Pal Joey

Pal Joey is a musical comedy with book by John O'Hara, lyrics by Lorenz Hart and music by Richard Rodgers.

Opened on Broadway in 1940, directed by George Abbott, with an initial cast including Gene Kelly, Vivienne Segal, Van Johnson, and June Havoc.

The play was a greater success when revived in 1952: it has also had revivals in 1963 and 1976.

The plot revolves around a Chicago nightclub emcee in the 1930s, named Joey Evans, (a departure from the usual musical comedy fare because he is an unsympathetic character, an anti-hero). He casts off his girlfriend Linda, romances an older wealthy woman, Vera Simpson, gets her to set him up in business with his own nightclub. Vera thus becomes vulnerable to a blackmail attempt which is thwarted by Linda. Vera winds up throwing Joey out.

A film version starring Frank Sinatra was released in 1957.

Songs included:

• "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered"
• "(If They Asked Me,) I Could Write a Book"