Arena Stage has found principal casting for their upcoming Chez Joey, a reimagining of Rodgers and Hart classic Pal Joey set to take the D.C.-area company's Kreeger Theater at the Mead Center for American Theater January 30-March 15, 2026. Opening night will be February 13.

Joining previously announced MJ The Musical Tony winner Myles Frost in the title role will be Awa Sal Secka (Goddess) as Linda English, Samantha Massell (Fiddler on the Roof) as Vera Simpson, Angela Hall (Black and Blue) as Lucille Wallace, and Kevin Cahoon (Shucked) as Melvin Snyder. Further casting is to be announced.

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.

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.

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.

Visit ArenaStage.org.