Next week, there will be an epic battle of good versus evil at Tabor Academy – complete with song, dance, and the Boston Red Sox.

Tabor’s student-actors will bring “Damn Yankees” to the stage on Thursday, February 21, for a three-night run.

Set in 1950s Washington, D.C., the musical comedy tells the tale of middle-aged real estate agent Joe Boyd. In order to become a baseball legend with the Washington Senators team, Boyd sells his soul to the Devil, who goes by the name Applegate.

For this production, Tabor’s cast and crew has given the show the Boston treatment by changing Boyd’s team from the Senators to the Red Sox.

“It’s common to change the setting,” said John Heavey, the show’s director and an English teacher at Tabor. “Also, I’m a big baseball fan.”

To help bring the scenes to life, Heavey said the crew designed a backdrop that is a replica of one at Fenway Park in the 1950s.

Cast in the lead roles are Oliver Palmer as Joe Boyd, Chapman Hyatt as Applegate, and Claire Knowlton as Lola, the woman sent by Applegate to seduce Joe.

As Joe Boyd, Palmer said he found inspiration in Babe Ruth.

“I looked at an American idol like Ruth and I tried to emulate him. He had different poses and he used to point to where he was going to make a homerun. I do that in the show,” Palmer said.

And, there wouldn’t be conflict without a villain. As Applegate, Hyatt said he is relishing the chance to play a song and dance version of the Devil.

“It’s been so much fun,” Hyatt said. “You only have a couple of opportunities to play the Devil. He’s not dark. I sing too. It’s a light musical. It’s a timeless classic about selling your soul, but we Americanize it with baseball.”

When she auditioned, Knowlton said she had her sights set on the part of Lola. Sporting a black wig, high heels, and a corset, Knowlton said the outfit helps her get into character.

“It makes me look totally different,” Knowlton said. “People don’t even recognize me in the posters or on stage.”

All seniors, the three leads will take their final bows in a Tabor production with “Damn Yankees.”

Having acted alongside one another in several Tabor shows, the trio says they have their chemistry down pat.

“I’ve kissed them a million times. It’s not even awkward anymore,” Knowlton said.

After graduation, Palmer and Hyatt said they want to continue training as actors.

As for working on Tabor productions, Palmer said, “I’m going to miss it a lot. We’ve had a really good response, even with outsiders coming to Tabor to see the shows. It’s not just parents and students. It’s been a blessing to have been a part of something on such a professional scale.”

Tabor's production of "Damn Yankees" will be held at Hoyt Hall in the Fireman Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. on February 21, 22, and 23. Tickets are $9 if pre-ordered and $10 at the door. To order tickets, email wintermusicaltix@taboracademy.org.