Damn Yankees: Summer Encores production Megan Lawrence replaces Ana Gastayer

Megan Lawrence (Gloria) will join Sean Hayes (Applegate), Jane Krakowski (Lola), Cheyenne Jackson (Joe Hardy) and Randy Graff (Meg Boyd) in Damn Yankees, opening at New York City Center on 10 Jul 2008, following previews from 5 Jul and running through to 27 Jul 2008. A 10 Jul 2008 opening is planned.

Lawrence replaces Ana Gastayer; Ms. Gastayer has suffered a minor injury.

The musical also features Veanne Cox (Sister Miller), Michael Mulheren (Benny Van Bure) and P.J. Benjamin (Joe Boyd), Robert Creighton, (Smokey) Jimmy Smagula, (Rocky), Kathy Fitzgerald (Doris Miller), John Horton (Welch) and John Selya (Mambo Dancer).

The ensemble features Nathan Balser, David Baum, Jimmy Ray Bennett, Rachel Coloff, Anderson Davis, Marya Grandy, Shannon Lewis, Jay Lusteck, Pamela Otterson, Adam Perry, Karine Plantadit, T. Oliver Reid, Jon Rua, Stacey Sargeant, Alexander Scheitinger, Chandra Lee Schwartz, Baron Vaughn and Cody Ryan Wise.

Damn Yankees will be directed by John Rando with Music Direction by Rob Berman and the original Bob Fosse choreography recreated by Mary MacLeod.

Damn Yankees is the story of Joe Boyd, the ultimate baseball fan, who sells his soul to the Devil (Sean Hayes) for the chance to help his team, the Washington Senators, win the pennant race against the Yankees. The Devil is aided by the sexy Lola (Jane Krakowski), who seduces Joe, but ultimately helps him outsmart the Devil and return to his beloved wife. Songs include "Heart" and "Whatever Lola Wants.�

Damn Yankees has Score and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, book by George Abbott and Douglass Wallop, and will be directed by John Rando.

The original Broadway production of Damn Yankees opened at the 46th Street Theatre on 5 May 1955, playing 1,019 performances. Directed by George Abbott with musical numbers staged by Bob Fosse, the original cast included Gwen Verdon and Ray Walston.

This marks the Second Encores! Summer Stars poduction. The series opened last year with Gypsy and starred Patti LuPone as 'Mamma Rose'. That production has now transferred to Broadway where it opened to rave reviews on 27 Mar 2008 at the St. James Theatre.