Just Jim Dale

Off Broadway-at Roundabout-Laura Pels Theatre

100 Minutes with no intermission ​If you are anything like me, you might be thinking that this is just another show about some fictitious person loosely based on a real person, and you would be wrong, as I was. I suppose that I should be embarrassed not knowing who Jim Dale is, but I never claimed to be an expert on everything in the entertainment world.  And when he was doing Barnum in 1980, I was busy with other important things. Not only is Jim Dale a real live person, but also the real Jim Dale is playing himself in this one-man show. This was a hidden gem of a song and dance review for me.  Very entertaining, witty, light hearted, touching and impeccably directed by Richard Maltby, Jr.  So without further ado, I’ll tell you about Jim Dale.  Born in 1935 in Rothwell, England.  He started in the business at a very young age as a singer, dancer, and comedian. In addition to British Movie fame, he had a short stint as a British Pop Artist, and was the first to record for Sir George Martin, who later would record THE BEATLES. He later played the role of PT Barnum in the 1980 Broadway Musical of the same name and has a multitude of other stage, film and television credits. ​ The show has many memorable numbers. One of which is a wonderful take on Shakespeare quotations where Jim rattles off about 30 or more phrases in a very quick musical ditty that is extraordinary, and very humorous. They know these are Shakespearian because they cannot find them anywhere in print prior to Shakespeare writing them. An interesting point on how history figures out history.  You’ll be surprised to know how many expressions we use in our every day life, that were actually first written by Shakespeare. I almost forgot, Jim also narrated the Harry “f*&%ing” (as he affectionately calls him) Potter audio book collection, AND here is my favorite thing about Jim Dale.   He wrote Georgy Girl!  Yes, written for the movie, and another very funny story, but I’ll make you go see it yourself for that one.  That’s right.  Get off the Internet right now and go see it—There is still time before it closes on August 10th.  -ThisbroadSway