Pal Joey is a musical with a book by John O'Hara (from his novel of the same title) and music and lyrics by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart based on a character and situations O'Hara created in a series of short stories published in The New Yorker. It includes two songs that have become standards: "I Could Write a Book" and "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered". The original 1940 Broadway production was directed by George Abbott and starred Gene Kelly. There have been several revivals since, including a 2008-09 Broadway run, and a 1957 film adaptation starring Frank Sinatra, Rita Hayworth and Kim Novak. The 2008 revival starred Stockard Channing as Vera, Martha Plimpton as Gladys, Matthew Risch as Joey, Jenny Fellner as Linda, and Robert Clohessy as Mike.
As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Broadway legend Elaine Stritch left New York City for good in May, after 71 years here, to relocate to her home state of Michigan. Now in a recent interview with Fairweather Magazine, the 88-year old opened up about her new life outside of the Big Apple. Stritch told Fairweather: 'I have a natural input fear of myself that goes in front of me. It's almost like someone says every time I walk into the room, 'Ladies and gentlemen…Elaine Stritch. There's something that says get out of my way, it's going to be my turn, because you need the love of the audience. My assistant/friend, Marge, says you can't live without an audience. That's why I'm questionable about this move. I don't know if it is going to work or not.'
The Buck Creek Players will wrap up their 39th season 'In the Spotlight' with their fifth biennial Play-A-Part Fundraiser of the hit musical, Oklahoma!, sponsored in part by The Friends of Sue Leavell. Quickly becoming a BCP audience favorite, the Play-A-Part Fundraisers separate themselves from the playhouse's traditional community theater productions in that all roles are 'won' through an online silent auction with no required auditions! Veteran musical theater performers join first-timers to give this classic musical a comedic twist much like The Carol Burnett Show. Oklahoma features music by Richard Rodgers, and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Boasting one of Broadway's most memorable scores, including 'Oh What a Beautiful Mornin',' 'The Surrey With the Fringe on Top,' 'I Cain't Say No,' and the title tune, you can bet that this comedic take on the traditional classic musical will definitely bring a smile to your face.
As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Broadway legend Elaine Stritch recently announced that she would be leaving New York City for good, after 71 years here, to relocate to her home state of Michigan. According to the New York Post, the 88 year-old just left her home at the Carlyle, and 35 hotel employees were there to see her off when she got off the elevator.
As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Broadway legend Elaine Stritch recently announced that she would be leaving New York City for good, after 71 years here, to relocate to her home state of Michigan. According to the New York Post, the 88 year-old just left her home at the Carlyle, and 35 hotel employees were there to see her off when she got off the elevator.
The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel has just announced the return of its most famous resident, Elaine Stritch, to the Café Carlyle for her final engagement. Her new show, Elaine Stritch at the Carlyle: Movin' Over and Out, a freeform evening of story and song, will play for one week only. This will be the final chance to see Ms. Stritch – who has been dubbed the Carlyle's own “Octogenarian Eloise” – give one of her now-legendary performances at her home venue, before she leaves the Carlyle Hotel and the city of New York for good. (Ms. Stritch will be relocating to her home state of Michigan.) Elaine Stritch has played 4 sold-out engagements at the Café Carlyle over the past 7 years.
Tony Award winner Elaine Stritch will perform her concert, 'Singin' Sondheim...One Song at a Time' at the Cafe Carlyle from April 20 - April 29, 2010. Stritch will additionally perform the show as part of Hartford Stage's 2010 SummerStage series from June 17 - 20, 2010, as BroadwayWorld previously reported. Stritch will be joined in Hartford by Chita Rivera and Ben Vereen, who will also be performing solo concerts in Hartford on June 22-27 and July 6-11, respectively.
Tony Award winner Elaine Stritch will perform her concert, 'Singin' Sondheim...One Song at a Time' at the Cafe Carlyle from April 20 - April 29, 2010. Stritch will additionally perform the show as part of Hartford Stage's 2010 SummerStage series from June 17 - 20, 2010, as BroadwayWorld previously reported. Stritch will be joined in Hartford by Chita Rivera and Ben Vereen, who will also be performing solo concerts in Hartford on June 22-27 and July 6-11, respectively.
Rossini's rarely performed Armida has its Met premiere on April 12 with a gala performance of Mary Zimmerman's new production. Renowned soprano Renée Fleming stars as the mythological sorceress, Armida, one of the greatest virtuoso roles from the bel canto repertory. Fleming is joined by Lawrence Brownlee, who sings Armida's chief love interest, Rinaldo, and five more tenors in the roles of the crusader knights. José Manuel Zapata portrays Rinaldo's deadly rival Gernando.
