Hugh Jackman to play Pal Joey in 2007?

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 11:09am

According to Riedel:

"THERE'S a rumor flying around that Hugh Jack man, musical theater's numero uno leading man, is planning to return to Broadway in a revival of "Stop the World — I Want to Get Off."
Well, Stop the Rumor Mill — I Know the Real Story.

Jackman is indeed laying plans to conquer Broadway again, but not in some old (and dated) Anthony Newley vehicle like "Stop the World."

What he wants to come back with is the great Rodgers and Hart musical "Pal Joey."

Marc Platt, the producer of "Wicked," has the rights to the 1940 musical and has lined up Matthew Bourne, the celebrated British choreographer of "Swan Lake," and Joe Mantello, the in-demand director of "Wicked," "The Odd Couple" and the upcoming "Three Days of Rain," to co-direct the revival.

The original script, by John O'Hara (who based it on his New Yorker series of short stories), is being reworked by Tony Award-winning playwright Richard Greenberg.

Platt hasn't secured Jackman yet, but sources tell me the actor is dead set on doing the show.
______________________________________________________________

"Pal Joey" contains some of Rodgers and Hart's most popular songs — "I Could Write a Book," "Zip," "You Mustn't Kick It Around" and the immortal "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered."

It's just about the last of the great musicals that haven't been revived in recent years, though not for lack of trying.

Fugitive producer Garth Drabinsky tried for years to get it on (with a new book by Terrence McNally) as did Fran and Barry Weissler.

Casting was always the problem, since the show requires a genuine star who can sing, act, dance and make the middle-age ladies swoon.

Jackman's the man.

Look for "Pal Joey" to hit Broadway in spring 2007."



http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/62542.htm

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 11:16am

I love Pal Joey but its older than Stop the World..., and in its original form, even more dated. But I'd rather see Jackman do Joey thant the sometimes annoying Stop the World.. Pal Joey has been rumored for Broadway for so freaking long (Donna Murphy was attached at one point, and still would make a knock-out Vera) that I wouldn't be shocked if this didn't happen either. Jackman could sell it though, and has the right combo of looks, charm, voice, and dance, that Joey needs.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 11:19am

I think it's a slam dunk. Hugh Jackman guarantees box office success and he'll be great in the role (though I'm sure some will complain he's a little too old for it). Greenberg sounds like a good pick work on the book (though I wonder how much he'll soften the Joey character). I'm looking forward to this.

[Plum]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 11:22am

Well, aside from squeeing continually for the past 15 minutes...I'm interested in how the Mantello/Bourne collaberation will go.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 11:24am

Could Joe Mantello PLEASE go away for a while (and maybe go back to MFA directing school)? I don't get it. He messes up more shows than he does well, yet he's the most in demand director in the American theatre. Why?

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 11:27am

Because he brought us the magic that is WICKED.

Which makes him God.

...Right?...RIGHT?!?!?!?

Updated On: 3/1/06 at 11:27 AM

[jo]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 11:29am

Hugh is a fine actor - he could be exactly the opposite of the charming Peter Allen. I am excited about this possibility because it will give him a chance to show us some measure of his acting prowess , on top of the dancing and the singing skills. Have you ever seen him as WOLVERINE ( maybe not ), a bad-tempered, unsmiling mutant who mostly thinks only of himself in THE XMEN? He was also cited for his Joe Gillis performance in Australia, a character not too farfetched from Joey. Surprisingly, it was his performance in THE BOY FROM OZ which convinced film director Darren Aronofsky ( mentioned by some as the new Stanley Kubrick) to cast him in THE FOUNTAIN, a movie for release this year which is receiving some awards buzz early on.

I hope the rumor is true and that Michael Riedel is simply pre-empting the announcement soon.


Updated On: 3/1/06 at 11:29 AM

[philcrosby]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 11:48am

After Jackman, the most critical role would be Vera. There's any age difference with him and previously-mentioned Donna Murphy -- at least they SEEM to be the same age, whether they are or not. Actresses in the 50+ range, sophisticated and sexy .... hmmm. Any ideas?

