Who Will Be Vera in Pal Joey?
Who Will Be Vera in Pal Joey?
#1Who Will Be Vera in Pal Joey?
Posted: 3/8/08 at 4:18pm
And ideas or rumors? While Joey is critical, so is a great Vera. I know Donna Murphy was attached and since Roundabout is a non-profit theatre, the need for a star isn't critical.
I'd love to see Murphy, but Carolee Carmello or Marin Mazzie would also be fine choices.
Updated On: 3/8/08 at 04:18 PM
Dollypop
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#2re: Who Will Be Vera in Pal Joey?
Posted: 3/8/08 at 4:24pmLuPone's done the role before and was sensational. In fact, LuPone is sensational in everything she does.
"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)
#2re: Who Will Be Vera in Pal Joey?
Posted: 3/8/08 at 4:27pmIf it was up to me, I'd cast Patti in the role. She played it in the Encores production and was phenonmenal. I believe Stockard Channing has been attached to play Vera, but her participation is in doubt because a) she's not a great singer and b)she doesn't want Christian Hoff (who's also "attached") to play Joey and the powers that be want Christian Hoff since the #1 choice, Hugh Jackman, isn't available.
"It does what a musical is supposed to do; it takes you to another world. And it gives you a little tune to carry in your head. Something to take you away from the dreary horrors of the real world. A little something for when you're feeling blue. You know?"
#3re: Who Will Be Vera in Pal Joey?
Posted: 3/8/08 at 4:27pmIf it was up to me, I'd cast Patti in the role. She played it in the Encores production and was phenonmenal. I believe Stockard Channing has been attached to play Vera, but her participation is in doubt because a) she's not a great singer and b)she doesn't want Christian Hoff (who's also "attached") to play Joey and the powers that be want Christian Hoff since the #1 choice, Hugh Jackman, isn't available.
"It does what a musical is supposed to do; it takes you to another world. And it gives you a little tune to carry in your head. Something to take you away from the dreary horrors of the real world. A little something for when you're feeling blue. You know?"
#4re: Who Will Be Vera in Pal Joey?
Posted: 3/8/08 at 4:56pm
DollyPop I'm shocked! I thought you would state the obvious choice for the role:
Loretta Swit
#5re: Who Will Be Vera in Pal Joey?
Posted: 3/8/08 at 5:00pmIsn't Patti kind of old for the role now? She played it almost thirteen years ago. What about La Ebersole?
Some people paint, some people sew, I meddle.
timote316
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/04
#6re: Who Will Be Vera in Pal Joey?
Posted: 3/8/08 at 5:04pmPatti is only 4 years older than Ebersole.
#7re: Who Will Be Vera in Pal Joey?
Posted: 3/8/08 at 5:06pmTrue, true, true.
Some people paint, some people sew, I meddle.
#8re: Who Will Be Vera in Pal Joey?
Posted: 3/8/08 at 5:11pmEbersole has been my first choice for a while.
MrMidwest
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/8/05
#9re: Who Will Be Vera in Pal Joey?
Posted: 3/8/08 at 5:22pmJudy Davis would be excellent.
"The gods who nurse this universe think little of mortals' cares. They sit in crowds on exclusive clouds and laugh at our love affairs. I might have had a real romance if they'd given me a chance. I loved him, but he didn't love me. I wanted him, but he didn't want me. Then the gods had a spree and indulged in another whim. Now he loves me, but I don't love him." - Cole Porter
#11re: Who Will Be Vera in Pal Joey?
Posted: 3/8/08 at 5:29pmThis role is too close to other things Ebersole has done. She could do the role in her sleep, but there are better performers who would bring something vibrant to the role.
keen on kean
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/1/06
#12re: Who Will Be Vera in Pal Joey?
Posted: 3/8/08 at 7:17pmSorry if this is a dumb question, but does Judy Davis sing?
Ed_Mottershead
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/20/05
#13re: Who Will Be Vera in Pal Joey?
Posted: 3/8/08 at 7:48pm
I'm almost sure that Stockard Channing is a front runner. She has musical experience -- she replaced Liza Minelli in The Rink (I know, that was a long time ago) and was, by all reports of the lucky few who saw her, better than Liza (who wasn't in great health at that time).
I'm more concerned about the casting of Joey. For a fully staged production, the Joey MUST be a DANCER. Much as I like Peter Gallagher, he was able to get away with it at Encores! because the dancing aspect was a secondary consideration for that production. I know it would never happen, but it seems to me that Curtis Holbrook has all the credentials -- (maybe he could be the standby and I'd get to see him do it that way). I'm just thrilled that PJ is finally coming back -- it's one of my all-time favorite musicals. I pray to God Roundabout doesn't do to it what it did to that misguided Follies of some years back and that MISERABLE production of 3-Penny Opera. And boo-hiss for its being at Studio 54. I swore I'd never set foot in that awful rat-trap again, but my ardor for PJ trumps any other consideration.
BroadwayEd
Updated On: 3/8/08 at 07:48 PM
Dollypop
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#14re: Who Will Be Vera in Pal Joey?
Posted: 3/8/08 at 7:54pmLoretta Swit woould be remarkable, but she's preparing for her upcoming appearance in MAMMA MIA! and won't be available for a while.
"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)
RoseStopnikCooks
Stand-by Joined: 12/19/07
#15re: Who Will Be Vera in Pal Joey?
Posted: 3/8/08 at 8:48pmRumor has it the role's been offered to Cyndi Lauper.
#17re: Who Will Be Vera in Pal Joey?
Posted: 3/8/08 at 10:23pm
But more importantly...Who will play Melba?
I honestly don't think anyone can top Stritch's version of "Zip".
"Light the candles! Get the ice out! Roll the rug up, it's today!"
#18re: Who Will Be Vera in Pal Joey?
Posted: 3/8/08 at 10:27pmI'd much rather see Andy Karl or Tony Yazbeck as Joey. As for Melba, is age impoartant? How about Debra Monk?
"It does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are 20 gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg."
-- Thomas Jefferson
#19re: Who Will Be Vera in Pal Joey?
Posted: 3/8/08 at 10:57pm
What about Melba?
My roommate sat in front of Martha Plimpton at the theatre a few weeks ago, and overheard her mention that she was doing a reading for PAL JOEY. My mind immediately went to Melba.
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
#20re: Who Will Be Vera in Pal Joey?
Posted: 3/8/08 at 10:59pmMartha and Debra would be great! Hmm, I wonder who else?
"Light the candles! Get the ice out! Roll the rug up, it's today!"
#21re: Who Will Be Vera in Pal Joey?
Posted: 3/9/08 at 12:08am
I am pretty sure Lauper is being considered for either Melba or Gladys, not Vera.
Murphy was in the reading for the now-dead Weisslers-produced revival. She has played the role regionally at least twice to much acclaim. She should be the one doing it. However, I am pretty sure it is Channing's role by now.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
#22re: Who Will Be Vera in Pal Joey?
Posted: 3/9/08 at 12:42am
Channing is said to still be attached to play Vera, though she is not official as Hoff is.
Cyndi Lauper is in the mix for Gladys.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#23re: Who Will Be Vera in Pal Joey?
Posted: 3/9/08 at 1:36am
Let's Give Mary Testa a role!!!!!!
Also, I think Harry Connick Jr. would be an ideal Joey!
#24re: Who Will Be Vera in Pal Joey?
Posted: 3/9/08 at 1:48amWell, now it seems that Channing and Hoff are official for Vera and Joey. Lauper will be Gladys Bumps.
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