Damn Yankees Broadway Revival 2027: Complete Guide, Cast, Theatre
Damn Yankees Returns to Broadway in 2027: Complete Guide, Reimagined Script, Cast
An exhaustive exploration of the upcoming 2027 Broadway revival of Damn Yankees at the Marquis Theatre—starring Tony Award winner Neil Patrick Harris, Julianne Hough, and Austin Scott, directed by Sergio Trujillo in official partnership with Major League Baseball.
For the first time in over thirty years, America’s favorite musical pastime is sliding back onto the Great White Way in a newly reimagined, high-energy revival. Damn Yankees—the seven-time Tony Award-winning Golden Age classic by Richard Adler, Jerry Ross, George Abbott, and Douglass Wallop—returns to Broadway at the Marquis Theatre in spring 2027. Directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Sergio Trujillo (Ain’t Too Proud, On Your Feet!), this modernized production brings fresh urgency, a revised historical timeline, and an unprecedented sports-entertainment collaboration to 46th Street.
Leading the star-studded revival cast are Emmy and Tony Award winner Neil Patrick Harris as the devilish Mr. Applegate, Emmy Award winner and dancer Julianne Hough as the seductive temptress Lola, and Broadway favorite Austin Scott (Hamilton, Girl From the North Country) as the baseball phenom Joe Hardy. In a historic theatrical milestone, the production is officially partnered with Major League Baseball (MLB), marking the first time the league has served as an active producing partner on a Broadway musical. Below is the complete, comprehensive guide to the 2027 Broadway return of Damn Yankees, detailing its updated story, creative team, star cast, production timeline, theater information, and key facts to know before taking your seat.
Damn Yankees 2027 Broadway Revival: Essential Facts
- Broadway Venue: Marquis Theatre (210 West 46th Street, New York, NY)
- First Preview Performance: Wednesday, March 24, 2027
- Official Opening Night: Tuesday, April 20, 2027
- Current Ticket Sales Window: Booking through November 14, 2027
- Director & Choreographer: Sergio Trujillo
- Music & Lyrics: Richard Adler and Jerry Ross (with additional lyric contributions by Tony winner Lynn Ahrens)
- Book Adaptation: Reimagined by Sergio Trujillo from the original book by George Abbott and Douglass Wallop
- Key Producers: Lia Vollack, Haley Swindal (granddaughter of legendary Yankees owner George Steinbrenner), Julie Boardman, and Major League Baseball
- Lead Stars: Neil Patrick Harris (Applegate), Julianne Hough (Lola), Austin Scott (Joe Hardy)
- Historical Setting Shift: Updated from the 1950s Washington Senators to the year 2000 Baltimore Orioles vs. the New York Yankees
Four Updates you need to Know About the 2027 Broadway Revival
The 2027 Broadway revival of Damn Yankees isn’t just a nostalgic restaging—it is a bold, modern reinterpretation tailored for contemporary audiences. Here are the ten defining elements of this new production as highlighted by New York Theatre Guide and Broadway producers:
1. Updated 21st-Century Setting
While the original 1955 musical took place during the 1950s Washington Senators era, director Sergio Trujillo updated the timeline to the year 2000. During this period, the New York Yankees were coming off three consecutive World Series titles. Because the original Washington Senators no longer exist in the American League, the revival changes Joe’s home team to the Baltimore Orioles, creating a fiery East Coast rivalry against the Yankees.
2. Expanded Backstory & Negro Leagues Legacy
In this revival, Joe Boyd and Joe Hardy are Black men. The updated narrative incorporates a powerful backstory: Joe’s father was a star player in the legendary Negro Leagues who was barred from playing in the Major Leagues due to mid-century racial prejudice. This raises the dramatic stakes as Joe carries his own dreams, his father’s unfulfilled legacy, and the pride of Baltimore.
3. Official Major League Baseball Partnership
Major League Baseball has joined the production as an official producing partner. Co-lead producer Haley Swindal is the granddaughter of legendary long-time Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. The creative team hired an official MLB consultant to train the cast in authentic professional baseball mechanics.
4. Additional Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
All of Richard Adler and Jerry Ross’s classic showstoppers—including “Whatever Lola Wants,” “Heart,” “Shoeless Joe,” and “Two Lost Souls”—remain central to the show. Tony Award-winning lyricist Lynn Ahrens (Ragtime, Once On This Island) provided select additional lyrics to seamlessly align the classic score with the updated book.
Updated Plot Synopsis: Baltimore’s Quest for Glory
Set at the turn of the millennium in 2000, Damn Yankees follows middle-aged diehard baseball fan Joe Boyd. Frustrated by watching the juggernaut New York Yankees dominate baseball while his beloved Baltimore Orioles struggle at the bottom of the division, Joe makes a desperate off-hand claim: he would give his soul to see a powerhouse hitter lead Baltimore past the Bronx Bombers.
