Show guide
Damn Yankees
Damn Yankees is the classic baseball comedy that asks how far a devoted fan might go for a pennant, wrapping a Faustian bargain in Golden Age Broadway charm.
- Broadway premiere
- 1955
- Music by
- Adler & Ross
- Genre
- Golden Age
- Setting
- 1950s
Damn Yankees: quick answers
What is Damn Yankees about?
- Damn Yankees is a modern Faust story: middle-aged Joe Boyd, a long-suffering Washington Senators fan, sells his soul to the devilish Mr. Applegate to become the young slugger Joe Hardy and lead his team past the New York Yankees.
When did Damn Yankees open on Broadway?
- Damn Yankees opened on Broadway on May 5, 1955, at the 46th Street Theatre, moved to the Adelphi Theatre in 1957, and ran for 1,019 performances. A 1994 revival at the Marquis Theatre starred Bebe Neuwirth and Victor Garber, with Jerry Lewis later taking over as Applegate.
Is Damn Yankees a Golden Age musical?
- Yes. Damn Yankees opened in 1955, in the middle of Broadway's Golden Age, and won the Tony Award for Best Musical along with Tonys for Gwen Verdon, Ray Walston and Bob Fosse's choreography.
Where and when is Damn Yankees set?
- Damn Yankees is set in Washington, D.C., during a 1950s baseball season, as the Washington Senators chase the pennant against the New York Yankees.
Has Damn Yankees played in London's West End?
- Damn Yankees opened in London on March 28, 1957, at the London Coliseum and ran for 258 performances. A 1997 West End revival at the Adelphi Theatre starred Jerry Lewis as Applegate.
Is there a Damn Yankees movie?
- The 1958 film, directed by George Abbott and Stanley Donen, starred Tab Hunter as Joe Hardy, with Gwen Verdon and Ray Walston repeating their stage roles as Lola and Applegate. NBC aired a 1967 TV movie with Phil Silvers and Lee Remick.
The story of Damn Yankees
Set during a 1950s baseball season, the story follows a middle aged, devoted fan of a struggling team who makes a deal with a devilish figure to become a young star player capable of leading his club to victory over its powerhouse rivals. The bargain comes with a catch, and much of the show's comic and dramatic tension comes from the hero trying to outwit the terms of that deal.
It is a lighthearted, high spirited take on the classic sell your soul story, filtered through the very American obsession with baseball, underdog teams, and the dream of a championship season.
The music and the makers
The score was written by the songwriting team of Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, whose partnership produced some of the most memorable Golden Age Broadway scores before it was cut short. Their songs for this show blend brassy comic numbers with warmer ballads, capturing both the show's playful devil's bargain premise and its underlying sweetness.
The writing reflects the period's confident, tuneful approach to musical comedy, with songs designed to be immediately catchy while still serving the story's blend of romance, temptation, and team spirit.
Damn Yankees on Broadway
Damn Yankees became a beloved example of 1950s musical comedy, prized for its clever premise, its wit, and its ability to make baseball fandom feel universally relatable even to non fans. Its blend of devilish comedy and old fashioned romance made it a hit with audiences looking for smart, feel good entertainment.
The show has endured as a favorite for its irresistible mix of sports, comedy, and a memorable villainess character, and it continues to be revived for audiences who enjoy Golden Age musicals with a playful supernatural twist.
Damn Yankees: frequently asked questions
When did Damn Yankees open on Broadway?
It opened in 1955.
Who wrote the score for Damn Yankees?
The songwriting team of Richard Adler and Jerry Ross wrote the music and lyrics.
What is Damn Yankees about?
It follows a baseball fan who makes a deal with a devilish figure to become a star player and help his team win the pennant, set during a 1950s season.
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