Archive for November, 2008
Stockard Channing Billed A “Comeback Queen” in Daily News
This Daily News article caught my eye, and not only for the obvious reason that it’s about Stockard Channing. Tina Turner, Liza Minelli and Stockard Channing are, you have to admit, pretty amazing (over-60) women who aren’t intimidated by a show biz world full of young hotties. They just keep on doing their thing, and doing it as well as ever. I do, however, have a problem seeing them labeled as “comeback” queens, as that implies they were once “gone”.
Here is an excerpt from the Daily News article titled:
Comeback queens Tina Turner, Liza Minelli and Stockard Channing to play NYC shows
BY Patrick Huguenin
DAILY NEWS Staff Writer
Tina Turner, Stockard Channing and Liza Minnelli - each in her 60s - will play concerts in New York City this holiday season.
…On Broadway, Channing gets in cougar character for “Pal Joey,” a revival of the Rodgers and Hart musical, now in previews, that opens Dec. 11. She plays money honey Vera Simpson, a rich older woman courted by the title character (Matthew Risch) with the hope that she’ll finance his nightclub.
The actress famous for belting as Rizzo in the movie version of “Grease” hasn’t tuned her pipes on Broadway since 1984, when she took over for Minnelli in “The Rink.” But, she says, the sexy role caught her eye.
“She’s a complicated woman,” she’s said of Vera, “probably a little ahead of her time. Very composed on one level, but clearly deeply passionate on another. And that passion is awakened by Joey.”
To read the entire article, click here.
Jenny Fellner On Playbill Radio
From Playbill.com, Nov 27
In addition to round-the-clock show tunes and Broadway news at the top of each hour, Playbill Radio offers the following special programming. The schedule for the week of Dec. 2-9 follows:
Center Stage
Dec. 2: Special guest is Jenny Fellner, a real-life native of Deadwood, SD, who is playing her first Broadway lead in the new revival of Pal Joey alongside some high-power lady stars, including Stockard Channing and Martha Plimpton. She tells how she’s holding her own — and fulfilling her grandfather’s prophecy — in the Rodgers and Hart classic.
Christian Hoff bows out of ‘Pal Joey’ with injury: STAGE WHISPERS
by Lisa Ann Williamson/ Staten Island AWE
Tuesday November 25, 2008, 3:20 PM
Sometimes the show just can’t go on.
Case in point, the Saturday matinee of “Pal Joey” when one Dongan Hills family loaded up the car and hightailed it into Manhattan to see the Roundabout Theatre’s revival of “Pal Joey” during it’s preview run.
Christian Hoff had to withdraw from his role as Joey Evans in Roundabout Theatre Company’s revival of ‘Pal Joey’ after a foot injury.
While having soup at a deli near the theater, they overhear on a cell phone conversation that the matinee performance at Studio 54 is cancelled.
Matthew Risch steps into the title role of ‘Pal Joey’ in Roundabout Theatre’s revival opening Dec. 18.
Yes, cancelled. No lights. Nothing bewitching.
According to first rumors, Christian Hoff, playing the title role, was injured. Those reports proved to be true as he was sidelined by a foot injury. Broadway.com’s story Monday reported that the understudy, Matthew Risch (most recently seen in the ensemble of “Legally Blonde”) went on Saturday night and the Sunday matinee and will now step permanently into the role as Hoff officially withdrew. The heavily hoofy role requires healthy limbs.
Now to prepare Risch for his new responsibility, producers are delaying the official open one week to Dec. 18 rather than the previously announced Dec. 11.
Stockard Channing heads the cast of the Lorenz Hart and Richard Rodgers musical as socialite Vera Simpson who is smitten by Joey Evans, a dancer and emcee who has his sights set on opening a club of his own. He must now get someone to front the money and that will be Vera, who also knows Joey is a heel.
“Pal Joey” preview buzz had Hoff solidly in Tony contention for this role.
We wish him a speedy recovery and look ahead to Risch’s interpretation of Joey Evans.
Injury Forces Christian Hoff To Step Down As Joey
Christian Hoff has left Pal Joey because of a foot injury he sustained during last Friday night’s performance. Understudy Matthew Risch covered for Christian Saturday night and Sunday matinee (Saturday matinee was cancelled) while he recovered. But the production announced today that Christian had left the show permanently and that Matthew was his replacement.
This is a terrible blow to Christian’s legions of fans who will miss his stellar performance as Joey Evans.
The Pal Joey Blog wishes Matthew all the best.
Tickets Still Available For Bachmann-Strauss Pal Joey Event
The Bachmann-Strauss Dystonia & Parkinsons Foundation will hold it’s Annual Theater Benefit on Wednesday, December 3, 2008. This year’s presentation will be the revival of Rodgers & Hart’s “Pal Joey”, starring Christian Hoff, Tony Award winner for Broadway’s “Jersey Boys” and their National Spokesperson.
