Pal Joey (musical) Totally Explained

Everything about Pal Joey Musical totally explained

Pal Joey is a 1940 musical written by American writer John O'Hara, with music and lyrics by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. The play is based on the character and situations that O'Hara created in a series of short stories published in The New Yorker magazine. It includes two songs that have become standards: I Could Write a Book and Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered (see Great American Songbook).
The original Broadway production was directed by George Abbott and starred Gene Kelly. A film of the musical was made in 1957, starring Frank Sinatra, Rita Hayworth, and Kim Novak.

Stage productions

Original 1940 Broadway production Pal Joey premiered on December 25, 1940 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre and ran for 374 performances. Directed by George Abbott, the opening-night cast included Gene Kelly as Joey, Vivienne Segal as Vera, and June Havoc as Gladys; Van Johnson and Stanley Donen were also in the cast. 1952 Broadway revival The play was a greater success when revived on Broadway at the Broadhurst Theatre. It opened on January 3, 1952 and ran for 540 performances and starred Harold Lang, Vivienne Segal, and Helen Gallagher. Dances and musical numbers were staged by Robert Alton, the original choreographer. It received the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award "Citation for Best Musical", 1951-52. The cast also included future Broadway luminaries Elaine Stritch and Bob Fosse. Other revivals It was revived off-Broadway in 1963 (15 performances), on Broadway with Christopher Chadman in 1976 (73 performances), and in 1995, as a concert staging at City Center Encores! starring Peter Gallagher and Patti LuPone. London There were two productions in London's West End: in March 1954 at the Princes Theatre, starring Harold Lang, Carol Bruce and Sally Bazely; and the Noel Coward Theatre, from September 1980 until September 1981, starring Sian Phillips, Danielle Carson, and Denis Lawson.

Revival (2008)

It had been reported that producer Marc E. Platt, along with writer Richard Greenberg and director Joe Mantello were planning a revival, expected in the fall (2007). (See www.jewishjournal.com, February 17, 2007, and The Syracuse Post Standard, February 28, 2007). Variety then reported that producer Marc Platt was aiming for a spring (2008) production, although this wasn't formally announced. and
According to a July 31, 2007 article in the New York Times, this revival was postponed. The producer Marc Platt stated "This spring the timing is just not right, but hopefully it'll happen as soon as it can."
In the latest development, it has been announced that the Roundabout Theatre Company will present a limited engagement of a revival of Pal Joey at Studio 54, with previews beginning November 21, 2008, officially opening on December 11. Joe Mantello is scheduled to direct with a revised book by Richard Greenberg and choreography by Graciela Daniele.

Plot summary

The musical's plot is more coherent and sequential than the stories on which it's based. Joey Evans, as an unsympathetic antihero, is a striking departure from the usual musical-comedy formula. Richard Rodgers said of Joey: "Joey wasn't disreputable because he was mean, but because he'd too much imagination to behave himself, and because he was a little weak."
In Chicago in the late 1930s, Joey Evans, a second-rate dancer, a charming "heel" with big plans, schemes to get his dream–his own nightclub–"Chez Joey". In doing so, he leaves his young and naive girlfriend Linda English, to romance an older wealthy but bored married socialite, Vera Simpson, to convince her to set him up in business. Vera thus becomes vulnerable to a blackmail attempt which is thwarted by Linda. Several minor characters, Gladys Bumps, a chorus girl who dislikes Joey, and Melba, an ambitious reporter, figure into the plot. Vera, bored with Joey, throws him out and he ends up alone. Notes:
The burlesque spoof, the song "Zip", was sung as a specialty number by the character "Melba": Elaine Stritch in the 1952 revival, Kay Medford in the 1963 revival, Dixie Carter in the 1976 revival, and Bebe Neuwirth in the 1995 concert. In Stritch's one-woman show, At Liberty, she describes doing the show while being the understudy for Ethel Merman in Call Me Madam. During a week of previews in New Haven, she'd have to check in with Merman, take the train to New Haven, then get to the theater in time to do her number in the second act.
Most of the actors who played Joey were dancers as well as actors and singers, since the character was a dancer: Gene Kelly, Harold Lang, Christopher Chadman (a choreographer, as well), and Bob Fosse.

Musical numbers

Act I

You Mustn't Kick It Around - Joey Evans, Gladys Bumps, Agnes, The Kid, Chorus Girls and Waiters
I Could Write a Book - Joey Evans and Linda English
Chicago - Dancer and Chorus Girls
That Terrific Rainbow - Gladys Bumps, Victor and Girls
Love Is My Friend - Vera Simpson
Happy Hunting Horn - Joey Evans, Terry, Chorus Girls and Boy Friends
Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered - Vera Simpson
Pal Joey (What Do I Care For A Dame?) - Joey Evans
Act II
The Flower Garden of My Heart - Gladys Bumps, The Tenor, Specialty Dancer and Ensemble
Zip - Melba Snyder
Plant You Now, Dig You Later - Ludlow Lowell, Gladys Bumps and Ensemble
In Our Little Den (of Iniquity) - Vera Simpson and Joey Evans
Do It The Hard Way - Ludlow Lowell, Gladys Bumps, Dancer and Ensemble
Take Him - Vera Simpson, Linda English and Joey Evans
Bewitched, Bothered, Bewildered (Reprise) - Vera Simpson
I Could Write A Book (Reprise) - Joey Evans

Awards and nominations

1952 Revival � Tony Award

:Best Featured Actress in a Musical--Helen Gallagher (WINNER) � :Best Choreography--Robert Alton (WINNER)

:Conductor and Musical Director--Max Meth (WINNER)

1963 Revival � Tony Award

:Best Actor in a Musical--Bob Fosse (nominee)

1977 Revival � Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actress in a Musical--Joan Copeland (nominee)

Further Information

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