Rossini's rarely performed Armida has its Met premiere on April 12 with a gala performance of Mary Zimmerman's new production. Renowned soprano Renée Fleming stars as the mythological sorceress, Armida, one of the greatest virtuoso roles from the bel canto repertory. Fleming is joined by Lawrence Brownlee, who sings Armida's chief love interest, Rinaldo, and five more tenors in the roles of the crusader knights. José Manuel Zapata portrays Rinaldo's deadly rival Gernando.
The New York Philharmonic will present SONDHEIM: The Birthday Concert on March 15 and Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at 7:30 p.m. This celebration of the 80th birthday of the great Broadway and film composer/lyricist will include his most enduring orchestral music and songs - performed, in some cases, by the stars of the original Broadway cast productions - in addition to rarely-heard material. Joining the celebration will be (in alphabetical order) Michael Cerveris, Victoria Clark, Jason Danieley, Nathan Gunn, George Hearn, Patti LuPone, Marin Mazzie, Audra McDonald, Donna Murphy, Mandy Patinkin, Bernadette Peters, and others to be announced, including surprise guests. Paul Gemignani, Mr. Sondheim's longtime collaborator, will conduct the New York Philharmonic; Lonny Price is the director; and Mr. Price and Matt Cowart are the producers.
The Carrollwood Cultural Center Presents JAZZ WITH JIM: THE MUSIC OF RICHARD RODGERS on Friday, December 11 at 7:30 pm.
The New York Philharmonic will present SONDHEIM: The Birthday Concert on March 15 and Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at 7:30 p.m. This celebration of the 80th birthday of the great Broadway and film composer/lyricist will include his most enduring orchestral music and songs - performed, in some cases, by the stars of the original Broadway cast productions - in addition to rarely-heard material. Joining the celebration will be (in alphabetical order) Michael Cerveris, Victoria Clark, Jason Danieley, Nathan Gunn, George Hearn, Patti LuPone, Marin Mazzie, Audra McDonald, Donna Murphy, Mandy Patinkin, Bernadette Peters, and others to be announced, including surprise guests. Paul Gemignani, Mr. Sondheim's longtime collaborator, will conduct the New York Philharmonic; Lonny Price is the director; and Mr. Price and Matt Cowart are the producers.
The Carrollwood Cultural Center Presents JAZZ WITH JIM: THE MUSIC OF RICHARD RODGERS on Friday, December 11 at 7:30 pm.
In case this is your first time reading one of my reviews of a Broadway revival of a classic musical, allow me introduce you to my personal prejudice. I completely abhor the now very common practice of revising the book and messing with the score of any musical theatre piece after the authors are deceased. If a composer, bookwriter or lyricist is around to approve of changes, that's swell, but all too often their estates will allow anything from the sparse, but significant, tweaks to South Pacific to the wholesale revisions of The Pajama Game and The Music Man. Even more deplorable is the practice of letting these changes go uncredited, as was done in the three examples just cited, giving audiences no clue that what they are watching is not wholly the musical the original authors wrote.
Actor Lou Jacobi, who enjoyed a 40+ year career on stage and screen, has passed away at the age of 95 years old on October 23, 2009 in Manhattan.
The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization is thrilled to announce that the first complete recording of Rodgers & Hammerstein's ALLEGRO will be released by Sony Masterworks Broadway on February 3, 2009. The CD is produced by David Lai, Bruce Pomahac and Ted Chapin.
Today's Broadway Blogs on BroadwayWorld.com from Friday, December 19, 2008.
The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization is thrilled to announce that the first complete recording of Rodgers & Hammerstein's ALLEGRO will be released by Sony Masterworks Broadway on February 3, 2009. The CD is produced by David Lai, Bruce Pomahac and Ted Chapin.
Roundabout Theatre Company is proud to present a new Broadway production of Pal Joey, with music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart. Pal Joey will feature a new book by Tony Award winner Richard Greenberg, based on the original book by John O'Hara, with music direction by Tony Award winner Paul Gemignani, choreography by Graciela Daniele and directed by two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello at Studio 54 on Broadway.
A new London-based recording company, Stage Door Records, celebrates its new label by launching four new remastered vintage albums: Wish You Were Here original Broadway cast recording, Pal Joey & On Your Toes original cast recordings (double-set), New Faces Of 1956 and Mrs. Patterson (two Broadway shows produced by Leonard Sillman in the 1950s), and Shirley Bassey - The Early Years.
Michael Riedel reports in today's New York Post, that rumors regarding Hugh Jackman's return to Broadway in 'Stop the World, I Want to Get Off' is false, and that Jackman instead is 'dead set' on Pal Joey.
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