TheBakersfieldCalifornian.com

Faust and Major League Baseball? Only a musical could bring those two ideas together, and that musical is "Damn Yankees," which takes the stage at the Rabobank Theater on Monday.

Based on Douglass Wallop's novel, "The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant," "Damn Yankees," which opened on Broadway in 1955, was inspired by the Bronx Bombers' World Series winning streak in the 1950s. The musical version centers on middle-aged real estate agent Joe Boyd, a die-hard fan of perennial losers, the Washington Senators. Joe would do anything to see the Senators beat those "damn Yankees," insisting all his team needs is one player.

"I'd sell my soul for a longball hitter," says Joe.

In walks Mr. Applegate, who clinches the deal, albeit with an escape clause insisted upon by the business-minded Joe.

So middle-aged Joe Boyd is transformed into strapping lad Joe Hardy, longball hitter extraordinaire, and the pennant race -- and the race for Joe's soul -- begins.

Joe has the time of his life as a ballplayer, but he misses his wife, Meg, who he has left behind in the deal. To make sure he doesn't lose his "client," Mr. Applegate sends in his own star player, the voluptuous Lola, to distract Joe from his memories.

"I have the best role in the show," said Sara Brophy, who stars as Lola. "I have wanted to play her for years."

The role was originated by Broadway legend Gwen Verdon, who along with collaborator and future husband, Bob Fosse, set the standard for Broadway dance and choreography for decades. Verdon won a Tony Award for her portrayal.

"I think you find that Lola is a dancer," Brophy said. "Every move she makes is full of meaning.

"That's something Verdon and Fosse did -- every little detail told part of her character and story."

Brophy said the production, choreographed by Dennis Jones, reflects the skills of this cast. "There are people who can do backflips and such, and those skills are incorporated into the show," she said.

Lola's partner in crime is Mr. Applegate, a character originated on Broadway by Ray Walston and played with devilish glee by Vincent Price and Jerry Lewis (!) on tour and in revival. Chris Winslow portrays Applegate in this production.

"(Applegate's) never actually referred to as the devil, but everything points that way," Winslow said.

The Florida-based actor said he never expected to get the role, even after being called by the casting director from New York.

"I couldn't get there to audition and she told me to send a video," Winslow said. "I put together a videotape; I didn't think I had much of a chance."

Winslow, who calls this a "dream role," watched performances by some of his celebrated predecessors.

"The script and character as written are just great fun, he has a great song," Winslow said.

The touring company presenting "Damn Yankees" has been on quite a series of its own. According to company manager Walter Milani, rehearsals began in New York City on Dec. 26, followed by a week of technical rehearsals in New Jersey. The cast was opened its first show on Jan. 16, and from that time has been traveling throughout the United States, often performing for one night, as it will in Bakersfield, occasionally staying for a weekend.

"It's a rough tour," Milani said. "All bus and truck, no flights."

Still, the cast is taking it all in stride.

"Out of all the casts I've worked with, this one gets along the best," Milani said. "And they pretty much take pretty good care of themselves as well."