Pal Joey

Pal Joey

Pal Joey

Music by Richard Rodgers
Lyrics by Lorenz Hart
Book by John O'Hara

Pal Joey

Pal Joey

Music by Richard Rodgers
Lyrics by Lorenz Hart
Book by John O'Hara

Overview

The penultimate Rodgers & Hart collaboration introduced the first anti-hero to propel a musical. Joey is an opportunistic cad, but he always seems to land on his feet. He elbows his way into a job at a seedy Chicago nightclub and is soon juggling the affections of a naive chorus girl and a wealthy society dame who just happens to be married. Once Joey has charmed the socialite into setting him up in his own joint, he ditches the chorine and is riding high, playing the big-time operator. When a punk threatens to spill the whole business to the socialite's husband, she decides that she's bored with Joey anyway, dumping him and the club. Having had a taste of his own medicine, you'd think Joey would head back to the sweet kid who really loves him. Wrong. Some things never change, but you know what? He's still on his feet.

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Cautions

  • Caution Alcohol Alcohol
  • Caution Mild Adult Mild Adult Themes

Details

  • Genre: Adaptation (Literature), Period, Romantic Comedy
  • Time Period: 1940s/WWII
  • Cast Attributes: Strong Role for Leading Man (Star Vehicle), Strong Role for Leading Woman (Star Vehicle)
  • Target Audience: Adult, Senior, Pre-Teen (Age 11-13), Teen (Age 14-18)

Authors

Richard Rodgers

Richard Rodgers' contribution to the musical theatre of his day was extraordinary, and his influence on the musical theatre of today and tomorrow is legendary. His career spanned more than six decades, his hits ranging from the silver screens of Hollywood to the bright light ...

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Lorenz Hart

Lorenz Hart was born in New York City on May 2, 1895, the oldest of two sons of Frieda and Max Hart. Hart graduated from Columbia Grammar School and attended the Columbia School of Journalism. In the late teens a mutual friend introduced Hart to composer Richard Rodgers. Rodg ...

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John O'Hara

John O'Hara, American novelist and short story writer (1905-1970), was born into an Irish Catholic family in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. He began to write fiction in 1927; his first novel, Appointment in Samarra (1934), won popular acclaim and established O'Hara as a craftsman ...

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