THEATER REVIEW
Tuesday, February 26, 2002

By Barbara Trainin Blank
For The Patriot-News

From Faust to Dorian Gray, the theme of a man selling his soul for a goal otherwise unattainable is always compelling. Add to it, in musical comedy form, America's obsession with its national pastime, baseball, and you get "Damn Yankees."

Like many in his population demographic, middle-aged Joe Boyd would like to regain his youth and his dreams.

A fan so devoted he practically ignores his wife for six months out of the year, Boyd is willing to make a pact with the devil to see his beloved Washington Senators finally steal the pennant from the hated Bronx Bombers. Especially if he can play, too. Or is he?

It's lively finding out in Theatre Harrisburg's current production, its first staging of the hit Broadway show since 1979.

D. John Grace brings a lovely singing voice to the role of the older Joe (Boyd) -- as well as a poignancy that he might be drawing from personal experience. He portrayed the character's younger persona in the original Harrisburg production.

The younger Joe, destined for the Hall of Fame if he can keep his mind on the game, is played and sung wonderfully by Michael A. Zorger. Fresh from his role in last year's run of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat," the actor is funny and palpably confused when torn between love for his wife and raging hormones aroused by the woman who gets whatever she wants.

Amy Corl vamps it up as Lola, the witch with the body of a showgirl enlisted to distract Joe. New to the Theatre Harrisburg stage, she acts, sings and dances well. Corl seems almost relieved when allowed to reveal the character's deep-down heart of gold.

We rejoice in seeing Jay Miffoluf, so fine in dramatic roles, relish in the song-and-dance routine assigned to Mr. Applegate. But it's his devilish snapping of his fingers to produce fire, his dapper wearing of loud suits, and his acerbic delivery that give us the greatest joy.

It's always good to see David M. Fisher onstage, even if it's in the relatively small part of Senators manager Van Buren. We light up as his sad-sack face does, admonishing his team that "you gotta have heart."

Angela D. Ruediger, a choreographer as well as an actress, does a fine song-and-dance turn as Gloria Thorpe in the "Shoeless Joe" number. She has a little trouble making the transition to the nosy, hard-boiled side of the sports reporter but, eventually, makes it.

Though she looks young for Meg, Joe's middle-aged wife, Jody Brinley has the right singing and dramatic talents.

Marjorie Bicknell is nicely zany as the talkative of the two sisters -- Carol Koppelman Cohen plays the other -- who offer well-intentioned interference as Meg's friends.

Dave Robie and Nevin Buck lead a team of players who can belt out those tunes and tackle tough dance steps. M. Jon Whitson is funny as the team owner.

Direction by Thomas G. Hostetter and musical direction by a baseball cap-wearing Richard W. Askey enhance the musical's verve.

In a show known more for its campiness than the risquness of its seduction scene, there are a few moments here that are raunchier than they need to be. But choreographer Steven L. Flom has outdone himself for this show, producing some of the best and best-performed dance routines in recent community-theater memory.