A Musical Twist on the Baseball Diamond
The Savannah Bananas, the charismatic exhibition baseball team that has turned minor‑league games into a theatrical spectacle, announced a partnership that bridges sport and Broadway. Known for their high‑energy “Banana Ball” format, the club will debut an original song titled “Show Starts Now” as part of a collaboration with EGOT‑winning songwriters Benji Pasek and Justin Paul.
Pasek and Paul, celebrated for their work on “Dear Evan Hansen,” “Only Murders in the Building,” “La La Land,” and “The Greatest Showman,” are teaming up with the Bananas under a deal that also involves Atlantic Records and the production company Ampersand. The track will receive a global pre‑save release on all major streaming platforms ahead of its live debut.
Pasek and Paul Bring EGOT Magic
The song is slated to be performed at the 2026 ESPY Awards, the annual celebration of sporting excellence that airs on ESPN. In addition to the broadcast, fans can catch the Bananas’ games on Disney Plus and the ESPN App, extending the reach of the partnership beyond the diamond.
Adding a further layer of star power, Tony‑nominated actor Derek Klena has joined the roster as a pitcher and will take center stage to sing the new anthem at the ESPY ceremony. Klena, who previously appeared in the original production of the 2012 musical “Dogfight,” shares a creative history with Pasek and Paul, having collaborated on the early workshop of “Dogfight.”
Klena Takes the Mound
The Savannah Bananas began playing Banana Ball full‑time in 2023 and are set to conclude their inaugural season with the first‑ever Banana Bowl in October 2026. The upcoming bowl game promises to blend the team’s signature comedy‑driven gameplay with a musical finale that could redefine how sports entertainment intersects with mainstream pop culture.