History Theatre / DamnYankees

The plot is a retelling of the classic [[{{Faust}} legend of Faust]] set in 1950s Washington, D.C. It begins with the forty-something Joe Boyd at home one evening, watching the Washington Senators lose to the Yankees 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 January 24. After leaving a note for his wife, he leaves his house suddenly twenty years younger.

* TheDanza: Choreographer Creator/BobFosse has a small role as Lola's singing and dance partner. Joe calls him "Fosse" as he exits the stage.

The plot is a retelling of the classic [[{{Faust}} legend of Faust]] set in 1950s Washington, D.C. It begins with the forty-something Joe Boyd at home one evening, watching the Washington Senators lose to the Yankees 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 is a real-estate man, and knows a deal when he sees one. After leaving a note for his wife, he leaves his house suddenly twenty years younger.

Not content with being a successful baseball player, Joe grows homesick and decides to rents a room at his own house. This infuriates Applegate, who absolutely distrusts domesticity and calls in his top home-wrecker, Lola, to seduce Joe with what she calls "the standard vampire treatment." But Joe prefers the company of his wife, who hardly recognizes him as her lost husband.

* DealWithTheDevil
* TheDevil: Applegate

* LouisCypher: Applegate
* NonIndicativeName: The story, which is focused on a fan of the ''Washington Senators'' making a DealWithTheDevil to make him a star to help them win the League Pennant, is named ''Damn Yankees.''

* SpeakOfTheDevil: "I'd sell my soul for one long ball hitter." Cue eerie music and Applegate's entrance.

* SuspiciouslySpecificDenial
--> '''Applegate''':If you're referring to the rumor that in reality he is Shifty [=McCoy=], I deny it emphatically.
* [[ThoseTwoGuys Those Two Girls]]: Sister and Doris Miller.
* TheVamp: Lola

A 1958 film version, starring Tab Hunter, was produced by Creator/WarnerBros. It varies slightly from the original plot but kept original choreographer BobFosse and most of the original cast, including Gwen Verdon as Lola, Ray Walston as Applegate and Shannon Bolin as Meg.

--->'''Meg:''' When we met in 1938/It was November/When I said that I would be his mate/It was December

A 1958 film version, starring Tab Hunter, was produced by WarnerBros. It varies slightly from the original plot but kept original choreographer BobFosse and most of the original cast, including Gwen Verdon as Lola, Ray Walston as Applegate and Shannon Bolin as Meg.

* CutSong: several, as usual. A few were used in the 1994 revival

* UnintentionalPeriodPiece: Besides being rooted in 50s baseball culture, the Senators left Washington after the 1960 season to become the Minnesota Twins. A new franchise named the Washington Senators replaced them in 1961. The new team continued the losing tradition, and eventually moved to the Dallas-Fort Worth area as the Texas Rangers in 1971.

* UnintentionalPeriodPiece: Besides being rooted in 50s baseball culture, the Senators left Washington after the 1960 season to become the MinnesotaTwins.

* DevilInDisguise: Applegate. Referencing, of course, ''[[HowDoYouLikeThemApples that particular apple]]'', the first temptation of man; [[TheVamp Lola]] is one of his newer ones.

* WhenTheClockStrikesTwelve: Joe has to exercise his escape clause before midnight on the twenty-fourth of September.

----

* WritingLines: An oral variant. Applegate punishes Lola for her [[MinionWithAnFInEvil conscientious failure to seduce Joe]] by asking her to repeat "Never feel sorry for anybody" one hundred times. She repeats the line, but with no show of remorse.

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 Joe is unable to play until he clears himself. As the hearings drag on through the second-to-last day of the season, Joe almost comes to exercising his escape clause and thereby redeeming his soul, when Meg and her friends rush into court and vouch for his background. Lola, having fallen out of Applegate's favor, comforts the vindicated but dejected Joe, and confides to him that she's as much of a lost soul as he is now.

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, is actually a Mexican League player who took a bribe to throw a game. The Commissioner calls for a hearing, and Joe is unable to play until he clears himself. As the hearings drag on through the second-to-last day of the season, Joe almost comes to exercising his escape clause and thereby redeeming his soul, when Meg and her friends rush into court and vouch for his background. Lola, having fallen out of Applegate's favor, comforts the vindicated but dejected Joe, and confides to him that she's as much of a lost soul as he is now.

* VillainSong: "Those Were the Good Old Days"

The next day, Washington is leading New York four to three. Applegate, more determined than ever to make Joe lose, uses his powers to turn Joe back into his old self while he is racing to catch a ball in the outfield. Joe miraculously manages to catch the ball, securing victory for the Senators, but as the champions celebrate, Joe Hardy is nowhere to be found. He is, of course, Joe Boyd once again, and free to return to his wife's arms. As Joe and Meg embrace and sing, Applegate appears again, promising him forgiveness and offers him a second chance to be a baseball hero, but his pleas fall on deaf ears.

A 1958 film version, starring Tab Hunter, was produced by WarnerBros. It varies slightly from the original plot but kept most of the original cast, including Gwen Verdon as Lola, Ray Walston as Applegate and Shannon Bolin as Meg.

A 1958 film version was produced by WarnerBros. It varies slightly from the original plot but kept most of the original cast, including Gwen Verdon as Lola, Ray Walston as Applegate and Shannon Bolin as Meg.

Later, the Senators play in the championship game. Applegate, delayed by Lola, is dismayed to see the Senators are winning and uses his power against the Senators, turning Joe back into his old self as he is trying to catch the ball in the outfield. Miraculously, Joe manages to catch the ball, securing victory for the Senators. And since Applegate released Joe of his own accord, Joe is free to go back to Meg. Applegate tries to entice him into another deal with a promise of World Series victory, but Lola points out his powers are useless against true love. Applegate and Lola descend back into hell and Joe and Meg are reunited.