About Pal Joey Broadway

By Author: Al Terry
Total Articles: 787
Comment this article

Pal Joey is a musical show based on a book written by John O'Hara. The music and lyrics are given by Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart. The original pal Joey Broadway that was performed on December 25 in 1940 was directed by George Abbott and choreographed by Robert Alton. Performed at Ethel Barrymore Theater, it ran for 374 shows. The star cast included Gene Kelly as Joey, June Havoc as Gladys, and Vivienne Segal as Vera.

The Story

Joey Evans is a small night club entertainer in the 1930s. He chooses Chicago to fulfill his dreams when the other cities boot him out. Joey is torn between his innocent girlfriend Linda English and a wealthy married business-minded Vera Simpson. Joey gets into a relationship with Vera who helps him set up a club. In the midst of this Joey bumps into an old acquaintance Gladys Bumps with whom he has had a very uncomfortable history.

Linda English is a very simple girl when compared to the sensual sexy Vera. The story between Gladys and Joey runs in the first half with the second half showing Joey as very powerful and rich. The ending of the story is not the usual lived happily ...
... ever after type.

The Cast

The original cast included Vivienne Segal, Jack Durant, Gene Kelly, June Havoc, Jean Casto, Stanley Donen, Van Johnson and Tilda Getze.

January 1952 Revival show at the Broadhurst Theatre had Vivienne Segal, Helen Gallagher, Harold Lang, Patricia Northrop, Lionel Stander, Elaine Stritch, Barbara Nichols, Helen Wood, Jack Waldron and Robert Fortier in the star cast. There were a total of 540 performances which outdid the original.

1957 screen version had stars Frank Sinatra, Kim Novak and Rita Hayworth in the lead.

May 29 1962 had a second revival for 15 performances at City Center. This short period earned Bob Fosse a Tony award nomination for the title role in pal Joey Broadway. Fosse was opposite Viveca Lindfors as Vera and Gladys was played by Elaine Dunn.

1976 revival show had Christopher Chadman and Joan Copeland in the lead. This came up at the tiny Circle in the Square Theater for just 73 performances.

Awards And Recognition

1952 revival: This show won the Tony award for the best featured actress in the musical (Helen Gallagher), conductor and musical director (Max Meth) and best choreography award (Robert Alton)
1963 revival: Nominee in Tony award for best actor in the musical (Bob Fosse
1977 revival: Nominated for drama desk award for outstanding actress in a musical to Joan Copeland

Song List for Pal Joey Broadway

I Could Write a Book
What Is A Man
Pal Joey
Zip
You Musn't Kick It Around
Overture
Flower Garden In My Heart
Happy Hunting Horn
Plant You Now, Dig You Later
Chicago A Great Big Town
That Terrific Rainbow
Do It The Hard Way
Take Him
Reprise- Bewitched
In Our Little Den of Inequity
Al writes many articles about concert events around the country including ways to locate