In baseball, they say you’re only as good as your next day’s pitcher.  If that’s the case, the Cortland Repertory production of Damn Yankees is set for a winning home stand with a rotation that boasts Peter Carrier, Erica Livingston, Jef Canter, Alyson Tolbert and Tom Frye.  And they have an unhittable closer in Dominick Varney.

Director Jim Bumgardner and Choreographer Daniel B. Hess haven’t done anything new or particularly inventive with this production, but then the play is abour the comfort of the familiar.  Still, the balletic moves for the ball players that showed precission sixty years ago seem to lack power now.  In fairness, this isn’t the easiest musical to produce, particularly with a smaller cast (18 compared to 40 in the original ) necessitated by a stalled economy.  Still, more creative staging may have made a good show great, especially considering the talented cast.

Canter and Carrier are both excellent as the two Joes, with subtle traces of the former informing the character of the later.  Livingston is remarkable as the patient Meg and Tolbert sizzles as the temptress, Lola.  Meghan Rozak does fine work as the reporter, Gloria.

But this is Varney’s show, from his first entrance to curtain.  He is an astounding comic talent and when he enters a scene, it’s his.  If he seems a bit arch, it’s because he plays it that way and in the end it works each and every time.

Gerald Avery and Robert Conte turn in solid support and chorus work and Rebecca McGraw is an absolute delight.

The vocal work, under the direction of David Hahn is terrific throughout and the orchestra, a bit too loud in a couple of spots, is nice and tight.  Jason Bolen’s set is a nice representation of the baseball diamond and Shawn Boyle light the show beautifully (no mean feat when so much of the set is green.)

The Cortland Repertory Theatre’s production of Damn Yankees continies through July 18 in the Edward Jones Playhouse, Dwyer Park in Little york.  For Tickets or information, call the CRT box office at 800-427-6160.  You can also check out www..cortlandrep.org