Great Plains Theatre kicks off its 21st Season with the musical comedy classic Damn Yankees at Abilene High School Auditorium, June 12 -21. Damn Yankees features music by Richard Adler and lyrics by Jerry Ross (The composing team behind The Pajama Game) and a book by George Abbott and Douglas Wallop, based on Wallop’s novel The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant. It tells the story of a middle-aged baseball fan who sells his soul to the devilish Mr. Applegate in order to become a great ball player to help his favorite team win the pennant. Comedy ensues when he tries to outwit the infernal fellow in an attempt to return home to his loving wife, with his soul intact. Damn Yankees is full of vibrant, memorable songs such as “Whatever Lola Wants,” “Heart,” and “Two Lost Souls.”
For tickets contact Great Plains Theatre at 785-263-4574. For further information about performance dates and times, as well as details about the rest of GPT’s exciting season, visit www.greatplainstheatre.com.
The production is directed by Great Plains Theatre’s Artistic Director Doug Nuttelman. Jonny Baird will serve as Music Director, with Pattie Mayhew as Assistant Music Director. Mark Warner will serve as Technical Director and Stage Manager. Becky Dibben will provide costumes, Brenna Downs will choreograph, and Danette Whiteley will play drums.
The large cast of local and out-of-town actors includes Chris Delay, Lisa Divel, Shera Haase, Melissa Ford, Tom Lancaster, Jordan Legaux, Patrick Moran, Josh Lehman, Tori Citro, Christian Sommers, Mark Robinson, Brenna Downs, Larry Divel, Shane Rogers, Joey Boos, Reagan Pender, Dan Morton, Matthew Tenpenny, William Hoshida, Sam Massey, Jordan Luty, Nick Wright, Joshua Young, Jackson Welsh, Elizabeth Collins, and Carly Graefe.
As part of the baseball excitement, we will be raffling off exciting prizes. Among the items up for grabs are four pairs of tickets to Kansas City Royals’ games, an autographed copy of the book Inside the Park by Willie Wilson, three autographed baseballs by 1985 World Series players (one by Bret Saberhagen, one Darryl Mottley, and the other by Frank White), and two banners that hung outside of “The K” during last year’s World Series playoffs.
On June 12, the opening night of Damn Yankees, GPT will be hosting a baseball inspired preshow dinner including hot dogs, potato salad, nachos, peanuts, and cracker jacks. The cost for the dinner is by donation. Location: East side of Abilene High School. Come help us celebrate America’s Favorite Pastime and enjoy a night of musical comedy.
Great Plains Theatre’s entire 2015 Season is graciously underwritten by ASTRA Bank, with Corporate Sponsorship provided by Brierton Engineering, Inc., First Bank Kansas, Holm Automotive Inc., and Pinnacle Bank.
