PhotosPHOTO EXCLUSIVE: "Gotta Have Heart!" Behind the Scenes at Goodspeed's Red Sox Reinvention of Damn YankeesGoodspeed Musicals' production of Damn Yankees, adapted by Tony Award winner Joe DiPietro to set the classic in 1952 Boston and pit the Yankees against the Boston Red Sox, plays Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, CT. Cast member Joven Calloway takes us backstage!
By
Matthew Blank
May 30, 2014
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PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: "Gotta Have Heart!" Behind the Scenes at Goodspeed's Red Sox Reinvention of Damn Yankees
PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: "Gotta Have Heart!" Behind the Scenes at Goodspeed's Red Sox Reinvention of Damn Yankees
Goodspeed Musicals' production of Damn Yankees, adapted by Tony Award winner Joe DiPietro to set the classic in 1955 Boston and pit the Yankees against the Boston Red Sox, plays Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, CT. Cast member Joven Calloway takes us backstage!
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Meet the men's ensemble (Ryan Cavanaugh, Timothy Hughes, Alfie Parker Jr., Victor J. Wisehart, Sean Ewing, Danny Lindgren, Colin Scott Cahill, Michael Mendez, Steve Geary, and Joven Calloway.)
Joven Calloway
Here's our numbers...so call us maybe.
Joven Calloway
Ryan Cavanaugh is among many of the cast and crew who take advantage of our coffee station before a show.
Joven Calloway
The Goodspeed energy boost station
Joven Calloway
Some of our crew, Eric Hanson, Meg Dolben, and Jared Wolf, get prepped and head up to the stage.
We are always warmly greeted by Brad Spachman, John Riccucci, Heather Klein, and Rebecca Esquivel at the sign in board
Joven Calloway
Cut time: Gina Ferrucci keeps our hair looking period for the show.
Joven Calloway
Gina Ferrucci checks, preps, sets, and makes sure all the wigs are ready to go before every show.
Joven Calloway
Victor J. Wisehart has a tattoo covered before the show in preparation for our big towel scene!
Joven Calloway
Ryan Cavanaugh, Alfie Parker Jr. and the rest of the mens ensemble stretch and prepare for the show.
Joven Calloway
Tim Hughes and Alfie Parker Jr. engage in friendly banter with Danny Lindgren before the show. These boys like to joke and have fun while warming up!
Joven Calloway
Joven Calloway, Victor J. Wisehart, and the rest of the mens ensemble like to tell stories before the show.
Joven Calloway
Ryan Cavanaugh applauds Steve Geary for getting in costume super early - because he's cold.
Joven Calloway
Ron Wisniski heading to the dressing rooms - he usually stops by the to provide words of wisdom and pre-show encouragement
Joven Calloway
The mens ensemble get ready for Ron Wisniski's visit.
Joven Calloway
All joking aside, the cast loves that Ron stops by and encourages the cast.
Joven Calloway
Ann Arvia preps before the show… becoming Meg Boyd.
Joven Calloway
The finishing touches - Ann Arvia before the show.
Joven Calloway
The show is about to start and Meg Dolben makes the call – places!
Joven Calloway
Tim Hughes, Victor J. Wisehart, Danny Lindgren and Ron Wisniski take their places for the prologue.
Joven Calloway
Ann Arvia gives encouraging words to the men before the show.
Joven Calloway
Steve Geary and Colin Cahill wait for their cue for "Six Months Out of Every Year"
Joven Calloway
Joven Calloway, Sean Ewing, Michael Mendez, and Ryan Cavanaugh in the "spacious" backstage staircase waiting for "Six Months Out of Every Year" to start
Joven Calloway
Sean Ewing, Danny Lindgren, and Michael Mendez moments before their entrance
Joven Calloway
Stephen Mark Lukas prepares for his entrance in "Goodbye Old Girl" as young Joe Hardy
Joven Calloway
Ann Arvia and James Judy stealing our Hearts after "Goodbye Old Girl"
Joven Calloway
Ron Wisniski and James Judy relaxing before their next scene
Joven Calloway
Hair & Wig Supervisor, Gina Ferrucci helps get Lora Lee Gayer prepped and ready to become Gloria
Joven Calloway
Becoming Gloria - sounds like a new Lifetime movie - here Lora Lee Gayer gets ready
Joven Calloway
Ann Arvia keeping the things cool - by spraying Lora Lee Gayer!
