I think you've misread me (and/or presume I'm a complete idiot, which, ouch). These are clearly significant changes, a deep re-thinking of the story, but it's still - from what's been shared - following the same basic dramatic situation and relationships. That's why I said it's not Pal Joey 1940, it's Pal Joey 2023. New version of the story, a lot of the same songs, same title but not the same show. It is not The Pal Joey, it is A Pal Joey, because now we have more than one. (This was all sparked by your question of why to keep the same title for a different show.)
From where I'm sitting, this is a Pal Joey I would actually go see, because maybe they've found a way to find dramatic depths and intrigue from a show that is otherwise about a DB player. Certainly flipping the power dynamic alone is exciting, and it's wonderful to see older shows being framed in ways that acknowledge the existence of Black artists in the early 20th Century.
What will be curious to see, if this transfers, is whether they petition to be regarded as a new show or a revival. It seems like it's a new show, but the producers may mistakenly believe they can draw on the crowd that knows the original well if they hide that fact, which of course won't work. |
