Pal Joey
Closing: November 05, 2023Pal Joey - 2023 Off-Broadway History , Info & More
New York City Center
131 West 55th St. (between 6th and 7th Avenues) New York, NY 10019
Nightclub singer Joey Evans has seen quite a few revisions to his character since John O’Hara first penned his short stories for The New Yorker in the late 1930s. But in Richard LaGravenese and Daniel “Koa” Beaty’s brand-new adaptation, the character of Joey undergoes a complete transformation. Played by Tony-nominated actor Ephraim Sykes (Ain’t Too Proud), Joey is a Black jazz singer refusing to compromise on his craft and struggling to make it big his way, with his sound.
Directed by tap icon Savion Glover and Tony Goldwyn, with bold dance stagings by Glover that capture the real beat of Chicago jazz, this Rodgers and Hart classic features songs like “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered” and newly incorporated gems like “The Lady is a Tramp” that shine with sexy wit and powerful new subtext. Revered, revised, and now re-envisioned for a new era, Pal Joey proves it has more to tell us about love, lust, and the music behind it all.
Pal Joey - 2023 - Off-Broadway Cast
FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Pal Joey
‘Pal Joey’ Off Broadway Review: Bewitched, Bothered and Completely Misbegotten
4 / 10
Sykes, to his credit, doesn’t ask for our sympathy the way his dialogue begs for it. In a normal “Pal Joey,” he would be a great Joey. He exudes confidence without ever pushing it, and especially affecting is the understated way he unveils a song like “I Could Write a Book.” He leaves the over-emotive deliveries to his two leading ladies. Tony Goldwyn and Savion Glover direct, and Glover also choreographs. Tap-dancing spirits (called “griots” in the credits) follow Sykes around the stage. They don’t provide segues between scenes so much as they remind us that several elements of this production, including these dancers, have absolutely nothing to do with what Rodgers and Hart — not to mention O’Hara — wrote.
‘Pal Joey’ Review: Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildering
5 / 10
You can certainly count on coherence from the songs themselves, no matter how randomly they sometimes seem to have been placed in one Rodgers and Hart show instead of another. Even completely shorn of plot relevance, they are evergreen for a reason. Though this “Pal Joey” rightfully questions the appropriation of Black voices in American popular song — referring to the King of Jazz, Paul Whiteman, and the King of Swing, Benny Goodman, Joey says, “Awful lot of Kings out there playing our music” — it’s strange to build that argument on the back of these standards. If they’re the problem, why celebrate them, and make them sound so good in the process?
by Nicole Rosky - November 2, 2023
NEW YORK CITY CENTER is presenting Pal Joey! which just opened with a benefit performance and runs through November 5. Let's see what the critics had to say...
by Jennifer Broski - November 2, 2023
New York City Center's Pal Joey opened with a benefit performance last night, November 1, and BroadwayWorld was there! Check out photos here!
by A.A. Cristi - November 1, 2023
NEW YORK CITY CENTER is presenting Pal Joey! The production opens with a benefit performance on November 1 (through 5), celebrating 80 years at the center or the arts, followed by a gala dinner at the Ziegfeld Ballroom. See video from the show!
by Nicole Rosky - November 1, 2023
Check out photos of Loretta Devine and the cast of Encores! Pal Joey at New York City Center. Get a sneak peek at the talented performers bringing this classic show to life.
by Nicole Rosky - October 19, 2023
In this video, watch as we meet with the cast of New York City Center's Gala presentation of Pal Joey!
by Jonah Hale - October 18, 2023
The company of New York City Center's Gala presentation of Pal Joey just met the press and we have photos from big day.
by Nicole Rosky - October 11, 2023
Coming up next month at NEW YORK CITY CENTER is the Annual Gala Presentation Pal Joey. Check out videos of Ephraim Sykes and Aisha Jackson performing three songs from the show!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - September 14, 2023
NEW YORK CITY CENTER has unveiled the complete cast for the Annual Gala Presentation Pal Joey. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets!
Pal Joey FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I Could Write a Book
Chicago
That Terrific Rainbow
Love Is My Friend
Happy Hunting Horn
Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered
Pal Joey
Joey Looks into the Future Ballet
The Flower Garden of My Heart
Zip
Plant You Now, Dig You Later
Den of Iniquity
Do It the Hard Way
Take Him
I'm Talking to My Pal
What Is a Man?
I Didn't Know What Time It Was
There's a Small Hotel
My Funny Valentine
The Lady Is a Tramp
Overture
A Dance Rehearsal
Pal Joey History
Other Productions of Pal Joey
| 1940 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
| 1952 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Broadway |
| 1954 | West End |
London Production West End |
| 1959 | Milburn, NJ (Regional) |
Paper Mill Production Milburn, NJ (Regional) |
| 1961 | Off-Broadway |
City Center Revival Off-Broadway |
| 1963 | Broadway |
City Center Revival Broadway |
| 1976 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Broadway |
| 1980 | Regional (US) |
Regional Revival Regional (US) |
| 1980 | London Fringe |
London Revival London Fringe |
| 1995 | Off-Broadway |
Encores! Concert Off-Broadway |
| 2002 | Regional (US) |
Regional Revival Regional (US) |
| 2008 | Broadway |
Roundabout Revival Broadway |
| 2023 | Off-Broadway |
Encores! Concert Revival Production Off-Broadway |
| 2023 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Broadway |
Videos