Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been gouging out on “Carry On” movies, many featuring the English song and dance man Jim Dale in his callow youth hamming it up with Sid James.
This was chapter one of the Jim Dale story, chapter one found him a pre Beatles UK pop star and part three a West End and later Broadway Musical Theater star. Part four had him the voice for the harry Potter novels audio books.
On Broadway in the late 1980s, Jim starred in Scapino , Joe Egg, and mostly Me And My Gir. Dale, who was bor in 1936 is an old time British Dance Hall guy, he is in the tradition of Charlie Chaplin, Bob Hope, those guys, and he has spent his career just about excelling in everything.
In mid-March Jim will be performing a one man show at the Roundabout theater and I absolutely recommend it; I have nothing but admiration for this man’s smile and smirk, for his easy going very English middle class charmingness and, well read the press release for yourself:
“ Tony Award® winner, two-time Grammy Award® winner and two-time Academy Award® nominee Jim Dale (Roundabout’s The Road to Mecca,The Threepenny Opera) returns to the Roundabout stage to star in his brand new solo show! Directed by Tony winner Richard Maltby, Jr. (Fosse, Ain’t Misbehavin’), Just Jim Dale is a hilarious and heartwarming tour-de-force performance from one of the most masterful entertainers of his generation.
Join Mr. Dale as he recounts a lifetime of irresistible showbiz tales—from a childhood performing on the British Music Hall stage, through his Broadway triumphs in Scapino, Barnum and Me and My Girl, to his uproarious experiences narrating all seven “Harry Potter” audiobooks. Candid and intimate, Just Jim Dale is an unforgettable collection of personal anecdotes and beloved songs, including “The Colors of My Life,” “The Lambeth Walk” and “Georgy Girl.” Join us this spring for an evening with the incomparable Jim Dale as he shares his passion for the stage, for storytelling and for making people laugh!
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Tuesday–Saturday evenings at 7:30pm; Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00pm
Previews Begin May 15, 2014
Opening Night June 12, 2014”
Just Jim Dale is the name, be there because it should be wonderful.