A Reimagining of Rodgers and Hart's PAL JOEY

Chez Joey

  • Credits

    Music by Richard Rodgers
    Lyrics by Lorenz Hart
    New Book by Richard Lagravenese
    Inspired by John O'Hara's novel, based on the 'Pal Joey' stories published in The New Yorker
    Choreography and Orchestrology by Savion Glover
    Co-Directed by Tony Goldwyn and Savion Glover

  • Location

    Kreeger Theater

  • Running Time

    Approx. 2 hours 30 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission

  • Advisories

    Contains theatrical haze

The stakes are high, the jazz is hot, and the game of romance and ambition never sounded so good.

The year is 1940-something, and Chicago’s night scene is sizzling. Enter Joey Evans. A slick-talking, velvet-voiced songster with dreams bigger than the bandstand. But in a city where the right connections mean everything, he is caught between a bright-eyed chorus girl and a wealthy baroness who can bankroll his big break—for a price. As the lights dim and the music swells, Joey’s got a choice to make: play it straight or risk it all for the spotlight. This classic Rodgers and Hart score, including “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered,” “What Is a Man?,” and “I Could Write a Book,” now includes  “This Can’t Be Love” and “The Lady Is a Tramp,” among others. Co-directed by Tony Award-winning choreographer Savion Glover and actor, director, and producer Tony Goldwyn, the stakes are high, the music is hot, and the game of romance and ambition never sounded so good.

View the Chez Joey program here

View the Chez Joey learning guide

Support for Chez Joey is provided by David and Patricia FisherDaniel Korengold, Martha Dippell, and Ourisman Automotive of Virginia; Bonnie Feld; and Catherine and Chris Guttman-McCabe. Special thanks to Boston Consulting Group.

Arena Stage offers this production in memory of long-time usher and patron, Anne Buzalski, in grateful recognition of her very generous bequest.

Cast

MYLES FROST

Joey Evans

AWA SAL SECKA

Linda English

SAMANTHA MASSELL

Vera Simpson

ANGELA HALL

Lucille Wallace

KEVIN CAHOON

Melvin Snyder

CHARIS MICHELLE GULLAGE

Gladys

KALEN ROBINSON

Pearl

NDAYA DREAM HOSKINS

Tilda

ALANA S. THOMAS

Ruby

BROOKE TAYLOR

Betty, Assistant to the Choreographer

JOSH JOHNSON

Cat

MARCUS JOHN

Cat, u/s Joey

LAMONT BROWN

Cat

ADDI LOVING

Cat

CRYSTAL J. FREEMAN

Cat, u/s Lucille

LAFAYETTE HARRIS JR.

Lafayette

COREY RAWLS

Corey

DANIEL BEREKET

Daniel

NOLAN NWACHUKWU

Nolan

JALIN SHIVER

Jalin

ALEX DE LAZZARI

Alex

JORDYN TAYLOR

u/s Linda

KAREN VINCENT

u/s Vera

JUSTIN MICHAEL DUVAL

u/s Melvin

JAILYN WILKERSON

Swing, Dance Captain

Creative

RICHARD RODGERS AND LORENZ HART

Music and Lyrics

JOHN O'HARA

Author

RICHARD LAGRAVENESE

New Book

SAVION GLOVER

Choreographer, Orchestrologist, and Co-Director

TONY GOLDWYN

Co-Director

DEREK McLANE

Set Designer

EMILIO SOSA

Costume Designer

ADAM HONORÉ

Lighting Designer

DAN MOSES SCHREIER

Sound Designer

J. JARED JANAS

Wigs, Hair, and Makeup Designer

VICTOR GOULD

Music Supervisor, u/s Lafayette

THE TRC COMPANY

Casting

RAIYON HUNTER

Casting

MORGAN HOLBROOK

Stage Manager

KELLY MERRITT

Assistant Stage Manager

DAYNE SUNDMAN

Assistant Stage Manager

Photos

Myles Frost (Joey Evans) for Arena Stage’s “Chez Joey.” Photo by Ambe J. Williams at Blues Alley Jazz.
Awa Sal Secka (Linda English) for Arena Stage’s “Chez Joey.” Photo by Ambe J. Williams at Blues Alley Jazz.
Samantha Massell (Vera Simpson) for Arena Stage’s “Chez Joey.” Photo by Ambe J. Williams at Blues Alley Jazz.
Myles Frost (Joey Evans) and Awa Sal Secka (Linda English) for Arena Stage’s “Chez Joey.” Photo by Ambe J. Williams at Blues Alley Jazz.
Myles Frost (Joey Evans) and Samantha Massell (Vera Simpson) for Arena Stage’s “Chez Joey.” Photo by Ambe J. Williams at Blues Alley Jazz.
Awa Sal Secka (Linda English), Myles Frost (Joey Evans), and Samantha Massell (Vera Simpson) for Arena Stage’s “Chez Joey.” Photo by Ambe J. Williams at Blues Alley Jazz.

