NU Theatre presents hit Broadway musical 'Damn Yankees'

From Nov. 10 to 20, fly balls, fielding and Faust will take center stage as NU Theatre presents the Tony-winning musical "Damn Yankees," with music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross.

The devil is in the details when the hapless Washington Senators take on rivals those "damn Yankees" in the race for the pennant. Much like the national pastime, "Damn Yankees" is an American classic, which hit a home run with audiences and critics after its Broadway premiere in 1955.

The production will be directed by Steven Braddock, director of NU Theatre, and choreographed by Terri Filips Vaughan, associate professor/choreographer, with music direction by Jason Bravo, voice lecturer. Set designer of the production is assistant professor David Dwyer, and costume designer is associate professor/costume designer Maureen Stevens. Light designer is James Hergenroder, while sound designer is Glenn Bernardis. Artist-in-residence/stage combat teacher/recruiter Adriano Gatto is assistant director, and theater studies design/technology student Primo Thomas of Binghamton is assistant scene designer.

"Damn Yankees" will be on stage in the Leary Theatre within the Elizabeth Ann Clune Center for Theatre, Clet Hall, at 7 p.m. on Nov. 10 and 17, and at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 11, 12, 18 and 19. Also, 2 p.m. matinees will be held on Nov. 12, 13 (with post-show discussion), 19 and 20.

Cast members include the following Niagara University theater studies performance majors: John Staton Jr. of Fort Myers, Fla. (Joe Boyd); Mike Van Dyke of Jacksonville, Fla. (Joe Hardy); Renee Landrigan of Lockport (Meg Boyd); Dave Spychalski of Holley (Applegate); Chelsey Zimmerman of West Seneca (Sister); Jessica Poulton of West Chester, Pa. (Doris); Nathan Andrew Miller (Van Buren), Alexei Carstensen (Lynch), and Alan Trinca (Vernon), of Buffalo; Alex A. Garcia of Greece (Rocky); Nathanial W. C. Higgins of Springville (Smokey); Andrew Adolf (Henry) and Alicia Ann Burning (Woman 2) of Lancaster; Eric Madia of Grand Island (Sohovik); Celine Keefe of Williamsville (Gloria Thorpe); Michael Wachowiak of Kenmore (Welch); Ashley Marie De Mar of Watertown (Lola); Erica Miranda Diederich (Miss Weston) and Bobby Hall (Linville) of Syracuse; Steven Foote of Ellicott City, Md. (Mickey); Alissa Sumerano of Hurley (Woman 1); Andrea Gollhardt of Amherst (Woman 3); Kerisa Bonville of Fairport (Woman 4); Jamie Lynn Nablo of Cheektowaga (Woman 5); and Emily Aguilar of Ithaca (Woman 6). Also, several children are in the ensemble: Havana Bancroft-Billings and Matteson Bancroft-Billings of Niagara Falls, and Charlie Hearn of Wheatfield.

To purchase tickets, visit http://theatre.niagara.edu/boxoffice/, call 716-286-8685 or email [email protected].