If you would like to purchase tickets, please contact Beth Pfeil
at (212) 682-9900 or bpfeil at bsdpf.org.
UPDATE (Nov. 25): There will be no cocktail reception following the performance.
Hoff Advised To Rest Foot Through Weekend
Christian Hoff apparently sustained a minor foot injury during Friday night’s show, and has been advised by his doctor to rest through the weekend. The Saturday matinee was cancelled, and according to Playbill.com, understudy Matthew Risch was prepped to go on Saturday night and Sunday. I’m sure that Christian, being the true professional that he is, will follow doctors orders and hopefully return on Tuesday.
Here’s wishing Christian a speedy recovery!
The NY Times Shows Christian Some Love!
The Tony winner Christian Hoff in front of Studio 54, where he plays the title character in the Roundabout revival of “Pal Joey.”
The following article appeared in the NY Times, and is just too good to summarize. I’d hate to leave anything out!
A Jersey Boy’s Moment as Broadway’s New Pal
By PATRICK HEALY
Published: November 20, 2008
It’s not every day that an actor is tapped to play a role immortalized by Gene Kelly onstage and Frank Sinatra on screen. It is not every day, either, that producers choose to revisit that role, Joey Evans in “Pal Joey,” given that it has a title character who uses and exploits women and has a legendarily uneven book that goes with the famous Rodgers and Hart score.
Christian Hoff on Broadway: with Lisa Gajda
So the weight of history and high expectations now sits on the shoulders of one Christian Hoff. He is not a household name; he is not a bankable star. What he is — besides the lead in Roundabout Theater Company’s revival of “Pal Joey,” now in previews at Studio 54 — is a Broadway classic himself: a determined, confident actor who found midcareer fame (and a featured-performance Tony) as Tommy DeVito in “Jersey Boys” and has his first shot at a major leading role.
For Mr. Hoff the role is one he said he was born to play after years as guys “you would not want your daughter to date.”
Christian Hoff To Perform in Bacharach To The Future
According to BBB-Blogger, POZ Magazine, the premier lifestyle, treatment and advocacy magazine for people living with-and those affected by - HIV and AIDS, will present the premier performance of BACHARACH TO THE FUTURE to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The one night only event will be held on World AIDS Day, Monday, December 1 starting at 7:30 PM at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).
Performers scheduled to join Hoff (Pal Joey, Jersey Boys) include: Katie Adams (Wicked), BethAnn Bonner (One Life to Live), Kerry Butler (Hairspray, Xanadu), Liz Callaway (Miss Saigon), Gerard Canonico (Spring Awakening), Franc D’Ambrosio (Phantom of the Opera),
Share Your Pal Joey Experience
One of our blog readers made a second visit to see Pal Joey, and here are her observations:
** The choreography may have been tweeked a bit…although I cannot say all the dancing was spectacular, it was quite enjoyable - especially dancing on the stairs. (Although I feel Christian Hoff was better on the stairs!)
** Costume glitches were all taken care of.
** The major improvement I was keenly seeking was the chemistry between ‘Vera’ and ‘Joey’…I felt that Stockard Channing did not feel comfortable with Christian…if Vera is supposed to be infatuated with this young song and dance man, I want to see that exhibited throughout the show…now seeing Matthew Risch & Stockard was a completely different FEEL..Stockard seemed to sincerely enjoy touching, embracing and kissing ‘Joey’…my personal thought was that Stockard feels much more in control with a very young protege, sort of a boy-toy!
** Matt’s dancing in the beginning was right on, but he does sweat profusely. The singing was much the same for ‘Vera’ and ‘Joey’.
** Martha Plimpton’s performance throughout the show is still very enticing…and Jenny Fellner still mezmerizing. They are both key characters to the success of this run of Pal Joey.
** Daniel Marcus’s (Ludlow) solo in the second act was a shining star.
** Matthew has clearly captured the “JERK” attitude that ‘Joey” is supposed to exhibit.
** I must say that the whole cast was more than gracious to pose for photos and sign autographs after the show.
The Pal Joey Blog invites you to share your Pal Joey experience! Leave a comment and let us know how you enjoyed the show. If you have pictures you want to share, send them to admin at paljoeyblog.com, and include captions if you like.
A big thank you to Charly O’Clarit. She combined her pictures with those of Lucy Rochetti and Lori Leone to create this great slide show. Thank you, ladies!
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Fan Shawna Blake with Stockard Channing
Shawna, a self-proclaimed Stockard enthusiast, shared this photo from her fabulous evening at Pal Joey. See comments below to read about Shawna’s experience.
First Impressions of “Pal Joey”, November 14, 2008 Preview
Pal Joey at Studio 54
The Production
This production of Pal Joey, featuring a new book by Richard Greenberg, musical direction by Paul Gemignani, choreography by Graciela Daniele, and direction by Joe Mantello, brought to light new undertones not seen in the original productions, which certainly enhanced this show.
