Broadway queen Jane Krakowski, who hasn't been seen onstage in New York for five years, will return to the footlights this summer in the classic role of Lola in "Damn Yankees."
A tipster says the "30 Rock" and "Ali McBeal" star has been tapped for the part opposite Sean Hayes of "Will & Grace," who would play the Devil, Mr. Applegate. The role would mark Hayes' New York stage debut.
"This is the first theater Jane has done since she won an Olivier Award for 'Guys and Dolls' in London [opposite Ewan McGregor] in 2006," says an insider. But New York audiences haven't seen her since "Nine" in 2003.
The baseball-themed musical, to be directed by Tony-winner John Rando, will be presented by Encores! as a Summer Stars production at the City Center on W. 56th St.
The musical, according to press notes, is described as such: "It 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 (Cheyenne Jackson), but ultimately helps him outsmart the Devil and return to his beloved wife (Randy Graff)."
The original Broadway production of Damn Yankees opened at the 46th Street Theatre May 5, 1955, playing 1,019 performances before closing at the Adelphi Theatre, where it later transferred, on Oct. 12, 1957. Directed by George Abbott with musical numbers staged by Bob Fosse, the original cast included Gwen Verdon, Stephen Douglass and Ray Walston. The production won 1956 Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Actor in a Musical (Walston), Best Actress in a Musical (Verdon), Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Russ Brown), Best Choreography (Fosse), Conductor and Musical Director (Hal Hastings) and Stage Technician (Harry Green).