Joven Calloway
Stephen Mark Lukas takes a moment before going back up to the stage.
Joven Calloway
Seventh inning stretch? Sean Ewing helps Alfie Parker Jr. stretch his splits before a big number
Joven Calloway
You gotta have…HEART: Joven Calloway, Steve Geary, Tim Hughes, and Alfie Parker Jr. get "covered up" for the big reveal.
Joven Calloway
Kristine Zbornik takes a moment before her hilarious entrance as sister.
Joven Calloway
Kristine Zbornik is ready for her closeup!
Joven Calloway
Ashley Simeone assists David Beach in getting dastardly devilish.
Joven Calloway
Riccucci helps Angel Reda get ready for her first entrance as the sexy vixen Lola.
Joven Calloway
Apprentice Laura Plikerd taking a moment in Riccucci's office. It is filled with historic Goodspeed pictures and memorabilia!
Joven Calloway
Michael Mendez, Ryan Cavanaugh, and Steve Geary take a social media break between numbers.
Joven Calloway
Just a couple doors down Ron Wisniski and James Judy take their version of a social media break and enjoy a good book or newspaper between numbers.
Joven Calloway
David Beach stops by the men's dressing room. He keeps everyone laughing on and offstage!
Joven Calloway
Allyce Beasley looking adorable before going onstage as Doris.
Joven Calloway
Two lovely, funny ladies! Kristine Zbornik and Allyce Beasley as Sister and Doris.
Joven Calloway
Angel Reda gets ready to seduce Joe Hardy in "Whatever Lola Wants."
Joven Calloway
Gina helps turn Angel Reda into the sassy seductress Lola.
Joven Calloway
Beware Angel Reda as Lola - you know what they say, what Lola wants, Lola gets!
Joven Calloway
I don't know what we'd do without the amazing, hardworking, and hilarious John Riccucci!
Joven Calloway
Ashley Simeone working hard to make sure our costumes are ready and waiting.
Joven Calloway
Sean Ewing, Danny Lindgren, and Tim Hughes relaxing before their next number.
Joven Calloway
View from the wings: Rocky (Michael Mendez) and Sohovic (Victor J. Wisehart) suit up just as the team gets another surprise visit from Lora Lee Gayer as Gloria.
Joven Calloway
Ron Wisniski often watches the show from the wings.
Joven Calloway
Three cheers for our swings! Ann Arvia praises Colin Cahill for his great work the first time he swung-in.
Joven Calloway
Alfie Parker Jr, Sean Ewing, and Joven Calloway get into places for "The Game"
Joven Calloway
Ready and waiting…and hungry (Sean Ewing, Joven Calloway, and Alfie Parker Jr.)
Joven Calloway
“Three Yankees fans walk into Fenway park…and the first guy says...” The men “listening intently” to Ryan Cavanaugh during intermission.
Joven Calloway
Say Cheese! Ryan Cavanaugh and Kristine Zbornik pose for the camera
Joven Calloway
Ann Arvia, John Riccucci, Michael Mendez and the men chatting in the men's dressing room.
Joven Calloway
The hilarious Devil himself, David Beach!
Joven Calloway
Tim Hughes and Steve Geary prepare for "Two Lost Souls."
Joven Calloway
Danny Lindgren takes a moment before his entrance
Joven Calloway
Rounding the corner, Victor J. Wisehart just before "Two Lost Souls."
Joven Calloway
Alfie Parker Jr. stretching before "Two Lost Souls."
Joven Calloway
The view from the stands as Angel Reda and the men perform Kelli Barclay’s inspired choreography.
Joven Calloway
Michael Mendez and Sean Ewing preshow
Joven Calloway
James Judy relaxing in his dressing room.
Joven Calloway
Blaine Tetlow and Laura Plikerd having some fun while working hard behind the scenes
Joven Calloway
Stephen Mark Lukas taking in the gorgeous views outside his window just before bows.
Joven Calloway
Tim Hughes and the team get into places for bows.
Joven Calloway
Company Manager, Kristan McLaughlin, and Production Sound Engineer, Greg McGuire, discussing important things backstage
Joven Calloway
Meet our awesome swings: Colin Cahill and Vanessa Dunleavy
Joven Calloway
Doing their swing homework - Colin Cahill and Vanessa Dunleavy are always taking notes
Joven Calloway
Vanessa Dunleavy with David Beach's daughter Sadie after the show.
