Harry Connick Jr To Star In "The Pajama Game" Revival (Broadway Bow Likely to be in November 2005)

[RadioTV2]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 9:05am

NY Times Reports. Personally, I think this is a really good casting decision, but thats just me. I love to listen to Harry Connick and will definitely see this next season.
Two Musical Revivals Bank on Stars From Beyond Broadway

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 9:06am

Oooh. I do love me some Harry Connick, Jr. This could be fun.

[wildcat]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 9:06am

TRULY???
I literally jumped out of my chair! I think it's inspired casting.

[cturtle]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 9:36am

yummy and i'm glad to hear they've rewritten the book ... it was quite dated.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 9:55am

So...who are our picks for Babe?

[Addicted2Seaweed]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 10:18am

I LOVE The Pajama Game!! Yay!!

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 10:40am

My ideal Babe: Reba.

(Funnily, I don't think the book is THAT dated)

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 11:22am

This could be good. This could be *very* good. Ooo. Now, THAT'S something to look forward to.

[leomaxfrank]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 11:26am

Wonderful casting choice - it's SO about time.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 11:30am

Am I the only one who thinks Harry Connik Jr. is a hack without an ounce of personality? And that Pajama Game just ain't all it's cracked up to be?

[Feodor Sverdlov]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 11:40am

I agree that Connick doesn't have an ounce of personality (nor the voice to do the songs in "The Pajama Game"); but don't agree about "The Pajama Game". I love it!

[Gothampc]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 11:41am

Sueleen, I agree with you about Connick. I'm predicting he'll bring a lot of trouble to this production.

[leomaxfrank]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 12:25pm

I don't think "hack" is objective. If you don't like him fine - but he's incredibly talented. Sueleen - what about Connick Jr. don't you like? I value your opinion.

I'm not a huge Pajama Game fan (who's directing? Bobbie or Zaks? vomit) - but it's a good choice of a revival to revive.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 12:28pm

Connick, to me, always seems to be half asleep and his Frank Sinatra wanna-be vocals drive me crazy. I will say he is very cute, but that only goes so far.

Updated On: 1/8/05 at 12:28 PM

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 12:30pm

I'm with you 100%, Sueleen - hated him on Will and Grace too.

[magruder]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 12:35pm

Wouldn't Reba be too old for Connick's Sid? Harsh words here for Harry. He's really really charming and pleasant in person. I would rather like to hear what he can do with The Pajama Game score. As a show, it may be a total product of its time, but it's SO much livelier than the original version of Damn Yankees by the same team. Perhaps presented firmly in its era as a period piece (like the '86 revival of Sweet Charity accomplished), it could work. Whoa to everyone on the team who has to deal with Richard Adler, however.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 12:38pm

magruder, who would you like to see as Babe?

[magruder]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 12:43pm

I was rather impressed with Toni Collette in the Broadway Wild Party. They could be good together.

Updated On: 1/8/05 at 12:43 PM

[FranklinShepard-Inc.]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 12:55pm

Actually I am sure he can vocally carry it (whether sinatraesque or not, who cares!), I am not the biggest fan of his acting skills though. Hmm, at least he'll draw audiences to Broadway who are more hollywood-bound. Looking forward to it somehow.

[magruder]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 12:58pm

John Raitt is practically a plywood board with a voice in the movie version. I think Connick can a least be a little livelier in the acting department, and his vocals should be fine.

[ChrisLovesShows]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 2:15pm

I found him very likable as Lt. Cable in the TV version of South Pacific and I think he's charming on Will and Grace. I'm anxious to see how this turns out.

[Amy Archer]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 2:54pm

I'm counting the minutes til a Corine2 anti-Connick, pro-Barrett screed in this thread.

[MatureDignity]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 3:06pm

I am not a fan... but hoping to be surprised.

[junglered]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 3:07pm

I've seen Harry Connick, Jr. several times in concert and he seems to have a terrific personality. He banters with the audience quite a bit and tells quite a few anecdotal stories. He has a huge fan base and I think that he is an inspired choice for this revival. I'd love to hear him sing "Hey There" on a Broadway stage.

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 3:33pm

magrudeer, I think (alas) that Reba is now a bit too old for Babe, but her pulling out of the ENCORES! production very early on (She was asked first, wanted to do it and re-unite with Brent, but decided she could not get away from her TV filming) one of the great tantalizing 'almosts'. Karen the Z was excellent...but with Reba...oh, have mercy...

The thought of McEntire & Barrett tearing into "There Once Was A Man" is woody-inducing.