Videos

Merchandise

Exclusive Chez Joey merchandise is available for purchase at the Arena Stage Gift Shop or online here. See you at the club!

Special Performances

Southwest Night Performances: Friday, January 30 through Thursday, February 12
Early Curtain Performance: Sunday, March 1, at 6PM
Audio-Described Performance: Saturday, February 28, at 2PM
ASL-Interpreted Performance: Saturday, February 28, at 8PM
Closed Captioning: GalaPro begins Saturday, February 14

College Night: Saturday, January 31, at 8PM
Pride Night: Wednesday, February 4, at 7:30PM
Young Professionals Night: Saturday, February 7, at 8PM
HBCU Night: Wednesday, February 11, at 7:30PM

Post-Show Conversations
Connect with the show beyond the performance at a post-show conversation on February 11 following the 7:30PM performance, and on March 4 and March 12 following the 12PM matinees.

Special Events

Chez Joey Live: Wednesdays, 6:15–7:00PM
In partnership with DC Jazz Festival, we invite Wednesday evening audiences to arrive early to immerse themselves in a lively pre-show jazz performance. Starting at 6:15PM in Arena's Bank of America Lower Lobby, and featuring standout local DMV jazz combos and musicians, the series brings straight-ahead, classic jazz to life as a spirited musical welcome—setting the rhythm, mood, and energy for the night ahead. 

February 4: Tori Trinity Trio
February 11: Udobi Trio
February 18: Dan Murray Trio
February 25:  Sharon Clark Trio
March 4: Dave Manley Duo
March 11: Marshall Keys Trio

Dreamers' Workshop: Saturday, January 24, 12–2:30PM
Envision your best New Year at Arena with a family-friendly Dream Box experience! Create your own three-dimensional vision board and dream big—just like Joey. Come manifest a bright and bold 2026! 

Cupid Karaoke: Friday, February 6, 6–9PM
Join Arena at Sid Gold's Request Room for a night of duets and love songs! Grab your partner or your friends and sing your heart out. Celebrate love, music, and Chez Joey. RSVP here.

Hearts & Arts: A Valentine's Day Party for KidsSaturday, February 14, 1:30–4:30PM
No grown-ups required! Kids ages 6–12 are invited to Arena Stage for a Valentine's Day party packed with creativity, theater games, and hands-on art-making. This stand-alone celebration gives young artists a chance to imagine, create, and make new friends in a festive holiday atmosphere. Led by the Arena Stage Learning team, this drop-off program offers an afternoon built for joy, exploration, and playful collaboration. 

For more details and to register your young artist for Hearts & Arts, click here. For questions, contact education@arenastage.org.
Note: Parents/guardians with tickets to the February 14 matinee can take advantage of this programming.

Chez Joey After Hours: A ‘40s Jazz Soirée: Friday, February 20, Post-Show
Stick around after the February 20 evening performance for a 1940s night club experience in the Arena Stage Grand Lobby. Step into the world of Chez Joey with live jazz, performances, and more. We invite audiences to dress up in 40s inspired outfits! Please find outfit inspiration here.

Jazz Yoga - Rhythm and Renewal: Saturday, March 7, 12–1:30PM 
In partnership with Blind Seed, join us for this jazz yoga experience inspired by the world of Chez Joey, where breath, movement, and live jazz come together in perfect harmony. 

Community Resource Drive

Arena Stage is hosting a community resource drive during the run of Chez Joey. We are collecting essential supplies, including travel-sized hygiene products and pre-packaged, high-calorie food items (crackers, jerky, protein bars, etc.), in support of our partners at Thrive DC and Georgetown Ministry Center. We invite you to bring items with you when you attend your performance—we will be collecting donations by our Visitors Services desk—or send materials directly through the resource wish lists for Thrive DC or Georgetown Ministry Center.