Joven Calloway
Just a few of our many authentic props and costumes
Joven Calloway
Danny Lindgren understudies young Joe Hardy. Here he is going over his lines before his first time stepping into the role!
Joven Calloway
David Beach has his own methods of helping Danny Lindgren study up as young Joe Hardy.
Joven Calloway
Danny Lindgren and David Beach might be not be friends onstage but love each other offstage!
Joven Calloway
Colin Cahill, Vanessa Dunleavy, and Danny Lindgren – Bravo to all our swings/understudies
Joven Calloway
Goodspeed Alumni, Andie Beasom congratulates her beau Danny Lindgren for going on as young Joe Hardy.
Joven Calloway
Danny Lindgren and Andie Beasom enjoying the lovely walk back to the Artists Village
Joven Calloway
More rehearsal… Sean Ewing, Michael Mendez and Alfie Parker Jr.
Joven Calloway
Pre-show rehearsal: Sean Ewing, Michael Mendez, Ryan Cavanaugh, and Alfie Parker Jr.
Joven Calloway
Dan Pardo playing for our Swing's put in rehearsal.
Joven Calloway
PSM Brad Spachman giving notes to Sean Ewing, Michael Mendez, Victor J. Wisehart and Danny Lindgren during rehearsal
Joven Calloway
Colin Cahill during a put in rehearsal for "The Game."
Joven Calloway
Michael Mendez, Colin Cahill and Victor J. Wisehart rehearse "Heart" trio.
Joven Calloway
The ensemble men rehearsing "The Game."
Joven Calloway
Dance captain, Steve Geary makes sure even the crew is ready for Danny’s debut as young Joe Hardy
Joven Calloway
Inside understudy rehearsal for Danny Lindgren.
Joven Calloway
and finally … understudy Vanessa Dunleavy steps in as Lola for a performance!
Directed by Daniel Goldstein (Godspell) and choreographed by Kelli Barclay, performances continue through June 21. The musical kicks off the company's 2014 season.
The cast includes David Beach (Mamma Mia!, Urinetown, Moon Over Buffalo) as Applegate, Angel Reda (Chicago) as Lola, Stephen Mark Lukas (The Book of Mormon) as Joe Hardy, James Judy (Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Into the Woods) as Joe Boyd, Ann Arvia (Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast, Les Misérables) as Meg Boyd, Ron Wisniski (Something's Afoot, Me and My Girl, Finian's Rainbow) as Coach Van Buren, Lora Lee Gayer (Follies) as Gloria, Kristine Zbornik (A Catered Affair) as Sister and Allyce Beasley (La Cage aux Folles) as Doris. Rounding out the cast are Joven Calloway, Ryan Cavanaugh, Sean Ewing (West Side Story), Steve Geary (Contact, Aida, Miss Saigon, Cats), Timothy Hughes (Chaplin), Danny Lindgren, Michael Mendez (Chaplin), Alfie Parker Jr. (South Pacific) and Victor J. Wisehart. The swings are Colin Scott Cahill and Vanessa Dunleavy.
Here's how Goodspeed bills the musical: "Batter up! Just in time for baseball season comes the muscular musical comedy about a Red Sox super-fan who is transformed into a star slugger after he makes a deal with the devil — and his sexy associate, Lola. Goodspeed re-imagines a Broadway classic that swings for the fences, no matter which team you root for. In the game of love and baseball, you gotta have 'Heart' — but watch out for 'Whatever Lola Wants.'"
Damn Yankees is based on the novel "The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant" by Douglass Wallop and features words and music by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, a book by George Abbott and Wallop and a book adaptation for the Red Sox version by Tony Award winner DiPietro.
Other members of the creative team include scenic designer Adrian W. Jones, costume designer David C. Woolard, lighting designer Brian Tovar, sound designer Jay Hilton, music director Michael O'Flaherty and assistant music director William J. Thomas. Orchestrations are provided by Dan DeLange.
Damn Yankees is produced for Goodspeed Musicals by Michael P. Price.
For more information and tickets, call (860) 873-8668 or visit Goodspeed.org.
Lupita Nyong'o, Katrina Lenk, Jelani Alladin, and more were on hand to celebrate the October 31 opening night of Michael R. Jackson and Anna K. Jacobs' new musical.
