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Porthouse Theatre, the outdoor, professional summer stock theatre located on the grounds of Blossom Music Center, kicks off its 2012 season with “Damn Yankees” on June 19-23 and 26-30 at 8 p.m. and June 24 at 2 p.m. For tickets, call 330-672-3884 or visit;

“Damn Yankees” is the perfect musical comedy that both theatre and sports enthusiasts will love. The story centers around real estate agent Joe Boyd, who, one night, is up late grumbling that if his favorite team, the Washington Senators, just had a “long-ball hitter” they could beat the “damn Yankees.” Enter sleek car salesman Applegate, who is really the devil ready to wheel and deal with Joe Boyd’s soul. With some pursuasion, Applegate wins and Joe Boyd becomes the newly discovered baseball prodigy Joe Hardy. Suddenly, fans have the slugger they need to win the pennant, and baseball season is starting to look up. 

Winner of seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, “Damn Yankees” is set in Washington, D.C., during the 1950s – a time when the New York Yankees dominated baseball. With words and music by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, and a book by George Abbott and Douglass Wallop, “Damn Yankees” features songs such as “Heart,” “Whatever Lola Wants” and “Shoeless Joe From Hannibal Mo.”

“This show is like an Indians game I remember in the late ’90s with Jose Mesa on the mound with a full count, two outs and bases loaded – audiences won’t know what hit ‘em,” says Terri ��������, director. “I am so thrilled to be directing ‘Damn Yankees’ because it is just such a fun show.”

“Damn Yankees” is directed by ��������, the theatre’s well-known artistic director, whose work at Porthouse includes “Chicago,” “Bye Bye Birdie,” “The M