Word: adler
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Damn Yankees (book by George Abbott and Douglass Wallop; music & lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross) involves most of the team that turned out The Pajama Game. This time baseball is their target, and with pretty nearly as happy results. Under George Abbott's direction, there is a constant sense of zip, an occasional effect of explosion. There is plainly a belief that all music aspires toward a brass band's exuberance, all locomotion toward a fire engine's clanging speed. And there is a very proper belief that one Gwen Verdon is the equal...
Just about a year ago intrepid Bostonians trooped out to see a new musical by two little-known composers, Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. The opening night audience had no special expectations, so that when the show turned out to be the best musical in years, they were pleasantly surprised and delighted with their find. This week, people will go to the Shubert to see the latest Ross-Adler musical with high hopes, expecting a fresh score with next month's Hit Parade in the overture. Damn Yankees won't let them down; it is a better show than Pajama...
...perennial losses. The fan reserve the right to cancel the bargain on one particular midnight in the fall. From there on, it is a contest between the devil, a Mr. Applegate, and the retreaded slugger. Having pushed out a host of good songs in the first act, Ross and Adler go home about half an hour before the musical ends, but the intricacies and humor of the plot carry the show effortlessly...
...scenery and costumes by William and Jean Eckart were authentic when they must be, fantastic whenever possible. The entire production had all the markings of Adler-Ross; George Abbett's flawless timing and pacc, a banjo in the orchestra, and a score of pearls dangling over a unique script. Damn Yankees, it seems safe enough to wager, will be around when the hurly burly's done, when the Series is lost...
...Pardoll says: "Ready, everyone." The stooped maestro in the wings slides back a small panel and looks out at Conductor Adler. Adler starts the prelude. Four minutes later the maestro murmurs, "Ready!", then gestures abruptly. The stagehand bends his back to the curtain rope, and the heavy, golden brocade parts, rises majestically...