The plot focuses upon depression-era nightclub emcee Joey Evans (Christian Hoff) being torn between his innocent, naive girlfriend Linda English (Jenny Fellner) and wealthy but married socialite Vera Simpson (Stockard Channing). Joey romances Vera, who sets him up in his own club, Chez Joey. Along the way, Joey runs into an old acquaintance, Gladys Bumps (Martha Plimpton), with whom he has a very unpleasant history.
While there is a similarity to the Frank Sinatra movie in Joey’s and Vera’s characters, Jenny Fellner’s Linda English (a haberdashery clerk) is less worldly than the curvy and sensual Kim Novak (who was a showgirl type), and the Gladys Bumps character adds some new intrigue to the entire plot. Gladys and Joey’s history comes to light in the first act, and as Joey tries to show his power in the second act, we see that Gladys isn’t one to roll over and play dead. The ending was not the “and then they lived happily-ever-after” typical Broadway/Hollywood one, and that was a refreshing change.
Pal Joey Blog’s Exclusive Interview With Christian Hoff
These last few days before previews begin, the cast of Pal Joey is working long hard hours to prepare for the 14th (just two days away!!!). Even so, Christian Hoff was gracious enough to take a few minutes to chat about the show:
PJblog: How has the transition been from Jersey Boys to Pal Joey? Has your experience portraying Tommy DeVito been helpful in making that transition?
CH: The transition has been seamless. My overlapping of these two productions has allowed me to transfer my artistic adrenaline into another character. Yes, my portrayal of a real life “bad boy” has helped me with a more human perspective with regard to the bad boy icon Joey Evans.
PJblog: You worked closely with three men in Jersey Boys, and now your character is involved with three women. Are you the luckiest guy alive, or ????
CH: Let’s just say that it’s a bit more complicated juggling three love interests versus brothers.
PJblog: And what a wonderful cast in Pal Joey. Can you tell us a little bit about the people you’re working with?
CH: Stockard Channing is both a seasoned veteran of film and stage and a humble working actor who embraces the process. Martha Plimpton has brought a real sense of fun and professionalism. She has raised the stakes for me as both an actor and my character. Jenny Fellner has brought a great combination of innocence and strength to Linda and has given me a whole different emotional palette to work from.
PJblog: So many of the people who are familiar with Pal Joey have the movie in mind, and some even compare you to Frank Sinatra. But the original Broadway show was much different. Can you share any details about what we might expect from this revival? Does it basically stay true to the original show?
A Bit Of Rodgers And Hart History
I so enjoyed delving into the “Origin Of Pal Joey”, that I thought I’d continue in that vein with a brief history of Rodgers and Hart, without whom Pal Joey would be….well…just a play!
According to the Roundabout Theatre Company’s website, RICHARD RODGERS (Music; 1902-1979) and LORENZ HART (Lyrics; 1895-1943) wrote their first shows together when both were still students attending Columbia University. Their breakthrough came with the score for a 1925 charity show, the Garrick Gaities, which introduced the classic valentine to their hometown, “Manhattan.” Over the next five years they wrote fifteen musical comedies for Broadway and London’s West End before relocating to Hollywood in 1930, where they contributed songs and wrote the scores for several movie musicals, most notably Love Me Tonight starring Maurice Chevalier. In 1935 they returned to New York to write the score for Billy Rose’s circus musical Jumbo, launching a golden era which included On Your Toes, Babes In Arms, I’d Rather Be Right, I Married An Angel, The Boys From Syracuse, Too Many Girls, Higher And Higher, Pal Joey and By Jupiter, which collectively offered such classic songs as “There’s a Small Hotel,” “I Wish I Were In Love Again,” “My Funny Valentine,” “Where Or When,” “The Lady is a Tramp,” “Spring Is Here,” “Falling In Love With Love,” “Sing For Your Supper,” “This Can’t Be Love,” “I Didn’t Know What Time It Was,” “It Never Entered My Mind,” “Bewitched,” “I Could Write a Book,” “Nobody’s Heart,” and “Wait Til You See Her.”
The Origin of Pal Joey
Dell Publishing’s book compilation of the New Yorker stories included this Victor Kalin cover.
There were a total of 12 Pal Joey short stories. The series ended with the July 13, 1940 issue of the New Yorker — the Broadway production opened five months later with a book by O’Hara. John O’Hara, author of the Pal Joey short stories and the book of the original musical Dear Pal Ted:
Interestingly, the plot of the musical Pal Joey is never captured in the short stories, although the next-to-last installment, “Joey and Mavis,” concerns a wealthy older widow (Mavis instead of Vera in the show) who begins seeing Joey and lines up a nightclub engagement for him.
Here are some excerpts from the first Pal Joey story as it appeared in the New Yorker, complete with the intentional misspellings and grammatical errors O’Hara included to flesh out his Joey character:
Well at last I am getting around to knocking off a line or two to let you know how much I apprisiate it you sending me that wire on opening nite. Dont think because I didnt answer before I didnt apprisiate it because that is far from the case.