Yankee Stadium Lesson in WoW Production

Savannah Bananas and Actor Derek Kleena

As a learning and theater producer, I am always yearning for new models and inspirations for engaging the audience!

Last Friday, we took a last minute trip to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx to see our friend and actor, Derek Kleena, perform with the Savannah Bananas in a non-stop experience for 50,000 fans. Derek has been on Broadway in shows including Wicked, Anastasia, Dogfight and more. And, he had played baseball in college.

On Friday, he came on to the field twice, to sing Phantom of the Opera and also strike out a batter. Then, he returned with the cast of Aladdin to perform a medley of Broadway tunes with the Genie. Watch this short clip:

I was blown away by the strategic production of the game, blending real baseball with music, dance and lovable chaos. Yankee Stadium was filled with kid and families who were enjoying the blend of sports, engagement and the arts. The production was non-stop, from a welcome field loaded with music, baseball, merchandise and a stage with the players performing sing along music. It took the Harlem Globetrotters model to a new level and it was Wow!

We met colleagues from Broadway who came out to see Derek’s first Yankee Stadium experience. Many brought their children who were fascinated and moved by the whole experience.

It changed my view, as a producer of learning and theatrical events, to bring the pizzaz to the audience/learners from minute one and to break barriers in designing gatherings.

Thanks to the Savannah Bananas and Derek Kleena for rocking my instincts as a producer.

Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
MASIE Productions
Dublin, Ireland & New York
www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com