When the Arena Stage in Washington DC announced their premiere of a new adaptation of Richard Adler, Jerry Ross, George Abbott, and Douglass Wallop's classic musical, Damn Yankees, the first thought might not be: How does this affect Temple University and their Center for Performing and Cinematic Arts in Philadelphia?

However, the production of the revamped (no pun intended, Lola) musical which features a revised book by Will Power (Fetch Clay, Make Man) and Doug Wright (Good Night, Oscar; I Am My Own Wife) as well as some additional lyrics by Lynn Ahrens (Ragtime), is directly connected to Temple's CPCA and one of our most lauded alums, Joy Abbott. 

Joy, who sadly passed away in 2020, was an enthusiastic supporter of Temple's Theater program, and along with the financial support to create The George and Joy Abbott Center for Musical Theater, also facilitated a bequest of her share of rights and future royalties of the work of her late husband, George Abbott, who passed away in 1995. 

Mr. George Abbott -- also known as Mr. Broadway -- produced, directed and wrote more than 100 Broadway shows, including Damn Yankees, Once Upon A Mattress and The Pajama Game. He also helped launch the careers of numerous musical theater legends like Carol Burnett, Liza Minnelli, Gene Kelly and Shirley MacLaine.

Because of Joy's generous bequest, the fates of productions of Damn Yankees, like the one at Arena Stage's Fichandler Stage this September 9-November 9, are directly tied to Temple, who will not only receive royalties but also acts as a discussion partner in any further development of the piece. 

For the upcoming Arena Stage production, the inclusion of big names like Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Wright, Tony Award winner Ahrens, along with the announcement of Tony Award winner Director/Choreographer Sergio Trujillo at the helm (as well as a relatively "on the nose" new instagram channel for the show) clearly demonstrate the show's Broadway aspirations.

Temple's Center for Performing and Cinematic Arts is overjoyed to be part of the legacy of this iconic musical theater piece and thrilled at the opportunity to continue to celebrate the lives of Joy and George Abbott. Keep an eye on the Arena Stage production, and if you're in DC in the Fall be sure to check out the show -- it's going to be a home run!