PAL JOEY -- First Preview Thoughts- Page 3

[jordangirl]

Posted: 11/15/08 at 11:30am

IMHO, those were the most impressive...even if extremely reminiscent (to me anyway) of the Garden of Eden costumes in Gypsy. Maybe that was the point?

The rest were...clothes, really.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 11/15/08 at 12:32pm

I was so looking forward to this production. I can't believe it's getting such negative remarks on here...too bad.

I hope they turn it around, it's such a fantastic show.

[H.Higgins]

Posted: 11/15/08 at 12:53pm

The reason to revive "Pal Joey" is a true star-quality leading man waiting in the wings to take on this role and truly shine in it.

That wasn't the case here. Why Hoff? He was a poor choice from the get-go. He's simply not the kind of actor that holds the whole stage and owns the room, and as Best12bars pointed out, he's also just not the right type.

If Hugh Jackman had wanted to star on Broadway in "Pal Joey", this should have been revived in a New York minute. But otherwise? Forget about it.

[guymy13]

Posted: 11/15/08 at 1:18pm

Going into the show last night, I knew nothing about Pal Joey, but I had a good time. I agree that Martha Plimpton stole the show, but I thought that the other actors did a great job as well. I was surprised to see the negative reaction this is getting online. Hopefully they make the changes needed so that everyone enjoys it.

[wickedfan]

Posted: 11/15/08 at 1:22pm

I'm confused, so Martha's character now sings "Zip" in the updated book? What happened to the reporter?

[barcelona20]

Posted: 11/15/08 at 1:36pm

Reporter is gone. Martha's character is dressed up like a reporter initially, and as part of the act, starts questioning him.

Joey leaves, and then Martha takes center stage with Zip.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 11/15/08 at 2:19pm

I liked the costumes alot, and the sets were very good.

It was just Hoff--- his character is just too central, and on stage way too much, to have someone perform the role so poorly.

I had no connection with him AT ALL.

I kept wishing he would turn into James Marsden !! (or anyone else, but Marsden was the first to pop into my head)

There is a certain charisma/charm needed for this role (other than the obvious ability to dance and sing), that Hoff just doesnt possess.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/15/08 at 2:51pm

"Reporter is gone. Martha's character is dressed up like a reporter initially, and as part of the act, starts questioning him."

So, they combined those two female roles then? I was wondering what happened to "Stritch's part." It's gone now. Absorbed and blended!

[Testing1232]

Posted: 11/15/08 at 2:56pm

.... and while we are at it... Could we at least have COLOR Playbill's the FIRST night !!??? :))

[mc1227]

Posted: 11/15/08 at 3:05pm

I have tickets to this show in January and I hope they make some improvements. I was pleased when Hoff was announced as the star, but didn't realize his singing and dancing wasn't up to the task. Like most others, I thought he was marvelous in "Jersey Boys".

I hestitantly chose this show as one of three at Roundabout this season because of Joe Mantello's involvement. I honestly believe that he doesn't get the best from the actors he is given. He doesn't make anyone better, he just hopes that the cast he has gives him an A+ performance. Let's hope he can make the necessary adjustments.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/15/08 at 3:06pm

...and I'm sorry but that set looks like the trendy entrance to a men's room in a WeHo dance club.

Maybe it loses something in the photo.

[MissAnneThrop]

Posted: 11/15/08 at 3:52pm

Can someone print the cast list/songs page? thanks.

[logan0215]

Posted: 11/15/08 at 4:14pm

AND that section of the set is used for a barely 5-minute song and dance number and doesn't reflect what the majority of the show looks like.

