Promises, Promises
April, 5 2010
8:00pm Broadway Theater
As usual Rhett was on set somewhere and I was temping at a large financial firm, when we decided on our rally point. Therapy on
Promise, Promises is a musical set in 1962 written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David with the Book written by Neil Simon. The story is of a lowly single office worker Chuck Baxter (Sean Hayes), whose apartment is being used by upper managers for their illicit affairs, all with the promise of advancement. Chuck is in love with Fran Kubelik (Kristin Chenoweth) an employee cafeteria waitress, but has not professed his love for her. JD Sheldrake (Tony Goldwyn) company personnel manager calls Baxter to his office and asks him about his apartment, and strikes a deal to advance Chuck if he allows Sheldrake to use his apartment for his affair. Little does Baxter know that Sheldrake is having the affair with Fran as the show progresses it becomes clear that the affair between Fran and Sheldrake is not gong to be anything more than what it is and on Christmas Eve at Chuck’s apartment, after JD leaves Fran she takes some sleeping pills in a vain attempt at suicide? Chuck returns home to find Fran in his bed, he rescues her and in the process Fran starts to see the god guy that Chuck is and her heart falls for him. All is well worth the world.
Rob Ashford directed and choreographed this ambitious revival with the help of Scott Pask Scenic Design, Bruce Pask Costume Design and Donald Holder Lighting, this talented team brought a little 1962 to the Broadway Theater. Familiar tunes that were sung by the Carpenters, Dusty Springfield, and Dionne Warwick, filled the air, and for this theater hag, I was transported back to my childhood and hearing these songs playing in the background of my home. An interesting addition to this revival were the Pop Hits
I say a little prayer and A House is not a Home.
Both songs performed by Chenoweth with such sincerity and warmth. During the first Act finale number, A house is not a home. Ms. Chenoweth delivers a heart wrenching performance with lines like
“Now and then I call your name and suddenly your face appears but it’s just a crazy game. When it ends it ends in tears.” It’s with those final notes I find myself in a weeping heap in the aisle, well not really but I still could feel her pain.
The one musical number, which had been rumored to be cut from the show, its Turkey Lurkey Time was much anticipated by me and my colleague. My only experience with this number at first was the shrill and annoying 2007 version from the movie Camp. I was ale to find a performance on you tube which had the original cast performing at the 1969 Tony awards. After seeing this original version I was excited to see what Mr. Ashford would do with it. Without disappointing, Ashford drew upon the original Michael Bennett choreography and did justice to the much beloved number.
Sean Hayes and Tony Goldwyn tried to hold their own against Chenoweth in the musicality and performance that this show requires, but their singing was not stand out, but it wasn’t the train wreck that was Bye Bye Birdie. Attention also must be paid to Tony Award winner Katie Finneran who steals the beginning of the second act with a drunken slapstick scene with Hayes. In mounting a revival which is has a specific time period it can be a difficult undertaking, especially with a Jaded New York Audience, but the right combination of onstage and backstage talent, Promises, Promises felt fresh, and the themes of love, loss, and infidelity are still relevant today.
So as the show ends I am left with a few thoughts. Was this a good performance? Yes, will it have the staying power for a multi year run? No, but I think it will run for a goodly length, it wasn’t an OMG wow show but it definitely had some amazing singing from Chenoweth and some good comic bits by Hayes.
I am giving this Production of Promises Promises a Versatile with a tendency to be a Lazy Top.
Rhett's review
Promises, Promises, Starring Sean Hayes and Kristen Chenoweth
Written by Neil Simon, Burt Bacharach, and Hal David
Seen on Monday April 5th,2010
"just so you know...8pm is NOT Turkey Lurkey time!"
This was the text I received from my best friend Brant (aka-Porsche) as I was entering the theater to see "Promises, Promises"
He was right...turkey lurkey time was closer to 9:30.
I must admit, I had fairly low expectations for this revival of a 60's musical about a young office worker (Sean "Just Jack" Hayes) who loans out his apt. as a private brothel for the higher ups in his company as a means of climbing the corporate ladder.
The plot sounded kitschy and deluded, the concept seemed outdated, and even the little bit of music that I had heard sounded tinny and cheesy.
I was pretty surprised when I saw a show that had depth & darkness, characters that were relatable & real, and music that was somehow able to capture the style & emotion of the 60's while sounding very contemporary & relevant.
I give most of the credit to Kristen Chenoweth. This cast (which is very "look-appropriate”, like the cast of the TV show "Mad Men") is full of varied talents, but most of those talents DON'T include singing. Even Sean Hayes, with physical comedy bits that are way funnier than anything I ever saw him do on "Will and Grace”, has a decent, sustained voice, but a with ludicrous vibrato and no REAL music chops.
G-d Bless Kristen Chenoweth!
Every note that came out of her mouth was like honey trickling all over the stage and I want to lick up every last drop! (Ooh, that sounds dirty)
To hear that the producers decided to add in the songs "I say a Little Prayer for you”, and” AA House is Not a Home" put me off a bit at first. I was sure these were unnecessary "hits" thrown into the show to give some familiarity (and sell a few more Cast Recordings). But listening to Chenoweth captivate the crowd with the bubbly "Say a Little Prayer", and then break your heart with the introspective "House is not a Home" was like getting a couple of extra gifts for Chanukah!
I also have to give special props to 2 stands out performances. Dick Latessa (Tony award as "Hairspray’s Wilbur Turnblad) plays the sweet, sarcastic old doctor who lives next door to Hayes and assumes all of the "shenanigans" going on are Hayes and his Harem of Whores! His lovable persona, and dead pan delivery gave Mr.Latessa a few brilliant moments that stole the show.
Also, Katie Finnerans brilliant 15 minutes of fame left me wanting more. Finneran portrayed "Margie MacDougal" the drunken floozy that Hayes picks up in a bar when he finds out his secret crush (Chenowith) has been sleeping with his boss,in HIS OWN Apartment! Finneran created a character that was so original, so amusing, and so ridiculously captivating, that she actually stole laughs from Hayes! When she asks his name and he says "C.C. Baxter”, and she moans, gutterally "Oooooh, Initials! That’s hot". Or when she asks if he likes her fur and exlplains,"It's real Owl!...you know, the birds with the big eyes that go 'whoooo!'..." These are moments that made an otherwise dark and heavy 2nd act much more fun and enjoyable.
Turkey Lurkey time IS STILL in the show (contrary to some terrible rumors being spread by drag doll Mimi ImWrong! lol), and thank heavens for that loosey goosey number! It really popped, mixing choreography with some of the original Bennette sass, mixed with some of "Camp’s Jerry Mitchell electricity, and polished it with Rob Ashford's sparkle.
Overall I was pleasantly surprised with a show that could have been senseless and banal, but was brought to life by a few Ovation worthy performances.
On a scale of Top, Bottom, or Versatile, I give "Promises, Promises" a Versatile (with some Top tendencies!)
Just a Little something to brighten your day
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