Kennedy Center 2012 PAL JOEY

[North2009]

Posted: 10/13/11 at 11:13am

Just saw casting notice for Kennedy Center's 2012 production of PAL JOEY. Oddly enough the original author of the short stories is listed as "book by" and the character break down is very interesting with the addition of Vera's husband and stepson, Walter Winchell, a band leader and his wife and Linda's boyfriend. Also does not list Ludlow or Melba as characters.
Any one have any information on this seemingly "new" production?

[Smaxie]

Posted: 10/13/11 at 11:20am

John O'Hara, who wrote the original short stories, wrote the original book for Pal Joey, though the Kennedy Center is using a revision by Terrence McNally.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 10/13/11 at 11:28am

Fascinating.
Might have to organize a road trip for this...

[AC126748]

Posted: 10/13/11 at 11:32am

Perhaps they've eliminated Melba and given "Zip" to Gladys, as the Greenburg book does.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 10/13/11 at 11:33am

Can Donna Murphy play Vera this time? I was bummed out she didn't play the part in the most recent revival. I know she's not very interested in doing revivals now but a short run like this would be right up her alley.

[AC126748]

Posted: 10/13/11 at 11:38am

I'm hoping for Jan Maxwell or Vanessa Williams, but Murphy would be great too. (She already played it once, at a ridiculously young age for the character--35 or something).

[North2009]

Posted: 10/13/11 at 11:43am

Maxwell or Williams or Murphy all great choices.
Wondering how much the changes in character break-down will change the score, what with the addition of a singing Mr. Simpson and son.

[AC126748]

Posted: 10/13/11 at 11:47am

I'm sure my casting choices are just pipe dreams, as Jan said in a recent interview that she doesn't like working out of town (FOLLIES was a rare exception, and she almost turned it down) and Williams might be busy doing other things.

I haven't seen the casting breakdown, but in the Roundabout production, Melba was cut and Gladys (Martha Plimpton) performed "Zip" as a cabaret number. It was the production's sole triumph.

ETA: Just looked at the casting notice--I'm glad that they seem to be looking for "bona fide Washington DC residents" as well as New York actors. Eleasha Gamble, who's currently playing Laurey in the Arena Stage OKLAHOMA, would make a fabulous Linda English.

Updated On: 10/13/11 at 11:47 AM

[mallardo]

Posted: 10/13/11 at 11:54am

Yes, but this is a show that lives or dies by the actor playing Joey - as the Roundabout found out.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 10/13/11 at 12:53pm

Count PalJoey in for that Pal Joey road trip, Addy!

Updated On: 10/13/11 at 12:53 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/13/11 at 1:23pm

How about Colin Donell?

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 10/13/11 at 1:59pm

Christian Hoff?

[charlesjguiteau]

Posted: 10/13/11 at 2:11pm

@AC-- sorry to disagree about Martha Plimpton being the sole triumph of the Roundabout revival. We actually loved Stockard Channing despite her less-than-powerhouse singing voice. We loved the set and quite a bit of the staging too. It's a tough show to pull off and we thought the Roundabout gave it a lot of life we didn't think it had.

[AC126748]

Posted: 10/13/11 at 2:33pm

Channing acted the role well, but I couldn't get past her diminished singing voice. There's a reason why this upcoming production emphasizes that they want a "GREAT singer" (their caps) for Vera. Plimpton walked away from the show, in my opinion.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 10/13/11 at 4:03pm

Is there any chance this production could move to Broadway?

[SondheimFan5]

Posted: 10/13/11 at 4:52pm

I doubt it will go anywhere, the Roundabout revival was so recently.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 10/13/11 at 5:12pm

PalJoey, I wouldn't have it any other way!

Besty, I love the idea of Colin Donnell.

Updated On: 10/13/11 at 05:12 PM

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 10/13/11 at 6:08pm

I loved Roundabout's PAL JOEY and the much maligned Matt Risch and Stockard Channing. I saw that production three times and I adored it.

I thought Stockard completely committed to the part and she broke my heart every time. I could look past the weak vocals.

I think Risch was fantastic and did amazing with having to step in at the last minute.

Plimpton was a revelation and deserved the Tony.

I loved the direction and the set design. I thought the whole thing was exceptional.

I wish it was recorded.

I think Colin Donnell would be great too.

[AC126748]

Posted: 10/13/11 at 6:10pm

Tony Yazbeck.

[SondheimFan5]

Posted: 10/13/11 at 6:32pm

Yazbeck would actually be excellent as Joey

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/13/11 at 7:04pm

Tony is a handsome, talented guy ... but I think too working-class for Joey. Even with a tux on. A little too gangsterish, even with his boyish charm. It shouldn't be that obvious.

Joey should look like a million bucks, from the right side of the tracks, even if he's anything but. Colin is someone you could see rich women of that era dying for.

And yes, I'm talking about shallow "types," but we (as an audience) have to understand why everyone falls for and puts up with his crap. Without that, you don't have a show.

Tony looks like the chauffeur they would have a secret fling with. Colin looks like the Yale man born into money they would show off on their arm as a prize. And in Joey's game of opportunity, it's all about looks.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 10/13/11 at 7:20pm

You're wrong. Joey is 100% working class.

Read the O'Hara short stories.

He is NOT "a million bucks." He is a fiver, borrowed--and not repaid.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 10/13/11 at 7:32pm

Joey is raw, rough around the edges, street smart but uneducated. O'Hara write the stories as sloppy, slang-filled, admittedly misspelled letters to "Friend Ted" from his "Pal Joey."

The character is far from polished and slick.

Here are some are choice verbatim excerpts:

"DEAR PAL TED: Well at last I am getting around to knocking off a line or two to let you know how much I apprsiate it you sending me that wire on opening nite."

===

"So I entered into the situation and informed them that i would take care of the clothes dept. and out of my own pocket advanced her $9.50 so she could pour herself into a $39.50 no. that showed everything but her scar where she had the appendisetis if she ever had it (some spelling I admit)."

===

"I do not know how I happen to miss Mavis but I did not see her until I had to go in again and polish off some more dittys and they had a table ringside, and I went over and asked them if they had any request nos. and Mavis asked for two requests but did not have both of them only the Beguin no. The other was an oldy like My Buddy which they were singing during the civil war. I know it but forgot the lyics. She looked around 32 or 33, inclined to take on a little weight but I also like them zoftick as some goose in the band says."

===

"I know there is no larceny in you Ted boy so what I am going to do is go to a music store and get one of those recording machines and play the tune and cut a wax of it. I will cut a couple and send one to you so that if you lose it or anything I will still have one and anyway that will show that it was my idea. Then when I send it to you you play it over and see if you think it has possibilities and if so maybe you can get Johnny Mercer or somebody to write some lyrics for it. I will guarantee to let you play it first over the air and who knows but perhaps that is not a new career for me, that of song writer. I have a lot of ideas along this line and only need a little encouragement. My tune can be played as either a rumba or conga, fox trot or waltz. If I could get a good Ascap rating this year I would quit this business in a minute and stop worrying about Harry the explorer. So look in the mail any day now for a record. Be sure and tell your secretary that anything from me is to go to you without opening it.

As always,
PAL JOEY"

Updated On: 10/13/11 at 07:32 PM

[allofmylife]

Posted: 10/13/11 at 9:18pm

As long as it ends up looking like this, I'll be happy.

[bwaysteve2]

Posted: 10/13/11 at 10:16pm

These are great Kodachrome jewels from years past.Thanks for posting!