New Candlelight Theatre Presents DAMN YANKEES, Opens 9/16

This Fall New Candlelight Theatre (NCT) will present the 7 time TONY Award winning musical, including Best Musical, Damn Yankees. This musical comedy about a struggling baseball team and their quest to win the Pennant against all odds is the perfect event for the baseball playoff season. The story follows Joe Boyd, a middle-aged baseball fan, who sells his soul to the devil (a charming but devious Mr. Applegate) for a chance to lead his favorite team to victory against the New York Yankees. The devil then turns Joe Boyd into Joe Harding- a younger more athletic version of himself and the journey begins. Uplifting songs such as "You Gotta Have Heart" will fill the stage and have your toe's tapping the whole ride home. Opening on September 16, 2011, Damn Yankees will run for 6 weeks and close on October 23, 2011.

NCT will also be partnering during the run of Damn Yankees with "Yes U Can" Corporation, a nonprofit devoted to bringing awareness and opportunities for physical activities to people with limited mobility and disabilities. By mentioning "Yes U Can" or entering the code Yes-U-Can online, $5.00 of each adult ticket purchased will be donated to this outstanding organization.

Leading the cast and making his NCT debut is Chris Stevens as Joe Hardy. Mr. Stevens is no stranger to the stage having played many leading roles including: Jamie in The Last Five Years, Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls and Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie. Following Damn Yankees, Mr. Stevens will be performing as Rum Tum Tugger in the National Tour of CATS.

Taking on the role of the devilish Mr. Applegate is NCT regular and Barrymore Nominee, Patrick O'Hara. Mr. O'Hara was most recently seen as Mr. (Daddy) Warbucks in NCT's Summer production of Annie. 2011 marks his 5th season with NCT, having debuted in Grease! as the lecherous Vince Fontaine. His role of the hapless Amos Hart in Chicago-The Musical earned him a Barrymore nomination in 2007. An actor of musicals and straight plays, Mr. O'Hara has performed regionally at theaters such as Delaware Theatre Company and City Theater Company as well as The Grand Opera House, alongside 30 Rock's Keith Powell in The Boys Next Door.

Two additional NCT regulars, Angela Bates Majewski and Kaylan Wetzel Acon, are splitting the role of Mr. Applegate's seductive assistant, Lola. The remaining cast includes: Robert Bader as Joe Boyd, Janet Wilkie as Meg Boyd, Dewey Oriente as Van Buren, Anastasia Bokas as Gloria Thorpe, Paul Goodman as Welch, Russell Matthews as Rocky, David Snyder as Smokey, Peter Briccotto as Vernon, Dan Sanchez as Sohovik, Michael Angelini as Henry, David McConney as Linville, Rob Rodriguez as Bouley, Stephen Stonis as Lowe, Victoria Healy as Sister and Colleen McGinnis as Doris.

The production staff includes Director and Lighting Designer Chris Alberts, Musical Director Clint Williams, Scenic Designer Jeffrey Reim, Choreographer Angela Bates Majewski, Costume Designer Linda Reilly, Wig Designer Freda Carson and Production Manager Jackie Alberts.

New Candlelight Theatre is located just minutes north of downtown Wilmington, DE and 20 minutes south of Philadelphia. One of the few remaining Dinner Theaters on the East Coast, New Candlelight Theatre has been thrilling audiences for over 40 years. Damn Yankees will show Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons. Select Thursday evenings and Wednesday matinees are also available. All tickets include dinner and show and are $55 for adults, $32 for children 12 and under. Special PHan Appreciation Fridays are September 30th and October 21st. Call or visit online at www.nctstage.org for more details.

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