Comments on: Pal Joey

By: Steven McKnight

Steven McKnight — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 22:50:19 +0000

I caught “Pal Joey” last week and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a quality production in every respect. Although I have heard “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered” dozens of times, I never fully appreciated it until I heard Stockard Channing sing it in context. She was wonderful, and the song was the highlight of the show. My only minor quibble is that I thought Matthew Risch was a tad hammy at times. He’s a fine performer with a charismatic stage presence and good skills, but I wish that he had been pulled back just a little. Overall, though, I recommend the show if you are fortunate enough to still be able to get tickets.

By: cheryl

cheryl — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:55:28 +0000

I caught this show in November when Christian Hoff was still playing the part of Joey. Although I enjoyed Hoff’s performance in Jersey Boys he just didn’t seem to command the stage in Pal Joey. It immediately seemed obvious to me that the show was going to be in trouble if he continued to be in it. Consequently I wasn’t surprised to hear that he was replaced. On the other hand I was totally delighted with Stockard Channings performance. I found her to be perfectly suited to the part. Martha Plimpton also gave a wonderful performance. The last time I saw Plimpton perform was in Coast of Utopia…so this was quite a different role for her. Strangely enough although years ago I saw the movie version of Pal Joey this was the first time I’ve ever seen it performed on stage.

By: Dinah Reitman

Dinah Reitman — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:59:45 +0000

In reply to Mr. Seff’s comment, let me just say that, although I am an avid theatergoer, I, like most people of my generation, was only privy to the film version of “Pal Joey,” before seeing, what I thought, would not have been a total re-write from the screenplay. I never got the feeling that Frank Sinatra was older than Rita Hayworth, however, that did not preclude them from leaving out 3 of the most well-known songs of the Rodgers & Hart score. Were they not in the original Broadway production? In the film, “My Funny Valentine” was Linda’s big song. They could have easily fit that number into their “new score,” by giving Linda a song with which the audience was familiar. The other two songs from the film, that were omitted, “The Lady Is a Tramp,” and “There’s a Small Hotel,” could have easily been part of the hodgepodge of songs that Joey sings. While I eagerly await the revivals of “Guys & Dolls,” and “West Side Story,” how would the audience feel if they totally re-wrote those books and left out some of the great songs of their respective scores. People go to see revivals of classic musicals, because they remember the originals and want to see something that resembles the original productions.

By: Richard Seff

Richard Seff — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:00:00 +0000

With all due respect for Ms.Reitman’s reply to my notice of “Pal Joey”, I have to point out that the Roundabout was not “totally remaking” the film of “Pal Joey”, which was a hodgepodge, having little to do with the Broadway show. In the movie, Sinatra was probably older than Rita Hayworth who played his older mistress! And just where does Ms.Reitman think “My Funny Valentine” or “There’s A Small Hotel” might fit into this story of a lowlife hoofer and his hard as nails dominating older lover? Again, with respect,I think Ms. Reitman is a movie fan, not a theatre nut. Richard Seff .

By: Dinah Reitman

Dinah Reitman — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:36:33 +0000

After re-visiting the film, with Frank Sinatra, Rita Hayworth, and Stockard Channing, I must respectfully disagree with all these positive reviews of this production of Pal Joey, which left me cold. Although the performances by Matthew Risch (who?)and Stockard Channing, a fine actress, but not a singer by trade, as well as Martha Plimpton, also not a singer, were OK, this is a classic musical, which should have had known musical comedy leading actors in the main roles, especially in the role of Joey. Were Craig Bierko, Harry Conick, Jr,, or Raul Esparza available? They would have all been better in the starring role, and would have more box office appeal.

In addition, why did they include all these new songs, which, I understand, were rejects from the original production, none of which were very memorable, in my view. Instead, they chose to scrap such well-known standards as “My Funny Valentine,” “The Lady Is a Tramp,” and “There’s a Small Hotel”–not a great idea, if you ask me.

I think, if you have a film that works, why try to totally remake it? If I were to recommend a production of Pal Joey, I would say, go rent the DVD with Frank Sinatra, and save your money for another Broadway show.

By: TJN Buffalo, NY

TJN Buffalo, NY — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:56:56 +0000

THANK YOU RICHARD! Finally someone who agrees with me. Stockard’s delivery of her songs is haunting and heartbreaking. She is such a fine actress. I also feel Matthew is stellar. Martha is a revelation. If you havent seen it, go.