This year’s winter musical, “Damn Yankees,” is showing in Geiger-Reeves Hall on February 20, 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m. Be sure to tune in and witness the talent of our actors, singers, dancers, set and stage crew, production and management team and pit orchestra!
“Damn Yankees” originally premiered on Broadway in 1955 for 1,019 performances, and had a Broadway revival run in 1994. It follows “a frustrated fan of the hopeless Washington Senators who makes a pact with the Devil to help the baseball team win the league pennant” (IMDb). Peddie’s rendition of the musical stars Ethan Sbarro ’26 as Joe Hardy, Nathan Kim ’25 as Joe Boyd, Emily Crehan ’25 as Meg Boyd, Yanelly DeLeon ’25 as Lola and Brooke Truslow ’25 as Applegate. (If you don’t know who these characters are … don’t worry! This will all be revealed *WHEN* (not if) you come to watch the musical!)
Currently, the actors are working to perfect their performances and lines. During rehearsals, actors get to hone their skills in areas they have experience in, as well as gain insights into new ones. For a musical, skills involve theater acting, singing, dancing and strong group coordination. The musical is a perfect place to enhance all of these abilities while working with like-minded, passionate actors, singers and dancers. Participation is open to students of all skill levels, which makes it either an amazing place to explore a passion, or an ideal space to cultivate a new one.
Both the process and performance of the musical are unique, rewarding experiences like no others, and set participants up for success and continued interest in the future. River An ’27 said that “Peddie theater is one of my favorite things to both watch and participate in … I’ve learned so much and had a lot of fun, and it’s hard to believe there’s only a few weeks until opening night, but I’m excited to get to show everyone what we’ve been working on!”
The process is currently nearing its end, with the actors getting comfortable in their roles and preparing for the big stage. According to Chloé Cheng ’27, “[we’re doing] work-throughs, which is where we go through sections of the show but stop and restart over and over again, implementing different changes with the feedback of our director, Mr. C.” This results in thorough and perfected performances and encourages tight collaboration with all members of the musical. The progression to this stage is all the result of meticulous practice and planning on the management’s side, as well as the hard work of the cast and musical director Mr. C.
Meanwhile, Peddie’s set crew is working hard to prepare the set for the musical. Above is a picture taken during a “paint day,” which is where the members of set crew get together for a fun day to paint the set. Painting the set may take multiple days, and is tough but incredibly fun! When asked about the set crew’s activities, Mr. Lucs ’90, director of the set crew, said,“It’s going! The set is progressing well and we’re having a lot of fun.”
On set, students are guided to safely learn construction and stage-building skills. Set crew involves much hands-on work and can be tiring but, just as it does for the actors, results in an intensely rewarding experience. It also leaves participants with skills that can be incredibly useful in the future. Lastly, seeing one’s work on the stage definitely leaves one with a sense of accomplishment!
Set crew members also have the choice to work as part of the stage crew, and manage lighting, sound, follow-spots, etc. Other positions within the production crew include production stage managers, assistant directors, assistant choreographers, musical directors, prop masters, costume designers, dramaturg and more! They’re all integral facets of the musical and the production couldn’t happen without them.
Another unique part of the musical is the live pit orchestra, positioned under the stage. Situated at the base, the orchestra performs in real time, allowing the music to seamlessly enhance the onstage action. This group of students practice intensely every day and are all part of the reason why the musical is such a lively and wonderful affair.
Overall, this musical has so much love and work put into it, and it will be an amazing show! Remember — February 20, 21 and 22 in Geiger-Reeves at 7:30! BE THERE!
