The Return of "Damn Yankees"

June 24, 2003 - Miramax Films co-chairman Harvey Weinstein is ready to bring another Broadway musical to the silver screen following on the heels of the studio's success with "Chicago." Weinstein announced today that Miramax has picked up the rights to the 1955 hit musical "Damn Yankees" to develop as a feature film. "Chicago's" executive producers, Neil Meron and Craig Zadan, are onboard as producers.

"Damn Yankees" tells the story of a die-hard Washington Senators' fan who sells his soul in exchange for an opportunity to help the team beat the Yankees and win the pennant. Richard Adler and Jerry Ross wrote the music and lyrics to "Damn Yankees" which is based on the book "The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant" by George Abbott and Douglass Wallop.

In a press release announcing the acquisition, Weinstein said, "I see us updating 'Damn Yankees,' modernizing it, and really having fun with the role of the devil."

Source: Miramax