2024 has turned many of us theater kids into sporting fanatics with the excitement of the Summer Olympics sweeping the land. With only a few days left in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Team USA is leading the pack in the medal count! But if we cast our mind back to day one and the opening ceremony, we were excited to see a nod to our world with a spotlight on Les Miserables in the commencement festivities. This moment got us thinking about the intersection between sport and theater. More often than not the bright lights of Broadway shines on love stories, historical dramas, and fantastical adventures but some shows delve into the high-stakes world of sports. Today we’re looking at five stage productions that prove the spirit of competition can be just as compelling on stage as it is in the stadium!
CHARIOTS OF FIRE
First on our list is the stage adaptation of CHARIOTS OF FIRE. The original 1981 film, told the inspiring true story of two athletes competing in the Olympics. The stage version, premiered on the West End in June 2012, aptly timed with London playing host to the Summer Olympics that year. Set against the backdrop of the 1924 Paris Olympics, the play follows British runners Eric Liddell, a devout Christian, and Harold Abrahams, a Jewish student at Cambridge, as they overcome personal and societal challenges in their quest for Olympic glory. Chariots of Fire, 2012.
Credit: Hampstead Theatre.
ROCKY THE MUSICAL
ROCKY THE MUSICAL brought the iconic boxing saga of Rocky Balboa to the Broadway stage back in 2014. Following the plot of the beloved 1976 film, the musical chronicles Rocky’s journey from a small-time boxer to getting a shot at the world heavyweight title against the reigning champion, Apollo Creed. The Broadway production featured thrilling boxing sequences and a powerful score from writing duo Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens (RAGTIME, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND) that included both new compositions and classics like “Eye of The Tiger.” The climactic boxing match was a centerpiece of the show, with innovative staging that placed the audience right in the middle of the ring!
Credit: Sara Krulwich/The New York Times
THE GREAT LEAP
Lauren Yee's THE GREAT LEAP is a compelling play that intertwines sports, politics, and personal identity. Set in San Francisco 1989, the story follows an American college basketball team as they travel to China for an exhibition game. The protagonist Manford Lum, locally renowned on the sidewalk basketball courts of Chinatown, talks his way onto the college team, just before they travel to Beijing for a “friendship” game. When they arrive, China is in the throes of the post-Cultural Revolution era, and Manford must juggle international politics and his own personal history. Premiering Off-Broadway in 2018, THE GREAT LEAP is a dynamic and emotionally charged piece that showcases the significance of sports beyond the scoreboard.
Credit: Ahron R. Foster
GOLDEN BOY
GOLDEN BOY is a poignant play by Clifford Odets that centers on the world of boxing. With its original Broadway production back in 1937, this story has had various retellings with a 1939 film and a 1964 musical, as well as several Broadway revival’s of the play itself. The story follows Joe Bonaparte, a young Italian-American who is torn between his love for playing the violin and his need for fame and fortune, which he believes he can achieve through boxing. As Joe rises through the ranks, the brutal nature of the sport begins to take a toll on his body and soul, leading to a tragic conclusion.
Credit: NYPL
DAMN YANKEES
Last but not least - DAMN YANKEES. At the intersection of theater and sport, DAMN YANKEES stands as a quintessential Broadway classic. The story is a modern retelling of the Faust legend set in 1950s Washington, D.C., during a period when the New York Yankees dominated Major League Baseball. The original 1955 Broadway production ran for 1,019 performances with a ’94 Broadway Revival and 2017 Off-Broadway Revival. The story revolves around Joe Boyd, a die-hard fan of the struggling Washington Senators baseball team, who makes a pact with the devil to transform into Joe Hardy, a young baseball superstar, to help his team beat the New York Yankees. The stakes are high both on the field and off, as Joe battles not just for victory in the league, but also for his soul. With a blend of comedy, romance, and toe-tapping tunes, the show captures the essence of baseball fever and the lengths one might go to in pursuit of their dreams.
Credit: NYPL for the Performing Arts