Posted: 3/1/06 at 11:52am

I tried to watch this the other night on TCM and maybe it was the time, midnight, or some other factor beside the movie itself, but I just couldn't get into it.

But good for Jackman.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 11:58am

The film is quite different.

[Doogie]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 12:04pm

The film is STUPID.

I believe a reading was done a few years ago with John Stamos as Joey, Donna Murphy as Vera, and Laura Benanti as Linda, with I BELIEVE Carolee Carmello as either Melba or Gladys.

Murphy and Carmello did a production at the Huntington of this, I think, as Vera and Linda about 15 years ago. Greenberg had done the book for that, too.

Hugh Jackman for Joey.
Marin Mazzie for Vera.
Laura Benanti for Linda.
Rachel York for Gladys Bumps.
Linda Mugleston for Melba Snyder.

Those are my picks.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 12:08pm

Jackman would be great as Joey. I'd love to see Carolee Carmello as Vera and Emily Skinner as Melba.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 12:10pm

How about Elaine Stritch as Melba?

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 12:11pm

God knows she's played it enough times!

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 12:14pm

I know it's silly to even jokingly talk about it, but can you imagine Stritch stopping the show COLD with "Zip" night after night? For those who've always wanted to see what a standing ovation in the middle of show looks like, that would do it.

[best12bars]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 12:17pm

Hugh is too old. He's not "young and hungry" enough for this opportunistic character.

How is the "older woman" scenario supposed to work with Vera... unless they cast Stritch or Bea Arthur? Even someone like Lupone wouldn't be enough of a contrast next to Hugh.

It's the same problem I had with Judy Garland in "A Star Is Born." We're supposed to believe she's this new, eager "kid" on the block... at a hefty, matronly 35 years of age! (in her case) It doesn't really work as believable, no matter HOW talented the performer is.

Still, Hugh will sell tickets... even if the casting is off, from the start.

[Ourtime992]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 12:18pm

I read through Riedel's article too quickly and mistakenly read it like this:

"Fugitive producer Garth Drabinsky tried for years to get it on with Terrence McNally and did Fran and Barry Weissler."

How kinky!

[hushpuppy]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 12:37pm

I saw Dixie Carter as Vera in the Long Beach production of PAL JOEY and she was superb. She's now 66 but just did a stint as Mrs Meers in MILLIE and is still performing with hubby Hal Holbrook. Victoria Clark's age seems to be a closely guarded secret, but I don't think she's old enough to make it work.

For the record, in the original production, Vivienne Segal was 43 and Gene Kelly was 28. In the 1952 revival, Segal was 54 and Harold Lang was 31

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 12:39pm

Jackman is 37, but looks a few years younger. A 50-something Vera would work just fine.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 12:42pm

I agree, Margo - get a new director. I'm so sick of hearing about him - then I see his work and I'm angry about it.

Otherwise, this sounds wonderful.

[Barihunk]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 12:50pm

Christine Andreas was a wonderful Vera in Philly back in 2003.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 12:54pm

I swear, I've seen Mantello's name pop up in press releases for three or four shows opening on Broadway in the next year. He's booked two years in advance. I don't get it. Aren't these producers and playwrights actually paying attention to how pedestrian and mediocre his work is half the time? Where's Jack O'Brien or George Wolfe when you need them?

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 1:04pm

I agree that Mantello needs to take a "break."

I really see Jackman being able to pull this off, it will make it a hit which honestly I think trumps the negatives.

Also if Stritch were Melba again (and I know it is a joke, and not possible) I may pay to see this show every single day. Literally, every performance.

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 1:17pm

Was Bebe Neuwirth a good Melba in the Encores production?

Maybe she could play it again in this revival?

[jacqueline]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 1:35pm

Just wondering what you have against Joe Mantello, exactly... Take Me Out was excellent; the problems with Wicked weren't his fault (uhh Winnie Holzman?), and the direction was on point; Assassins was great; Laugh Whore was hilarious; and he did a fine job with Glengarry.