Steve Travis as Mr. Applegate, Chris Moore as young Joe Hardy and Lisa Meissner and the evocative Lola.
Based on the novel by David Wallop, “The Year the Yankees Lost,” the production of “Damn Yankees” is the story of lifelong Washington Senators fan, Joe Boyd and his obsession with baseball. As the play opens, Joe (played by Don Shuflin) longs to see the Senators win and goes so far as to say he’d give anything if they could have just one long ball hitter.
Enter Mr. Applegate, the devil, artfully portrayed by Steve Travis. Applegate offers to turn Joe into a 22-year old superstar who can help the Senators win. Joe accepts the offer, but with the stipulation that he have an escape clause should he want to escape. But when Joe announces he plans to exercise his escape clause, Applegate opts to bring in the big guns in the form of Lola, a temptress who has been the undoing of many a man who thought himself beyond temptation. Little do the loyal Senators’ fans know what struggle between good and evil is playing out behind the scenes as their hopes for a winning season begin to materialize.
When such memorable tunes as “You’ve Gotta Have Heart,” “Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets” and “Two Lost Souls” are combined with great choreography inspired by Bob Fosse, this show can’t be anything but a hit. Musical director, Dr. Mary Lee Scoville and Choreographer, Vickie Steen have combined their talents to provide us with a musical the whole family can enjoy.
Steve Travis, who gives a delightfully devilish performance as Mr. Applegate, has been active in community theater since the early 1990s. He has appeared in such productions as “Guys & Dolls,” “Bye, Bye, Birdie,” “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Gypsy.” Travis is a past president of the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts, Board of Directors and he produces the annual Lincoln County Student film festival. When asked what prompted him to audition for “Damn Yankees” he replied, “The devil made me do it!”
Chris Moore, who plays the young Joe Hardy, comes from a family that has always enjoyed theater and encouraged his desire to act. Before joining Porthole Players, Moore appeared with the Corps du Ballet, Contra Costa Musical Theater and Diablo Light Opera Company. He and his parents owned and operated a successful restaurant and casino on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe.
Lisa Meissner provides an impressive and believable Lola. Her string of credits includes TV commercials for large companies such as Ford, Miller Beer and U.S. Bank. She appeared in “Home for the Holidays,” a made for TV movie and “Nick of Time.” In addition to her work with the Porthole Players, she has acted with the Portland Civic Theater and The Musical Theatre Company.
For all of you who love baseball, or just enjoy a good musical, join the Porthole Players for their spring production of “Damn Yankees” and find out if Lola gets what Lola wants, whether Joe Hardy gets his soul back and if the Senators win the pennant. The show will run on weekends beginning April 9, 2004 and ending with a Sunday matinee April 25, 2004. Show time is 8 p.m. evenings and 2 p.m. for the matinee.