Suddenly, the smooth-talking Mr. Applegate (Neil Patrick Harris) appears in Joe’s living room. Applegate offers Joe the deal of a lifetime: he will transform him into a 22-year-old superstar athlete named Joe Hardy (Austin Scott), capable of smashing home runs and leading Baltimore to the pennant. Joe accepts, but insists on an escape clause allowing him to return to his old life and wife, Meg, by 9:00 PM on September 24.
As Joe Hardy takes the league by storm, Applegate realizes Joe still longs for his wife Meg. To secure Joe’s soul permanently, Applegate summons his top demonic assistant—the stunning, charismatic Lola (Julianne Hough)—to seduce Joe and erase his past. However, Joe’s genuine integrity and deep love for his wife touch Lola’s heart, turning her from seductress to ally. Together, they navigate Applegate’s devilish traps as the Orioles face the Yankees in a high-stakes final game for the pennant.
New Revival Cast & Lead Character Breakdown
The 2027 Broadway revival unites star power from television, dance, and musical theater:
| Character Name | Character Description | 2027 Broadway Revival Star |
|---|---|---|
| Mr. Applegate | The charismatic, sharp-witted Devil in modern executive clothes. | Neil Patrick Harris |
| Lola | The stunning, world-famous 172-year-old seductress who falls in love with Joe’s integrity. | Julianne Hough |
| Joe Hardy | The 22-year-old powerhouse slugger carrying his father’s Negro Leagues legacy. | Austin Scott |
| Joe Boyd | The middle-aged Baltimore fan whose devotion triggers the supernatural bargain. | To be announced |
| Meg Boyd | Joe’s loving, loyal wife whose devotion proves stronger than demonic contracts. | To be announced |
| Gloria Thorpe | A tenacious 2000s sports journalist determined to uncover Joe’s secret identity. | To be announced |
| Benny Van Buren | The hard-pressed manager trying to lead his squad to victory (“You Gotta Have Heart”). | To be announced |
Production History: Arena Stage to the Marquis Theatre
The Arena Stage Sold-Out Tryout
The reimagined adaptation of Damn Yankees was developed and tested during a sold-out run at the prestigious Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. Under Sergio Trujillo’s direction, the regional production refined the script updates, integrated the Negro Leagues backstory, and proved that the updated setting resonated strongly with modern theatergoers.
Marquis Theatre Engagement Details
Opening in spring 2027 at the Marquis Theatre inside the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square, Damn Yankees marks the first Broadway revival of the musical since the 1994 production starring Bebe Neuwirth and Victor Garber. The Marquis Theatre offers 1,611 seats, modern elevator access, and ideal sightlines for large-scale musical production numbers.
Song List: Classic Score & Updated Lyric Highlights
| Song Title | Song Type & Scene Context | 2027 Featured Performers |
|---|---|---|
| “Six Months Out of Every Year” | Suburban Baseball Anthem | Meg, Joe Boyd & Ensemble |
| “You Gotta Have Heart” | Locker Room Pep Talk Showstopper | Benny Van Buren & Orioles Players |
| “Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, Mo.” | High-Energy Athletic Dance Number | Gloria Thorpe, Joe Hardy & Ensemble |
| “A Little Brains, A Little Talent” | Lola’s Character Seduction Solo | Julianne Hough |
| “Whatever Lola Wants (Lola Gets)” | Iconic Latin Seduction Tango | Julianne Hough & Austin Scott |
| “Those Were the Good Old Days” | Comedic Devil Soliloquy | Neil Patrick Harris |
| “Two Lost Souls” | Sultry Night Club Duet | Julianne Hough, Austin Scott & Ensemble |
Original 1955 vs. 2027 Revival Comparison
Original 1955 Production
- Timeline: Mid-1950s Golden Age
- Baseball Team: Washington Senators
- Lead Stars: Gwen Verdon, Ray Walston, Stephen Douglass
- Original Director: George Abbott
- Choreography: Bob Fosse
2027 Broadway Revival
- Timeline: Year 2000 Millennium Era
- Baseball Team: Baltimore Orioles vs. NY Yankees
- Lead Stars: Neil Patrick Harris, Julianne Hough, Austin Scott
- Director & Choreographer: Sergio Trujillo
- Official Partner: Major League Baseball
Reporting, cast data, performance metrics, and show information compiled from BroadwayDirect, Broadway.com, New York Theatre Guide, MLB.com, BroadwayWorld, and TheatreGold Archives.
Explore Authentic Broadway Memorabilia
Discover historic Playbills, rare opening night programs, and authentic theatrical souvenirs from Damn Yankees and classic Broadway revivals at TheatreGold’s store:
