Neil Patrick Harris and Julianne Hough to Lead MLB-Backed 'Damn Yankees' Revival in 2027

Key points

• Neil Patrick Harris will star as Applegate, with Julianne Hough playing Lola in her first Broadway musical and Austin Scott as Young Joe.
• The production will begin previews at the Marquis Theatre on March 24, 2027, with an official opening night on April 20, 2027.
• Major League Baseball and MLB Studios are partnering with the production, marking the first time a major sports league has officially partnered with a Broadway musical.
• The revival features a new book by Will Power and Doug Wright, with additional lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and is directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Sergio Trujillo.
• The story has been updated to the early 2000s, focusing on the Baltimore Orioles instead of the Washington Senators, and includes a new storyline involving the Negro Leagues.

Background

The original 'Damn Yankees' debuted on Broadway in 1955, winning seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. It was last revived on Broadway in 1993. The new adaptation follows a sold-out engagement at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. last fall, which earned 13 Helen Hayes Award nominations. This revival is part of a broader cultural moment where sports and theatre are intersecting, following events like 'Hamilton' celebrating its 10th anniversary at Yankee Stadium and Broadway performers joining the Savannah Bananas.

How outlets are covering it

Playbill and Variety both emphasize the historic nature of the partnership between Major League Baseball and the Broadway production, with Variety highlighting that lead producer Haley Swindal is the granddaughter of former Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. The Independent focuses on Julianne Hough's transition from 'Dancing with the Stars' to Broadway, noting her dance expertise. Playbill and Variety both quote director Sergio Trujillo on the decision to update the story to the early 2000s and swap the Washington Senators for the Baltimore Orioles to create a 'David and Goliath' narrative and incorporate Black baseball history. Austin Scott noted that Yankees player Aaron Judge inspired his physicality for the role of Joe, a detail highlighted by Playbill.

Why it matters

This revival marks a significant cultural convergence between two major American entertainment institutions, potentially broadening the audience for Broadway musicals and introducing a new generation to a classic show. The updated storyline and diverse casting aim to make the 1955 original more relevant to contemporary audiences, while the MLB partnership could set a precedent for future collaborations between sports leagues and theatrical productions.

What to watch

Further casting announcements are expected in the coming months. The production will begin previews at the Marquis Theatre on March 24, 2027, with an official opening night on April 20, 2027, coinciding with the start of the MLB regular season.