[perfectliar]

Posted: 11/15/08 at 4:16pm

CAST (in order of appearance):

Joey Evans... Christian Hoff
Mike... Robert Clohessy
Val... Nadine Isenegger
Gladys Bumps... Martha Plimpton
Diane... Kathryn Mowat Murphy
Cookie... Lisa Gajda
Linda English... Jenny Fellner
Hank Armour... Brian Barry
Seaver Swift... Timothy J. Alex
Vera Simpson... Stockard Channing
Ted... Anthony Holds
Drummer... Matthew Risch
Ernest... Steven Skybell
Tailor Shop Customer... Anthony Holds
Ludlow Lowell... Daniel Marcus
The Kid... Hayley Podschun
Workman... Mark Morettini
Ensemble... Timothy J. Alex, Brian Barry, Bahiyah Sayyed Gaines, Lisa Gajda, Anthony Holds, Nadine Isenegger, Mark Morettini, Kahryn Mowat Murphy, Hayley Podschun, Matthew Risch, Krista Saab
Swings... Abbey O'Brien, Eric Sciotto
Club Patrons... Meredith Forlenza, Quinn Mattfield, Nicole Orth-Pallavicini

[perfectliar]

Posted: 11/15/08 at 4:20pm

Musical Numbers

Act One:

Overture
Chicago (Joey)
You Mustn't Kick It Around (Joey, Gladys, Girls)
I Could Write a Book (Joey, Linda)
Chicago - Reprise (Girls)
That Terrific Rainbow (Gladys, Girls)
What Is a Man? (Vera)
Are You My Love? (Joey, Linda)
Happy Hunting Horn (Joey, Girls)
Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered (Vera)
Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered - Reprise (Vera)
Pal Joey (What Do I Care for a Dame?) (Joey)
Chez Joey (Joey, Company)

Act Two:

The Flower Garden of My Heart (Ludlow Lowell, Gladys, Girls)
In Our Little Den of Iniquity (Joey, Vera)
Zip (Gladys)
Plant You Now, Dig You Later (Girls)
Do It the Hard Way (Joey, Linda)
Zip - Reprise (Val)
I Still Believe in You (Linda)
Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered - Reprise (Vera)
Take Him (Linda, Vera)
I'm Talkin' to My Pal (Joey)
I Still Believe in You - Reprise (Linda)
I Could Write a Book - Reprise (Joey)

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 11/15/08 at 4:22pm

perfectliar, who are the understudies?

I assume Hayley Podschun is covering Linda, Matthew Risch is covering Joey, and Nadine Isenegger is covering Gladys?

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 11/15/08 at 4:51pm

From what I have been reading it is Hoff's singing that is bad and his dancing and acting that are good. Isn't this the opposite of what everyone was predicting?

[logan0215]

Posted: 11/15/08 at 4:56pm

His dancing was passable and his acting was one-note, so I wouldn't agree with that.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 11/15/08 at 4:56pm

<< From what I have been reading it is Hoff's singing that is bad and his dancing and acting that are good. Isn't this the opposite of what everyone was predicting? >>

I thought his singing was horrible---- his dancing and acting are just bad.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 11/15/08 at 5:08pm

Is anyone familiar with the orchestra seating at Studio 54?

I have always sat in the mezzanine there and just picked up a seat in Orch Row A Seat 4 for tonight.

Any insight is greatly appreciated.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 11/15/08 at 5:26pm

Specifically, what's wrong with his voice. Has it gotten worse since Jersey Boys, not better?

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 11/15/08 at 5:44pm

I'm sorry but if these reports are accurate, then he should definitely be replaced and someone with actual dancing skills and enough charisma to carry the show should be brought in.
I'm still surprised that Stockard Channing doesn't seem to be doing well in the show either, wonder if it's just a matter of her getting comfortable with the material.

[logan0215]

Posted: 11/15/08 at 5:53pm

Mattbrain, I'm not really sure how to go into the specifics of "miscast."

Basically, his voice does not qualify the smoothness and subtle power of a crooner which this part was clearly written for. He struggles in his upper register which is heavily used during the score and uses what sounds to be an underdeveloped head voice. He also closed off many of his vowels and word-endings in order to carry off notes therefore muffling his already bad singing.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 11/15/08 at 5:56pm

Well maybe he's just trying different things? Who knows. I'm sure he'll be up to the task by opening night - at least one can hope.

[joneswright08]

Posted: 11/15/08 at 6:35pm

Mattbrain-how could anyone have known about Hoff's singing in Jersey Boys? He didn't sing much at all...