Pal Joey

Pal Joey will be proud of me.
I've started listening to Pal Joey, City Center Encore cast on my iPod, on the way to work in the mornings.

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Patti's sounding good.
What do you think?

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Updated On: 8/23/05 at 10:30 PM

I want all you funny valentines out there to give Glebb some tidbits about PAL JOEY and the Encores! recording.

Ah...Peter Gallagher sings Joey.

The original production, opened Christmas Day 1940, and starred Gene Kelly, and co-starred Vivienne Segal as the Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered Vera Simpson, also June Havoc ("Zip"). Van Johnson was in in the chorus. And if I recall correctly BWW's very own "OnceADancer," Miriam, in the chorus as well.

Both Gene and Van would each soon co-star opposite Judy Garland at MGM before the decade was over.

The Encores! production was quite something, too. Patti did a superb job as Vera.

The last Broadway revival, which I saw, was in 1976, and the cast included Dixie Carter and Marilu Henner.

Christopher Chadman didn't do it as Joey.

Yes, indeedy.

Edward Villella was replaced (as Joey) in previews, and Eleanor Parker was replaced as Vera. Yes, that Eleanor Parker, The Baronness from the film version of THE SOUND OF MUSIC.

Unfortunately both the replacements that opened the revival (Chadman and Joan Copeland) had no chemistry and generated no magic together or alone.

The score remains solidly terrific 60 years later.

What is a man?

So is Elaine Stritch--very funny when she sings "Zip."

I met her at The Yankee Clipper
And she didn't unzip one zipper

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Zip! Walter Lippman wasn't brilliant today.
Zip! Will Saryan ever write a great play?
Zip! I was reading Schopenhauer last night.
Zip! And I think that Schopenhauer was right.
I don't want to see Zorina,
I don't want to meet Cobina.
Zip! I'm an intelectual.
I don't like a deep contralto,
Or a man whose voice is alto.
Zip! I'm a heterosexual.
Zip! It took intelect to master my art.
Zip! Who the hell is Margie Hart?

Zip! I consider Dali's painting passe.
Zip! Can they make the Metropolitan pay?
Zip! English people don't say clerk, they say clark.
Zip! Anybody who says clark is a jark!
I have read the great Cabala,
And I simply worship Allah.
Zip! I am just a mystic.
I don't care for Whistler's mother,
Charlie's aunt, or Shubert's brother.
Zip! I'm misogynistic.
Zip! My intelligence is guiding my hand.
Zip! Who the hell is Sally Rand?

Zip! Toscanini leads the greatest of bands.
Zip! Jergens Lotion does the trick for his hands.
Zip! Rip Van Winkle on the screen would be smart.
Zip! Tyrone Power will be cast in the part.
I adore the great Confucius,
And the lines of luscious Lucius.
Zip! I am so ecletic.
I don't care for either Mickey Mouse and Rooney make me sicky!
Zip! I'm a little hectic.
Zip! My artistic taste is classic and dear.
Zip! Who the hell is Lili St. Cyr?

I keep thinking you're bumping me ;-(

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Hi PalJoey! No Ravinia this weekend?
Marquise - are you feeling Randy this morning?

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