Hugh Jackman to play Pal Joey in 2007?- Page 3

[kyle33nyc]

Posted: 3/2/06 at 1:36pm

Mantello is most likely so in demand and so popular as a director with various playwrights and comapanies (such as Roundabout) because he forfeits control to the other parties. Whatever the playwright wants to see up on stage will be honored. I think this has largely worked out well for Mantello, because he has been fortunate to direct some quality material. I can't help thinking that many of his productions would have been much stronger with a visionary director holding the reins.

Does anyone know why George C. Wolfe is not more often on the boards since leaving the Public? Lakawanna Blues couldn't have taken that much time to direct...

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/2/06 at 2:08pm

I know Wolfe is set to direct Streep in Mother Courage (with a new translation by Tony Kushner) this summer. Not sure what else he might have lined up. I know that he's a VERY hands on director who likes to be involved at the earliest stages of development of a new work, so it necessarily can take a couple of years for one of his projects to be ready to be presented to the public (I think CAROLINE took 2-3 years). It's possible that he has a couple things in the works that we won't be seeing until a couple of seasons from now.

[jo]

Posted: 3/2/06 at 10:51pm

George Wolfe directed, together with Kathleen Marshall as choreographer, Hugh Jackman's one-man show last spring which opened WYNN LAS VEGAS ( by invitation only, with guests like former President George Bush Sr, Elizabeth Taylor, Steven Speilberg, Donald Trump, etc). An extended version of that show was supposed to have been booked for Broadway for a limited run, but that doesn't seem to be forthcoming. One number found itself in the 2005 TONYs ( "Never Gonna Dance").


Updated On: 3/2/06 at 10:51 PM

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 3/2/06 at 11:46pm

Who will believe Hugh in "straight" role?
(it's a joke, don't jump on me)
I actually think Hugh could pull this off
(with Stockard)
He has the cockiness, chops, and dancin' feet
Go for it!
will Montello direct?
I rather Leveau or Mendes
More creative directors in my opinion

[TheaterAddict7652]

Posted: 3/2/06 at 11:56pm

Um, what? Butz said in an interview he wanted the role, so he's going to get it?

I wasn't suggesting that Butz was interested in playing Joey in this revival- or that he was interested in playing Joey on Broadway. It was just one line from a playbill.com interview from about two and a half years ago. It metioned that Butz was a fan of Rodgers and Hart growing up and he wanted to do Pal Joey. I have no idea if Butz is interested in this show.

But, the other thing I was saying, is Hugh Jackman guarenteed to play Joey, or will there be other people considered for the role?
Plabill.com Interview

[Fan2]

Posted: 3/7/06 at 9:54pm

In an interview with Matthew Bourne dated Feb. 21 - notice the "sexy casting" part.

http://www.playbill.com/celebritybuzz/article/98009.html

Playbill.com: You're also planning to revive Pal Joey for the Broadway stage.

MB: Yes. I'm talking to Joe Mantello about co-directing it. We're looking at the various versions of it that are currently in existence to see what version we would like and what we would want to develop. It's quite casting-dependent for me. The thing that's going to get me excited is a really sexy casting. I think we're also looking to do it in not a traditionally conventional space. But, it's sort of early days yet. It won't be this year, it would be the following year, I think. But, it's exciting, I don't think it's a musical that's got a strong identity attached to it, in terms of a director or choreographer from the past. I've been offered revivals of things, like Sweet Charity and shows like that and I just can't see it in any other way than how the original creators created it. I'd rather not put myself up against that.