Baseball fever burns at EHS

The students of Ellsworth High School will perform the classic musical about one man’s love for baseball. “Damn Yankees,” by George Abbott, Douglass Wallop, Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, runs Nov. 1-3 and 8- 10. All shows are at 7:30 p.m. at the school.

How far will one man go for his baseball team? Will he sell his soul to the devil?

This is the question that faces Joe Boyd (Hank Holdorf) an obsessed fan of the Minnesota Twins, who lose every year to the Yankees. When the devil (Molly Schneider-Adams) and her sidekick (Caleb Truax) make him an offer, Boyd leaves wife Meg (Katie Deiss) to become Joe Hardy (Alex Campbell) a twenty-something baseball star and savior of the Minnesota Twins.

While Hardy is the hero of the team, questions about his background persist and a pesky reporter (Maddie Langer) causes him to realize how much he loves his wife and his old life. Devil temptress Lola (Sabrina Shonkwiler) gets involved to try to convince Hardy to stick with the team.

The remaining cast is rounded out by seniors Brady DeGross, Ethan Hager, Ty Thomas and Michael Tonsager. Junior cast members are Baylee Albarado, Mackenzie Anderson, Brieanna Davis, Brett Freier, Jacob Fuchs, Dan Giese, Olivia Helmer, Austin Krauss, Samantha Lee, Miranda Maxwell, Oksana Nelson, Alli O’Connell, Logan Radkey, Kali Schaar, Hayley Stoesz and Kenny Stowe. Sophomore cast members include Kelsey Betthauser, Payton Bjorkman, Jonah Conway, Jarek Fischer, Ethan Hayes, Michael Koch, Megan Stress and Nick Taranto.

The classic score contains memorable songs such as “Whatever Lola Wants” and “Shoeless Joe from Hannibal MO.”

Performing the pieces are the young high school musicians under the direction of John Kleppe. The band includes Jordan Afdahl, Mason Enges, Caleb Gustafson, Shelby Kaufer, Rachel Pieper, Tyler Ray, Alexandra Runyon, Naomi Sarnstrom, Ashley Schwarzhoff and Molly Woletz.

The show is directed by Shelly Moore, with technical and vocal direction from Peter Dulak; stage management provided by senior Hope Kauffmann and juniors Austin and Heather Wilcox; and sound operated by returning crew member Ben Moldenhauer. Counting cast, crew, band, set construction and costume construction adds to more than 100 students.

There will be a special performance for the deaf or hard of hearing Friday Nov. 2. Interpreters have been hired to help potential audience members who many have avoided going to shows in the past.

“We have always wanted to find a way to reach out to more of the community and this is one small way we can reach out more,” high school Principal Mark Stoesz said.

Interpreters will be positioned on the side of the stage to allow the audience members to see both them and the action on the stage.

“It has been fascinating for me to learn more about the hard of hearing community and what services we could offer to help them enjoy our shows,” Moore added. “I am hopeful that we will be able to offer such a performance for future productions as well.”

At a glance…

What: “Damn Yankees”

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday Nov. 1 to Saturday Nov.3 and Thursday Nov. 8 to Saturday Nov.10

Where: Ellsworth High School, 323 Hillcrest St.

Cost: $8 adults, $3 students

More info: www.ellsworthdrama.com

Tags: arts and entertainment, lifestyle, arts, entertainment, ellsworth