NOTES FROM THE DIRECTOR...
In life, every so often, we are faced with choices that define who we are and what is important to us. These are the choices that shape our lives, as well as the lives of those around us. For example, this past year the most brilliant, beautiful, and important woman in my life chose to say “yes” when I asked her to be my wife. Another choice that affected my life with equal, if not greater, impact was Derek Jeter’s choice to retire from baseball.
I grew up watching Derek Jeter shine as shortstop for the New York Yankees. Together in the basement of my childhood home, my brother, dad, and I watched countless baseball games well past our bedtimes. It’s where we saw Jeter’s first career hit against the Mariners in 1995, gasped as he dove into the stands to catch a foul ball in the 12th inning against the Red Sox in 2004, and awed at “The Flip” in the 2001 ALDS. To us, #2 was nothing short of spectacular. Watching his last game with my brother and dad was bittersweet.
On first glance, Damn Yankees is a story about America’s pastime. It’s about the smell of freshly cut grass and a packed stadium on Opening Day. It’s the feeling of a hotdog in one hand, and a glove ready to catch a foul ball in the other. It’s the taste of Crackerjacks and peanuts.
But underneath the glamour of baseball, Damn Yankees is a love story. It’s about the choices Joe makes that define who and what matters most to him. His love for The Senators leads him to sacrifice his marriage, job, and life to beat those damn New York Yankees, just once. It isn’t until he leaves his wife behind that he realizes how much she mattered to him.
Damn Yankees teaches us to take advantage of what we have – and to recognize when we have it. I love baseball and the Yankees. I love the smell of fresh-cut grass and the sound of a packed stadium. But what I love most about baseball is the people I love it with. I’d be willing to bet that many of you can relate to Joe’s journey, too.
Thank you to the cast and crew, and their amazing families for your enthusiasm and flexibility (support). Thank you to the amazing staff who poured their passion and sacrifice into this production. No baseball team can win a World Series without a dedicated support system. Similarly, this production could not have come together without the combined efforts of so many people. I am incredibly proud of the work we’ve done together, as a team.
Enjoy the show and play ball!
