Christian Hoff to Headline Pal Joey Broadway Revival?

Variety reports that Tony Award-winning Jersey Boys star Christian Hoff's next project may be a Broadway revival of the 1940 Rodgers and Hart classic Pal Joey.

While the article stresses that "Hoff's deal is not yet done" and that right now his casting is just "the word around town," Pal Joey "is said to be aiming for a Broadway berth in the spring."  Joe Mantello (Blackbird, Wicked, Take Me Out) would helm the revival, which would be produced by Marc Platt (Wicked).  Hoff would play Joey, "a cad who seduces a rich married woman so that she will set him up with his own nightclub." Platt would most likely lead a team of producers if the show is confirmed for a Broadway run.

Hoff won a Tony Award for playing Tommy DeVito in Broadway's Jersey Boys.  He has also appeared on Broadway in The Who's Tommy, as well as in the Actors Fund concert of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.

With music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Lorenz Hart and a book by John O'Hara (adapted from the authors' short stories), Pal Joey was last year the subject of rumors of a revival starring Hugh Jackman.  The musical - which has not been seen on Broadway since its last 1976 revival - features a score that includes "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered," "I Could Write a Book," You Mustn't Kick It Around," and "Zip."  Originally staged by George Abbott, Pal Joey originally starred Gene Kelly in the title role.  It was also revived at Encores! - with Patti LuPone as amorous older woman Vera Simpson and Peter Gallagher as Joey - in 1995.  Frank Sinatra, Kim Novak and Rita Hayworth headlined the 1957 film version.

Photo of Christian Hoff by Ben Strothmann