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As if the lights of Broadway couldn’t get any brighter, one show will receive a special guest appearance from one of New York’s biggest stars. No, it’s a not a movie star, or a basketball free agent. Think more pinstripes and history. Think LARGER…

New York Yankees pitcher C.C. Sabathia will make his Off-Broadway debut. He’ll be doing so in a special one-night-only appearance in the 10th Anniversary production of Rock of Ages, currently running at New World Stages.

Sabathia joins other professional athletes, such as Tiki Barber and Eddie George, as stars who’ve taken their talents from the field to the stage. Tiki Barber most recently took his bow as Don in Kinky Boots. George has experienced multiple turns as the silver-tongued prince of the courtroom, Billy Flynn in Chicago.

The cast

The cast also includes Mitchell Jarvis as Lonny, CJ Eldred as Drew and Kirsten Scott as Sherrie, Katie Webber as Waitress #1, PJ Griffith as Stacee Jaxx, Matt Ban (Spamalot National Tour) as Dennis, Dane Biren as Franz, Rock of Ages Las Vegas alum Tiffany Engen as Regina, Tom Galantich as Hertz, and Jeannette Bayardelle as Justice/Mother. The ensemble is rounded out by Leah Read, Michael Mahany, Ashley E. Mathews, Mekhai Lee, Autumn Guzzardi, Kevin Raponey and our very own, Justin Colombo.

The performance will also be followed by a special curtain call dedication by current and former Yankee players.

Tickets to the performance are $109 (mezzanine level) and $179 (orchestra level). Select VIP Ticket Packages are also available, which include prime seating at the show and access to an exclusive post-show reception with Yankees players and Rock of Ages cast members. All tickets are available at www.rockofagesmusical.com.

Whether or not C.C. will have to join Actor’s Equity is still up in the air. But we here at the Turf appreciate his dedication to joining the art of theatre and the art of hardball.

Wait, why is this happening?

C.C. is walking on to the show as part of “Yankees Night” to benefit the Carlos Beltran Foundation. The nine time All Star and three time Gold Glove winner set up the non-profit organization to support community organizations that provide quality education and sports programs for underserved youth.

After years of hard work, Beltran and his wife, Jessica, were able to open The Carlos Beltran Academy in his native Puerto Rico, which provides a dynamic learning experience where young people can develop and enhance their athletic gifts and strive for academic excellence. in preparation for leading responsible and productive lives as compassionate global citizens, and to empower youth to achieve their dreams through sports and education.