History Theatre / DamnYankees

Adapted into a 1958 Creator/WarnerBros film, directed by George Abbott and Creator/StanleyDonen and starring Tab Hunter as Joe Hardy. It differs slightly from the plot of the original Broadway production but keeps choreographer Creator/BobFosse and most of the original cast, including Gwen Verdon as Lola, Creator/RayWalston as Applegate, Robert Shafer as Joe Boyd, Shannon Bolin as Meg, Russ Brown as Van Buren, and Rae Allen as Gloria.

* TheDevil: Applegate, though never explicitly stated.

* SoldHisSoulForADonut: The premise of the play is that a guy sells his soul to the Devil in exchange for his favorite baseball team winning the pennant. HilarityEnsues (and drama) when said guy becomes the star of the team as part of the pact.

The plot is a retelling of the classic [[Myth/{{Faust}} Faust legend]] set in 1950s Washington, D.C. It begins with the forty-something, baseball-obsessed real estate agent Joe Boyd at home one evening, watching his beloved Washington Senators lose to the hated New York Yankees (yet again) on television while ignoring his wife Meg. When she eventually retires and he continues reflecting on the Senators' woes, a mysterious gentleman suddenly appears to him, introducing himself as Applegate. Applegate offers Joe the fulfillment of his dreams: not only to have his favorite Senators win the pennant, but to lead them to the championship himself. Joe agrees, but only after negotiating an "escape clause" giving him the option to change his mind by September 24, near the end of the baseball season. After penning a goodbye note for his wife, Joe leaves his house suddenly twenty years younger.

Adapted into a 1958 Creator/WarnerBros film, directed by George Abbott and Stanley Donen and starring Tab Hunter as Joe Hardy. It differs slightly from the plot of the original Broadway production but keeps choreographer Creator/BobFosse and most of the original cast, including Gwen Verdon as Lola, Creator/RayWalston as Applegate, Robert Shafer as Joe Boyd, Shannon Bolin as Meg, Russ Brown as Van Buren, and Rae Allen as Gloria.

The hapless Senators are still cursing their losing streak when Applegate introduces them to his young protegé, Joe Hardy, and persuades them to let him practice. They are astounded by his batting and fielding power. Their manager, Benny Van Buren, remains mystified about Joe's background, but signs him up anyway. He is dubbed "Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, Mo." by reporter Gloria Thorpe, and his fame and career seem assured.

Applegate plots to spoil Joe's career through scandal, and through Gloria circulates a rumor that "Joe Hardy", whom nobody in Hannibal seems to know, might actually be a Mexican League player who took a bribe to throw a game. The Commissioner calls for a hearing, and a celebration being held in Joe's honor is interrupted. Joe will be unable to play until he clears himself.

Applegate plots to spoil Joe's career by scandal, and through Gloria circulates the rumor that "Joe Hardy," whom nobody in Hannibal seems to know, might actually be a Mexican League player who took a bribe to throw a game. The Commissioner calls for a hearing, and a celebration being held in Joe's honor is interrupted. Joe will be unable to play until he clears himself.

Applegate plots to spoil Joe's career by scandal, and spreads through Gloria a rumor that "Joe Hardy," whom nobody in Hannibal seems to know, might actually be a Mexican League player who took a bribe to throw a game. The Commissioner calls for a hearing, and a celebration being held in Joe's honor is interrupted. Joe will be unable to play until he clears himself.

The plot is a retelling of the classic [[Myth/{{Faust}} Faust legend]] set in 1950s Washington, D.C. It begins with the forty-something, baseball-obsessed real estate agent Joe Boyd at home one evening, watching his beloved Washington Senators lose to the hated New York Yankees (yet again) on television while ignoring his wife Meg. When she eventually retires and he continues reflecting on the Senators, a mysterious gentleman suddenly appears to him, introducing himself as Applegate. Applegate offers Joe the fulfillment of his dreams: not only to have his favorite Senators win the pennant, but to lead them to the championship himself. Joe agrees, but only after negotiating an "escape clause" giving him the option to change his mind by September 24, near the end of the baseball season. After penning a goodbye note for his wife, Joe leaves his house suddenly twenty years younger.

* RedAndBlackAndEvilAllOver: Applegate clothing usually has a red theme to it. Lola wears some red and has red hair.