Ocean State Theatre's DAMN YANKEES Opens Next Week

Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC), which recently completed its fourth season in its comfortable, stadium-style theatre in Warwick, is proud to open their summer season on July 6 with the Tony Award-winning musical comedy, Damn Yankees.

Not just a popular phrase said by New England baseball fans, Damn Yankees is also one of the most popular musicals of all time. Joe Boyd hates the Yankees and wishes he could help his hapless Senators win the pennant. Enter The Devil himself who gives him the chance to realize his dream... but there is always a price. Damn Yankees boasts an exceptional score which includes the rousing "Heart," the sentimental "A Man Doesn't Know," the seductive "Whatever Lola Wants," and the bat-swinging, foot-stomping "Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, Mo." Filled with dancing baseball players, a singing manager, a soft-shoe devil, and of course, Lola, the temptress, this musical is full of singing, dancing, laughs and most of all, heart!

Producing Artistic Director Amiee Turner, returns to the helm after directing recent productions of Anything Goes, The Miracle Worker, It's a Wonderful Life and The Addams Family. Justin P. Cowan, who music directed OSTC productions of Gypsy, Guys and Dolls, Legally, Blonde: The Musical and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, returns as music director and MK Lawson, who choreographed The Winter Wonderettes and RENT during OSTC's inaugural season, returns as choreographer. Beau Allen, whose Broadway credits include Jesus Christ Superstar, Two Gentlemen of Verona, and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, will be appearing for the first time with OSTC in the role of Applegate, with Lauren Gemelli, who returns to OSTC (The Sound of Music, 42nd Street, Guys and Dolls, Meet Me in St. Louis), directly from the national tour of Chicago, in the role of Lola. Originally from Cumberland, RI, Matt Gibson will be making his OSTC and home state professional debut in the role of Joe Hardy, with the role of Meg Boyd being played by Sally Ann Swarm, who is also making her OSTC debut. Jef Canter, who won rave reviews for his portrayal of Clarence in OSTC's holiday production of It's a Wonderful Life, returns in the role of Coach Van Buren and Kristen Arsenault, who toured for three years with the Broadway National Tour of CATS, will play the role of Gloria. Rounding out the cast are Joseph Arsenault of Easton, Eileen Cannon and Tamra Stephenson of NY, Chris Chianesi of Cranston, John Costa of New Bedford, Joe DeLeo of East Greenwich, Sarah Dunn of Wickford, Diego Guevara of Central Falls, Greg LoBuono and Monica Moran-LoBuono of Boston, Greg London of South Carolina, Brian-Barry Pereira of Swansea, Grace Romanello of Wakefield, Sam Stone of East Providence, Helena Tafuri of North Kingstown and Tobias Wilson and Glenn Matthew Zienowicz of Providence.

Damn Yankees will be presented at Ocean State Theatre from July 6 - 24. Previews are scheduled for Wednesday, July 6 and Thursday, July 7 at 7:30 pm. All other performances will be held Tuesday (except July 12), Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm, with matinees at 2:00 pm on Sundays. Special matinees also scheduled for Thursday, July 14 and Saturday, July 23 at 2:00 pm. Conducting Conversations Live!, a free post-show discussion hosted by WCRI's Mike Maino, will follow the 2pm performance on Sunday, July 10.

The theatre is located at 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI. Tickets are $39 for preview performances and $39-$59 for all other performances. Discount rates for groups of 20 or more are available by calling (401) 921-1777 x112. $30 "Rush" tickets are available on a limited basis one hour prior to curtain on the day of the performance. Tickets are on sale at the box office Monday through Friday from 12 noon - 6:00 pm, Saturdays from 12 noon - 4:00 pm, and from 12 noon until curtain time on performance days. Tickets are also available online 24 hours a day at www.OceanStateTheatre.org and via telephone during normal box office hours by calling (401) 921-6800.

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