Matthew Morrison as PAL JOEY?- Page 2

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/20/08 at 11:03pm

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seriously some of these suggestions?
Updated On: 5/20/08 at 11:03 PM

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/20/08 at 11:12pm

Put down the crack pipe now!!!!
and step away from the keyboard...

[Smaxie]

Posted: 5/20/08 at 11:17pm

I think the Joey in this Pal Joey is more of a third-rate entertainer with big aspirations than a phenomenal dancer in the Gene Kelly mold.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 5/20/08 at 11:59pm

I personally would love to see Matt get back into his dancing routes while singing. That would be great.

I can't pretend to know enough about Pal Joey to say that Matt or Michael or _________ would be amazing but Gene Kelly was amazing, of course.

It's a great role. There are phenomenal dancers out there, and I realize it's hard to top Gene Kelly but I dont' think it can't not be done.

[elphiesmagic]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 12:05am

Tyler Hanes?

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 12:13am

Love him, no.
He needs more experoence and weathering.

[elphiesmagic]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 12:17am

I have to admit I don't know the show, but reading this thread, I was just trying to come up with a great dancing actor.

[jeffrey1dog]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 12:39am

Curtis Holbrook?

[Eris0303]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 1:18am

So, does any actor playing Joey have to be a phenomenal dancer?

[allofmylife]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 1:26am

Okay, here begineth the lesson for the night.

Gene Kelly came to New York to be a hoofer in the mid 1930s, having grown up in the world of dance. His family ran a dance studio and he taught there. He was one of the best tap dancers in the business - and this was during a time when giants like Astaire and Bill Robinson trod the boards.

As I am writing this, I am watching the extraordinary documentary about his career which played a few years ago on PBS. In the middle is a 30 second clip of Kelly dancing in the original production of "Pal Joey." I believe it is from an amazing cache of these "home movies" owned by Miles Kruger, author of the definitive book on Show Boat.

The clip is a revelation. It is taken from about the fifth row center in the Shubert Theater, probably shortly after opening night. Kelly, in a dark suit, is leading the chorus in "You Mustn't Kick It Around" (although they have incorrectly matched it to music from "Plant You Now, Dig You Later" but no matter).

Kelly is clearly ABSOLUTELY one million times better than any of the other dancers on stage, even when they are all doing the unison steps.

And he's doing his patented windmill spins and then effortlessly tap dancing and then doing the windmills again and again, just like he did in the movies. It's amazing.

Equally as interesting is the look of utter joi de vivre on the faces of the other dancers. One can only assume they know they are backing up a pure genius and this will probably be the highlight of their careers.

Pal Joey was written expressly for Kelly. He didn't try out for the part, they wrote songs for him and he collaborated with Robert Alton on the dance routines, which were riddles with Kellyisms like the windmills and the mix of tapsteps with ballet leaps.

There are many many many pages of dance music in the score. This part was written for Kelly - a dancer who could sing, NOT for a singer who could dance.

Please note the revival starred Harold Lang, a brilliant hoffer who had become famous in "Kiss Me Kate" and the star of the Lincoln Center revival was some guy named Bob Fossee (not sure what his talent was... oh... yeah........ riiiiight......)

There is not one person on this website who would stomach the suggestion of Christian Hoff or Matthew Morrison playing Emile de Becque in "South Pacific". You would all be screaming "He has to be a bass opera singer." Why do so many of you keep suggesting the bastardization of Joey Evans in "Pal Joey?" It's equally insulting.

If you can't dance in time, don't be part of this crime.

Thus endeth the lesson.

here's a photo gallery:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3wyQdBd770

here is the footage itself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsvDiqzSUBQ

Updated On: 5/21/08 at 01:26 AM

[insertclevernamehere]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 1:36am

Didn't Jackman say he was just about ready to go back to Broadway?

[A Director]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 3:04am

If allofmylife is going to demand a great tap dancer play Joey, there is only one choice, the greatest living tap dancer, SAVION GLOVER!

[allofmylife]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 3:10am

I just want to respect the author's choices. We would blanch at Harvey F playing Curly in Oklahoma, although he could probably pull it off, it would massively change the show and subvert the intention of the show's creators.

Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

(Exception for "Fiddler" noted, but in that case, Harvey being Jewish was an IMPROVEMENT over Alfred Molina just by showing up).

[mallardo]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 4:05am

Wait a minute, allofmylife, you're saying you can't play Tevye unless you're Jewish? Really?

[allofmylife]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 5:15am

You don't have to be Jewish to play Tevye.

But it wouldn't hurt, either.

[mallardo]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 6:41am

Okay, that's better. Personally I thought Alfred Molina was pretty damn good in the part - a lot better than most of the production surrounding him. But, meanwhile, back at Pal Joey...

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 6:52am

I don't even understand why this discussion is taking place.

Whether he is believed to be a good choice or not, Christian Hoff has already signed on to star as Joey in the revival.

It's a done deal, so any other speculation is moot.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 6:55am

Wow, those clips are amazing.

I vote for Michael Berresse.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 7:28am

> It is taken from about the fifth row center in the Shubert Theater, probably shortly after opening night.<

Pal Joey opened at the Barrymore. (It's even on the window card you posted). It later moved to the Shubert and then also the St. James, I think. But if the video was shot around opening night, it would have been at the Barrymore.

Updated On: 5/21/08 at 07:28 AM

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 8:30am

Allofmylife: Your posts are always thoughtful and insightful and many have such intriguing visuals. I always look forward to hearing from you.

I love PAL JOEY, having seen it at Encores! without much dancing, and the movie version which only tackles the singing and OK acting of Frank Sinatra. And I find Rita Hayworth annoying. I look forward to seeing any upcoming PAL JOEY with a great dancer in the lead role and paging the brilliant set designer Jo Mielziner's successor.

Updated On: 5/21/08 at 08:30 AM

[Smaxie]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 10:06am

Scott Pask will be designing the sets for the new Pal Joey. His work is largely excellent, especially when he has a budget.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 10:30am

I've been yelling about Curtis being a perfect match for Pal Joey for over a year. It's a dance role and Curtis is a superb dancer, perfect for the style of the show. Plus, he's a charmer, he can sing and act. And, has charisma to die for. This could be his career-making role. Please, please, please, someone with the clout to get him in the revival, start working on this now!!!!!

[madbrian]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 11:25am

Tony Yazbeck

[allofmylife]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 11:32am

Smaxie, you're right. It was the Barrymore. I put that up in the middle of the night, Los Angeles time and I was exhausted. Sorry. And it was probably just after opening night. The owner of the footage told me the kid (yes, he was a kid, apparently) usually went early in the run. He went to see everything. You have no idea how wonderful that treasure trove of footage is.

Actually, by 1941, he was probably a young adult. I'm still tired.....

Updated On: 5/21/08 at 11:32 AM

[allofmylife]

Posted: 5/21/08 at 12:07pm