Arena Stage's Upcoming Reimagining of Pal Joey Will Change Its Title to Chez Joey

The previously announced Arena Stage run of Richard LaGravenese's revised version of Rodgers and Hart's Pal Joey is changing the classic musical's name to Chez Joey. Originally inspired by John O'Hara's "Pal Joey" stories written for The New Yorker, the musical will play the D.C.-area's Kreeger Theater at the Mead Center for American Theater January 30-March 15, 2026. Opening night will be February 13.

Featuring a complete book revision by Oscar-nominated screenwriter LaGravenese (The Fisher King) and a selection of new arrangements from the catalog of Rodgers and Hart, the production will be co-directed by Tony winner Savion Glover (Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk; Black and Blue; Shuffle Along…) and actor, director, and producer Tony Goldwyn (Scandal, Ghost, Law & Order).

Set on the South Side of 1940s Chicago, the musical follows Joey Evans, a silver-tongued nightclub performer who finds himself caught between a bright-eyed chorus girl and the wealthy widow who can bankroll his big break—for a price.

“We were deeply inspired by John O’Hara’s original ‘Pal Joey’ stories, first published in the 1930s, which became the basis for our Chez Joey,” said Goldwyn in a statement. “Richard LaGravenese has given us a new take on Joey Evans’s story—the ambition, the romance of an uncompromising artist—with stunning choreography from my co-director, the incomparable Savion Glover, who has also created groundbreaking arrangements of our timeless Rodgers and Hart score. We are so thrilled to introduce Arena audiences to Chez Joey this January.”

“To build Chez Joey with this phenomenal creative team is to create a work that pulses with energy, innovation, and the heartbeat of possibility,” added Arena Stage Artistic Director Hana S. Sharif. “Together, we’re breathing new life into a classic, layering in the vibrancy of jazz to create a production that feels both timeless and electric.”

This revised version of the 1940 musical, which reimagines the title character as a Black jazz singer trying to make it on the Chicago nightclub circuit, premiered at New York City Center Encores! in 2023. Goldwyn and Glover co-directed the earlier staging as well, although the title change is new for Arena. Leading the 2023 City Center cast were Ephraim Sykes as Joey Evans, Loretta Devine as Lucille Wallace, Elizabeth Stanley as Vera Simpson, Brooks Ashmanskas as Melvin Snyder, Jeb Brown as Tony, and Aisha Jackson as Linda English.

In addition to Pal Joey favorites “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered,” “What Is a Man?,” and “I Could Write a Book,” Chez Joey expands the score to include tunes from the 1957 film adaptation, including “I Didn’t Know What Time It Was” and “The Lady Is a Tramp.” Rodgers and Hart fans can also expect classics like “This Can’t Be Love,” “I Wish I Were in Love Again,” and “Blue Moon,” among others.

Casting and the full creative team will be announced at a later date.

Visit ArenaStage.org.

Look back at the City Center production in the gallery below.