A Benign ‘Damn Yankees’

Richard Adler and Jerry Ross’ 1955 “Damn Yankees” followed quickly on the heels of their first hit, “Pajama Game.” The score isn’t nearly as inventive, and the book by George Abbott and Douglas Wallop, though based on the Faust legend, seems rather ordinary today.

Middle-aged Joe Boyd lives half the year for baseball. When the devil, in the person of Mr. Applegate, offers Joe diamond glory in return for his soul, Joe jumps at the chance. Bingo. Suddenly Boyd is Joe Hardy, 22 years old and the greatest slugger of all time. Of course, Joe finagles his way out of paying Applegate his due, and all ends happily.

For the most part, director Terri Miller Schmidt’s staging at Huntington Beach Playhouse also ends happily. Her tempos are bright, and in the big numbers Damien Lorton’s musical direction is energetic. In some of the ballads the prerecorded orchestral score is a bit slushy, but when Joe’s team, the Washington Senators, gets into gear they’re fine.

Tyler Walz is stalwart and attractive as Hardy, Boyd’s young counterpart, and he has a sense of naivete that fits his character beautifully. Walz’s crystal-clear musical comedy tenor is just right for this material. As his nemesis Applegate, David Kinwald is a laid-back demon, with a twinkle in his eye when he isn’t staring bug-eyed at his satanic misjudgments. Kinwald’s gentle comic flair and ability to cause evil while looking genial gives his Applegate a natural feel.

Terry Allen Adkinson and Pam McDonald as the older Boyd and his wife are charming, with a nice chemistry between them that makes logical young Joe’s need to return to his real self. Both handle their vocal chores well, especially Adkinson. As Applegate’s ace-in-the-hole for controlling young Joe, Jill K. Harper’s Lola is sexy, with all the right moves, but she doesn’t have the belting voice that Lola’s torrid numbers need.

*

Joe’s team members are bright-faced and energetic, but Melanie Jacobson’s pale choreography for them is not as sturdy or macho as one would expect from a major league team. A couple of them stand out: John Gillies for his Puck-like sparkle, Edward C. Bangasser as the intent pitcher, and Mark J. Phillips, whose voice often rises above the others. Ken Jagosz is as gruff and down-to-earth as a team manager should be, but Wayne Dapser’s team owner is wooden, with line delivery that follows suit.

*

As a brash sports reporter, Adriana Sanchez has a solid conception of the style and type. But Mary-Pat Gonzalez and Sue Garber as the coy spinster Miller Sisters, who worship Joe, are allowed by the director to flutter their hands and mince across the stage in childish excess, like two 3-year-olds playing dress-up.

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* “Damn Yankees,” Huntington Beach Playhouse, 7111 Talbert Ave. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Ends May 31. $12-$15. (714) 375-0696. Running time: 2 hours, 35 minutes.

Tyler Walz: Joe Hardy

Terry Allen Adkinson: Joe Boyd

Pam McDonald: Meg Boyd

David Kinwald: Applegate

Jill K. Harper: Lola

Ken Jagosz: Benny Van Buren

Adriana Sanchez: Gloria Thorpe

John Gillies: Henry

Edward C. Bangasser: Smokey

Mark J. Phillips: Vernon

Wayne Dapser: Adam Welch

Mary-Pat Gonzalez: Sister Miller

Sue Garber: Doris Miller

A Huntington Beach Playhouse production of the musical by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. Book by George Abbott and Douglas Wallop. Produced by Bettie Muellenberg. Directed by Terri Miller Schmidt. Musical direction: Damien Lorton. Choreography: Melanie Jacobson. Scenic design: Chris Wuebben. Lighting: John Fejes. Costumes: Tom Phillips. Stage manager: Verlene Van Amber.