Director/Choreographer/Dancer, Vickie Steen is hard at work putting the finishing touches on the rehearsals for the many dance numbers that add to the excitement and up beat nature of Porthole Players Spring production of "Damn Yankees".  Steen has been dancing and directing with Porthole Players since moving to Newport in 1994.  She currently lives with her husband in Depoe Bay.

James Ritzman is part of another 'family team' in this production of 'Damn Yankees'.  James' father, Lee Ritzman is playing a baseball player and is also the set designer.   As well as dancing in the show, James Ritzman will be 'heard' as the sports announcer.

Another fine dancer, Jennifer Haggerty, has worn many hats over the years as actress, assistant director and producer with Porthole Players.  Haggerty has won two awards for original screenplays.  She considers herself a storyteller by profession.  Haggerty works at the Newport Library and teaches at the Mouse Factory Preschool.

Misty Henderson has been singing and dancing in theater for 13 years starting out with a youth part in "The King and I" in 1981.  She has also appeared in "The Sound of Music", "Camelot", "Oliver" and the 1992 production of "Annie". Henderson sings with the Lincoln County Sweet Adeline's.  Her brother, Morgan Locklear, will appear in "Damn Yankees" as one of the Washington Senators ball players.

Gaby Teague has a love for dancing and entertaining that she is encouraged to pursue by her husband and two children, Casey who attends Newport High School and daughter, Carmen who is a freshman at the University of Oregon. Teague, most recently, was a singer and dancer in The Porthole Players 2003 production of "Annie".  She studies Tap and Jazz dancing at Dance and All that Jazz in Newport.

Peggy O'Callahan works at the Newport Parks and Recreations Center.  When asked, recently, she said taking part in live theater was on her life 'to do list'.  She thought this was a good time to get started and "Damn Yankees" was a good, upbeat vehicle to start out with.

"Damn Yankees", from the book by Douglass Wallop and George Abbott with music by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, will run week ends starting with April 9, 2004 and ending with a Sunday matinee April 25, 2004.  "Damn Yankees" will be sponsored in part by the City of Newport and the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts.

Copyright © March 27, 2004 by Anita Sue Andrews