Specifically, an old man tired of watching his beloved Washington Senators lose makes a deal with Mr. Applegate, aka the devil (Ray Walston), to become a 22-year-old superstar named Joe Hardy (Tab Hunter) and take the team to the World Series.
Now add a steady stream of unforgettable songs by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, including “Heart,” “Six Months Out of Every Year” and a sizzling performance of “Whatever Lola Wants” by Mr. Applegate’s demonic temptress Lola, played to perfection by multiple Tony Award-winning actress Gwen Verdon, and we have a big winner.
Also, top off the fun with choreography by legend Bob Fosse highlighted by the numbers “Shoeless Joe from Hannibal Mo,” “Two Lost Souls” and “Who’s Got the Pain,” the latter teaming up Fosse with Verdon in a dynamite dancing duet.