Mantello to direct Roundabout's PAL JOEY Revival at Studio 54- Page 2

[allofmylife]

Posted: 3/7/08 at 10:31am

Uh, guys... do any of you remember the name of the guy (I know it's obscure) who played the role originally? Did he have any talent?

Seriously, trying to cast the role that made Gene Kelly a star with Christian Hoff or Raul Esparza is so ridiculous that my sides split.

Again and again I say - look at the score. Half the damn score is dance music or production numbers. This is a dancer's show.

Now, as to Stockard Channing (who can sing): she actually reminds me of Vivienne Segal. That may just work!

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 3/7/08 at 10:48am

Strange. Is there such an incredible wasteland in New York for talented directors that Joe Mantello has to direct EVERYTHING??? Or bring someone in from the UK?


Way off subject, but some time ago I was reading a book that had a group of New York theatermakers bemoaning the "talent drain" of actors in New York. Really? A "talent drain" of actors in New York? What about the damned directors?

[H.Higgins]

Posted: 3/7/08 at 11:45am

Yankeefan-

Care to share any of those rumors you've heard?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/7/08 at 12:51pm

No, simply because they're rumors.

But there's a lengthy thread on All that Chat regarding one of the names I've heard mentioned.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/7/08 at 1:42pm

I'm hopeful but not optimistic. The score is wonderful but was never successfully integrated with the story. Maybe Richard Greenberg will finally do that.

The original John O'Hara New Yorker short stories that were turned into the "novel" were wonderful. Each of the stories were letters from "Pal" Joey to his "Friend Ted," and in honor of the revival, I will change my BWW signature on all my posts to what O'Hara has Joey use as his signature at the end of each story:

Updated On: 3/7/08 at 01:42 PM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 3/7/08 at 2:20pm

Word on ATC is that Marshall is courting a BIG Hollywood name for ANYTHING GOES as opposed to a big Broadway name.

[jewishboy]

Posted: 3/7/08 at 5:01pm

I think that someone on ATC said it was Zeta-Jones who they were trying to get. Sounds fine to me!

[Gothampc]

Posted: 3/7/08 at 5:11pm

Stockard Channing as Vera? I thought Vera was supposed to have a smidgen of sex appeal. While I like Channing as an actress, I'm not thrilled about her playing this role.

[WickedOne2]

Posted: 3/7/08 at 5:47pm

I think Christian Hoff can pull it off and I would definitely go see him in it.

[Brick]

Posted: 3/7/08 at 10:20pm

Yes, word on ATC is that Marshall is courting Catherine Zeta-Jones for ANYTHING GOES.

And as for Channing in PAL JOEY, I only hope she can sing it. Can you imagine hearing "Bewitched..." by a non-singer? And I do agree that Bernadette would have been a great choice, as well.

[gettinhep]

Posted: 3/7/08 at 11:16pm

I was hoping for Donna Murphy for Vera. By all accounts she was marvelous in the Huntington production and did the reading a couple of years ago. I can certainly imagine Ms Murphy and Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered. The lady should be considered. It is her birthday, after all.

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 3/7/08 at 11:42pm

I think Stockard Channing is sexy. She's not too great of a singer, though.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 3/7/08 at 11:58pm

Uh, folks, Stockard Channing was the first replacement for both Julia (the lead role) in "Three Gentlemen of Verona" and for Sonia (the lead role played by Lucy Arnaz) in "They're Playing our Song." Just saying "she can't sing" is about as misguided as saying Christian Hoff can "pull off" the role of Joey. One last time: CHRISTIAN HOFF IS NO GENE KELLY.

Updated On: 3/8/08 at 11:58 PM

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 3/8/08 at 12:10am

I didn't see anyone in this thread say that she couldn't sing.

[Brick]

Posted: 3/8/08 at 12:18am

I certainly think she is an actress who has sung, and probably can sing still.

She was also Liza's replacement in THE RINK, and was said to have been even better than Liza.

That said, hopefully she has been studying voice privately because her most recent singing performance on B'way was 25 years ago. I think she is appropriately cast otherwise. So, I'm hoping the voice is there.
Updated On: 3/8/08 at 12:18 AM

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 3/8/08 at 12:42pm

What are the casting rumors about Anything Goes? Someone needs to spill.

[East Village]

Posted: 3/8/08 at 1:00pm

Catherine Zeta-Jones was mentioned on the other board.