The Durham Bull Mascot and the Company of Bull Durham. Photo credit Curtis Brown
It is said that baseball is America's pastime. The game creates a culture all its own whether it’s on the professional level or right in our own communities. And that's what Bull Durham The Musical does so well. It provides a look into the culture of a baseball minor league team from Durham, North Carolina. The community support for the Durham Bulls allows us to see the joys, the losses, and those great baseball superstitions.
Bull Durham the Musical brings the classic 1988 movie to life on the stage. With a book written by Ron Shelton, the story basically follows the one told in the movie with some changes made to accommodate a stage production. Direction of the entire show is by Marc Bruni.
Bull Durham the Musical is a very entertaining and enjoyable show to see. A superb cast acts, sings, and dances to tell a heart warming story. You’ll even have a chance to feel like you are at a real game as that Durham Bull leads the audience in a rousing rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”
Bull Durham’s Superb Cast Tells the Story
The story line unfolds effortlessly through a superb cast. Broadway veteran Carmen Cusack is outstanding as Annie Savoy. With her beautiful singing, she portrays the many sides of her character. Annie is a part time community college teacher who also is the Durham Bulls part time behind the scenes coach. Each season, Annie focuses on one player and she applies her own somewhat unusual ideas of how a player can do his best for the team as well as for himself.
Carmen Cusack as Annie Savoy – Photo credit Curtis Brown
This season, Annie’s choices are between Crash Davis and Nuke LaLoosh. Nik Walker plays Crash Davis. With his outstanding singing voice, he portrays his character as the mature player that he is. This is his last chance to try to make it to “the show.” But the team management wants him to help develop their new pitching star, Nuke LaLoosh. Will Savarese does a wonderful job of capturing Nuke’s main problem: too much unfocused energy! He portrays this energy through his antics both on and off the field. Seeing the need to be fulfilled, Annie makes her selection by taking on Nuke. However, her real love interest is Crash.
There are several side plots including Millie (Ashlyn Maddox) who wants to marry and does this season. She lands Jimmy (Andrew Poston). Their scenes both planning and actually marrying right on the ball field are some of the funniest in the show.
The Bulls break their losing streak and have a most amazing season. Their road trip is hilarious and Annie’s theories about reading poetry and wearing items under a uniform make for some good laughs.
Additional actors in the show include Joel Ashur as Larry and James Moye as Skip. Nick Wyman is in the announcer’s booth as Uncle Roy.
Music and Dancing
Susan Werner’s music and lyrics are energizing as they contribute to the development of the story and the characters as well. Some of the most impressive songs include: “The Church of Baseball,” “I Believe,” “Winning,” “Every Woman Deserves to Wear White,” and “The Show.”
One of the outstanding dance numbers – Photo Credit Curtis Brown
Equally impressive are the high energy, exciting dance moments in the show. At times, you feel like you are seeing a ball game in progress danced out instead of being played on the field.
The amazing choreography comes from Joshua Bergasse. It features an excellent ensemble including: Mike Baerga, Ellie Barone, Tre’ Booker, Jacob Burns, Daniel DiPinto, Benny Elledge, Diana Huey, Ashton Lambert, Brian Shimasaki Liebson, Jessi Little, Carson Hampton Palmer, Valentina Shelton, Jake Trammel, Dori Waymer, Matt Wiercinski, Casey Wortham, and Blake Zelesnikar.
About Going to the Show
The run time of the show is approximately 2 hours, 30 minutes with one intermission. There is a suggested age range of 13+ because of a content warning involving adult language and mature themes.
There is an effects warning in place involving theatrical haze, flashing lights, strobe effects, and loud sounds which are featured in this production.
Bull Durham continues to run through November 2, 2025. Tickets may be purchased at the Paper Mill’s website.
With construction being done on site, parking is available on limited basis. Shuttle service is also available. More details are on the website.
The Carriage House is currently closed. However, three concessions are open including the Durham Dugout, Gallery Cafe, and Lobby Bar. The evening I attended was perfect outdoor weather so eating outside at the Durham Dugout made us feel like we were at the ball park!
Photo of entrance to Durham Dugout – Photo by K. Nowosad
At the Durham Dugout Concessions – Good food including great hot dogs. Photo – K. Nowosad
