Baseball Takes Center Stage for Theater Enthusiasts

If you haven’t heard of the Savannah Bananas, you might recognize their bright yellow uniforms and quirky antics that have taken social media by storm. This exhibition baseball team has skyrocketed in popularity over the last few years, becoming the equivalent of the Harlem Globetrotters in the world of baseball, even selling out iconic venues like Yankee Stadium. Known for their entertaining style, which includes players doing flips, batting on stilts, and performing live music, the team is now set to release their first original song, and they’re going all out by teaming up with EGOT winners for the project.

The Savannah Bananas are collaborating with Ampersand, the production company founded by award-winning songwriters Benji Pasek and Justin Paul, to create the new single titled “Show Starts Now.” Pasek and Paul are celebrated for their acclaimed work in theater (like *Dear Evan Hansen*), television (*Only Murders in the Building*), and film (*La La Land*, *The Greatest Showman*). They’ve also contributed to Disney’s live-action adaptations of *Aladdin* and *Snow White*. The song is co-written with Cal Shapiro, Ashley Gorley, and Ben Johnson. Pasek and Paul expressed their excitement about the collaboration, stating:

“Getting to write Banana Ball’s very first original anthem alongside a group of some of our favorite songwriters was a no-brainer. We could not be more impressed by what [commissioner Jesse Cole] has built over the last decade, and getting to collaborate in this way was beyond thrilling.”

But Pasek and Paul aren’t the only talented individuals involved in this project. Earlier this year, Tony-nominated actor Derek Klena joined the Bananas as a pitcher. Klena has quickly become a fan favorite, showcasing his vocal talents with performances of various songs, including show tunes, during games. He previously worked with Pasek and Paul in the original production of the team’s 2012 musical *Dogfight*.

Klena and the rest of the Savannah Bananas will debut “Show Starts Now” as the opening act for the 2026 ESPY Awards on July 15. Fans can pre-save the song on most music streaming platforms. Additionally, every Banana Ball Championship League game is available for streaming on Disney Plus and the ESPN App. Although the Bananas transitioned to full-time Banana Ball in 2023 (after starting as a summer collegiate league team), 2026 will mark the inaugural season of the Banana Ball Championship League, culminating in the first-ever Banana Bowl in October.

They’re truly in a league of their own.