Arena artistic director Molly Smith will direct the musical about a middle-aged D.C.-area baseball fan who sells his soul to a charming Satan to become the wunderkind of the losing Washington Senators circa 1955. The droll and delicious role of Mr. Applegate was originated by Ray Walston in 1955 (he also appeared in the film), played by Victor Garber in the 1994 Broadway revision, and subsequently reinvented by shticky replacement Jerry Lewis, who also starred in the subsequent tour. Brad Oscar was Tony-nominated in the category of Best Featured Actor (Musical) for playing Franz in The Producers in 2001. He would later graduate to the role of Max on Broadway and London (he replaced Nathan Lane in both cities). He is currently Max opposite Hunter Foster at Broadway's St. James Theatre.

Arena Stage's Damn Yankees will play the Fichandler stage Dec. 9-Feb. 5, 2006. As previously reported, Matt Bogart will be young Joe Hardy.

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