Neil Patrick Harris to Tackle the Devil in Broadway's First 'Damn Yankees' Revival in Three Decades

When Neil Patrick Harris signs up to play the Devil, Broadway audiences get a front‑row seat to a theological showdown that’s less ‘soul‑saving’ and more ‘soul‑selling.’

The Tony‑winning, Emmy‑winning, “I’m not a comedian, I’m a demon” actor will take on the Devil in the first Broadway revival of the 1955 musical ‘Damn Yankees’ in more than three decades, joining Julianne Hough as the sweet‑tart, high‑pitch temptress.

With a spring opening on the East Coast, the production is poised to outshine any other show that’s trying to revive a 1950s jukebox hit, especially after the fall run at Washington's Arena Stage left critics wondering if the Devil could really be that charming.

Harris, who’s already mastered the art of swapping between a suave host and a man‑with‑a‑plan, will have to master the Devil’s signature grin and the ability to make audiences question their life choices while humming ‘Take Me Out to the Ball Game.’

Meanwhile, Julianne Hough, formerly of the dance floor and now the dance floor of temptation, will play the role of the temptress who convinces the Devil that maybe, just maybe, he could use a little jazzercise in his portfolio.

The revival, which features a revised score and a modernized storyline, promises to keep the original’s 1950s flair while adding a splash of 21st‑century swagger that would make even the Devil pause for a selfie.

The production’s director, whose previous work includes turning a humble coffee shop into a Broadway stage, is rumored to have negotiated a deal that lets the Devil take a coffee break after every number—an offering that the Devil reportedly accepted with a wry grin.

Critics who saw the Arena Stage run noted that Harris’s performance was as devilish as it was dignified, a combination that could have saved the city from the perils of a broken heart and a broken ticket.

As the spring opening draws near, theatergoers will have to decide whether to bring their faith, their sense of humor, or just a strong cup of coffee to survive the Devil’s performance.

One thing is certain: if Neil Patrick Harris can make the Devil look like a friendly neighborhood barista, Broadway will have a new way to say ‘If you want to get your show on, you gotta do the devilish thing.’