Neil Patrick Harris to Star in Damn Yankees Revival on Broadway

Broadway is heading back to the diamond. Producers Lia Vollack, Haley Swindal, and Julie Boardman announced the major revival, setting the classic musical’s first New York return in more than thirty years. Previews will begin on March 24, 2027 at the Marquis Theatre (210 W 46th St), timed just ahead of the first Yankees game of the season. Single tickets are on sale now at DamnYankeesBroadway.com.

Star-Studded Cast Takes the Stage

Harris leads the cast as Applegate, joined by Emmy Award winner Julianne Hough making her Broadway musical debut as Lola. Austin Scott, known for his work in Hamilton, rounds out the main trio as Young Joe Hardy. Hough is widely recognized for her television work on Dancing with the Stars.

For Harris, taking on the role has long been a theatrical aspiration. I've never ever done the big Broadway musical [with a] big ensemble and the big dance numbers, and I just wanted to… Harris said at a press conference at Yankee Stadium ahead of the announcement.

“Playing someone that’s devilish is always good. It’s always fun to be naughty…I want Applegate to be as alluring and as kind of puppet mastery as possible.”

Neil Patrick Harris, star of the upcoming Broadway revival

Moving the Story to the Year 2000 and the Baltimore Orioles

Originally premiering in 1955 with music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross and a book by George Abbott and Douglass Wallop, the musical is based on the 1954 novel The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant by Douglass Wallop. The show debuted on Broadway in 1955, winning seven Tony Awards including best musical. This new version features a reimagined book by Lucille Lortel Award winner Will Power and Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Doug Wright, alongside additional lyrics by Tony Award winner Lynn Ahrens. Following last autumn’s completely sold-out run at Washington, D.C.’s Arena Stage—which hauled in 13 Helen Hayes Award nominations, setting a record for that season’s musicals, and secured eight victories including Best Musical—the production’s creators undertook structural revisions aimed at contemporary audiences. The Washington Post called it a winning reinvention of a classic.

Set in 2000, this version of Damn Yankees sees impassioned Baltimore Orioles fan Joe Boyd make a deal with charming stranger Lola to give him and his team a second chance. This staging marks the first Broadway revival of the beloved musical since 1994, featuring fresh adaptations by award-winning writers Will Power and Doug Wright. Damn Yankees has always been one of our great American musicals, but I wasn’t interested in simply reviving it, says Trujillo.

Major League Baseball Partners With Production

In an unprecedented collaboration for any Broadway musical, Major League Baseball and its Emmy-winning production banner, MLB Studios, have joined the project as official partners. Lead producer Haley Swindal brings a distinct family tie to the project as the granddaughter of George Steinbrenner.

“We’re thrilled to partner with the entire team on the return of ‘Damn Yankees’ to Broadway, led by such great talents in Neil, Julianne and Austin.”

Noah Garden, deputy commissioner of business and media at Major League Baseball

The announcement came to light during a press gathering at Yankee Stadium, scheduled for the same day the Yankees faced the Orioles right before their final regular-season matchups ahead of the playoffs, though severe weather forced the game’s cancellation. On Sunday, the Tony-winning performer traveled to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx for a press gathering unveiling the revival, accompanied by fellow cast members Julianne Hough and Austin Scott, who have taken on the roles of Mr. Applegate’s seductive assistant Lola and the susceptible young baseballer Joe Boyd.