Arena Stage's premiere of a new adaptation of Richard Adler, Jerry Ross, George Abbott, and Douglass Wallop's Damn Yankees begins performances September 9. With a revised book by Will Power (Fetch Clay, Make Man) and Doug Wright (Good Night, Oscar; I Am My Own Wife) and new additional lyrics by Lynn Ahrens (Ragtime), the production is directed by Sergio Trujillo, who has also choreographed. The production will run through November 9.

The Faustian tale, based on Wallop's novel The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant, sees a middle-aged baseball fan sell his soul to the devil to become the ultimate baseball star his team needs to go all the way. The 1955 original Broadway production was choreographed by Bob Fosse and starred Gwen Verdon, introducing such now-iconic songs as "Whatever Lola Wants" and "Who's Got the Pain."

This revision will retain the original score, with a book "gently re-tooled for its first major revival in the 21st century," moving the action from the struggling Washington Senators baseball team to the turn-of-the-century Yankees lineup, who dominated the sport with three back to back World Series wins.

Led by two-time Tony Award nominee Rob McClure as Applegate, Ana Villafañe as Lola, and Tony Award nominee Jordan Donica as Joe Hardy, the production features a deep roster of heavy hitters, including Grammy nominee Quentin Earl Darrington as Joe Boyd, Bryonha Marie as Meg Boyd, Alysha Umphress as Gloria Thorpe, Nehal Joshi as Van Buren, Keenan McCarter as Welch, Rayanne Gonzales as Sister, and Sarah Anne Sillers as Doris.

They are supported by Giuseppe Bausilio, Raúl Contreras, Deanna Cudjoe, John Michael Fiumara, Danielle Marie Gonzalez, Michael Harmon, Ryo Kamibayashi, Georgia Monroe, J Savage, Justin Showell, Kevin Munhall, Jordyn Taylor, Drake Leach, and Dani Spieler.

“Placing this classic musical in the 2000s-era Yankees dynasty we all remember so well has been thrilling. Our goal has been to honor the show’s heart while bringing its characters, rhythms, and spirit into the modern age,” shared Trujillo in a previous statement. “This version is bold, fresh, and rooted in a contemporary cultural understanding. I’m so proud to be sharing this work at Arena Stage, a place that celebrates both legacy and innovation.”

The plot is now describes as follows: "Set against the backdrop of the early 2000s Yankees dynasty, when the Bronx was home to a seemingly unbeatable lineup of MLB superstars, a die-hard baseball fan makes a deal with the devil to help his rival team clinch the pennant, only to find himself torn between fame, temptation, and the life he left behind."

Trujillo leads a championship-caliber team of creatives including set designer Robert Brill (Hell’s Kitchen), costume designer Linda Cho (The Great Gatsby), lighting designer Philip S. Rosenberg (BOOP! The Musical), sound designer Walter Trarbach (Water for Elephants), projection designer Peter Nigrini (Beetlejuice), wig and hair designer Charles G. LaPointe (Death Becomes Her), illusion designer Paul Kieve (Matilda), score supervisor David Chase (Elf), music supervisor and arranger Greg Anthony Rassen (Bandstand), orchestrator Doug Besterman (Death Becomes Her), music director Adam Rothenberg (Sunset Boulevard), associate director Marc Tumminelli, associate choreographer Brandt Martinez (Illinoise), and associate music director Dean Balar.

New York casting is by The TRC Company's Tara Rubin and Merri Sugarman, and D.C. casting is by Raiyon Hunter. The production stage manager is Christi B. Spann and the assistant stage managers will be Stefania Giron Zuluaga and Sara Gehl.

This production is presented by arrangement with Haley Swindal and Julie Boardman.

For more information, visit ArenaStage.org.