Lola Gets What She Wants in "Damn Yankees"

Lola Gets What She Wants in the "Damn Yankees"

The Greek community was well represented over the past two weekends in Richmond, MI. Danielle Caralis, starred as Lola in the Musical, Damn Yankees at the Richmond Community Center for the Performing Arts. Don Bischoff directed the cast and the production was the first of four for the Richmond Community Theatre (RTC) 2006-2007 season.

The audience enters the quaint converted Congregational Church and as the lights dim, are greeted by two wonderfully talented youngsters who open the performance with the classic Abbott and Costello, "Who's on First?" comedy skit. The announcer shouts, "Lets all stand and join the team in the National Anthem." The full house obediently stands and together with the cast begins the performance. The audience is also called on to participate in a seventh inning stretch, with the delivery of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game." Hot dogs and peanuts were also available in the transformed "concession area."

Damn Yankees, Words and Music by Richard Adler and Douglas Wallop, is set in the 1950's. The hometown baseball team, the Washington Senators are about to play their archrivals, the New York Yankees, when a middle aged baseball fanatic, Joe Boyd trades his soul to the Devil for a chance to lead his favorite team to victory for the American League pennant. He is magically transformed into a young baseball sensation, Joe Hardy. Joe with the help of the Devil, transforms the hapless Senators to a winning team, however, realizes the true worth of the life he left behind. The Devil realizes he might lose his bid for Joe's soul and decides to tempt him with the vixen, Lola, to tempt him away from the straight and narrow.

Caralis, a veteran performer strutted her stuff with the best of them as the Devil's assistant, Lola. Her rendition of "Lola Gets What She Wants" was lustily presented with the aplomb of a Broadway star. Her obvious passion for the performance was evident and the audience was transfixed. Caralis has performed with the RTC before and was cast as Rizzo in the acclaimed musical, Grease.

Rehearsals for the performance began in July and the cast really jelled. Music was provided by a five piece combo, led by pianist, Charlotte Beach. "They actually sound like a full orchestra." The sets were creative and moved smoothly from scene to scene, allowing the story to unfold before cheering "fans."

The music and the classic tunes transported the audience to the ole ball park and a time of innocence. The show stopper, You Got to Have Heart, was inspiring. Following the performance, cast and audience, met to exchange greetings and to share in the afternoon's success.

The boys of summer would be pleased. "For its One, Two, Three, Strikes You're Out at the Ole Ball Game." Among the audience were several friends and family members, photos are available in the Malista photo gallery.

Malista!