But THEN we decided to see Promises, Promises, as we are both Kristen Chenoweth and Sean Hayes fans.
Promises, Promises
Music and Lyrics by: Burt Bacharach and Hal David (Book by Neil Simon)
Basic Story: Chuck rents out his apartment to his superiors at work for their illicit affairs, but things get complicated when his dream girl turns out to be involved with his (very married) boss.
Score: As a performance? A-, but as a musical? C
Top Songs: I have many issues with the soundtrack, but I suppose "Where Can You Take a Girl?"
Actors to See: Kristen Chenoweth as Fran, Sean Hayes as Chuck, and Katie Finneran as Marge
Cons: The music. It's repetitive, boring for the most part, and at some points doesn't even match the plot. It's only redeemed by the amazing talent singing it. The show would be much better as a play.
As always, photos are from the show's website.
The Audience
- Squealing girls. So many squealing girls. And lots of squealing boys. I mean, they are basically Wicked fans and Glee fans, with a smattering of Will and Grace fans. There must've been adults somewhere, as I saw people selling wine in plastic cups walking all over the place, but I think I can sum up the general audience under "fanatics."
The Cast
- Kristen Chenoweth and Sean Hayes have the most amazing chemistry. They are truly good friends, and it shows in how they perform. There were a few times during the show that they broke character, and though usually I don't like it, they manage to diffuse any negative emotions you may have. They are truly adorable together.
- Kristen Chenoweth has got a stunning voice. Any issues I had with the score were made up for in part by the fact that SHE was singing those songs. Really. And Sean Hayes pleasantly surprised me too! He's got a good voice, not as strong of Kristen, of course, but good. He certainly holds his own in the show.
- It's no surprise Katie Finneran (below) won a Tony for her role as Marge. Only on stage for two scenes in the second half of the show, she is absolutely hilarious as a drunk woman who hits on Chuck after he's found out about Fran's relationship with his boss. She manages to pull off one of the strangest dialouges I've ever heard and had the entire theatre laughing by her second line. "See this coat? It's ... owl."
The Music
- I strongly dislike this soundtrack. It's mostly comprised of hit Dionne Warwick songs and then totally forgettable pieces. The music is highly repetitive - each song starts the same, and ends the same, with basically the same middle. If it weren't for Kristen Chenoweth singing them, I would've been upset to have had to listen to all of it.
- I Say a Little Prayer for You - Recently added to the show, which makes no sense. Wonderfully performed yes, but this Dionne Warwick hit has nothing to do with the plot at all. Though it sounds like Fran is wistfully singing about a boyfriend who's safety she's always worried about, she's actually singing about her bastard of a boyfriend who continually refuses to leave his wife for her.
- She Likes Basketball - I don't buy for a second that Sean Hayes has ever played basketball, or even liked the sport. And it's not cause he's gay. It's cause this song is bad. Really bad. The lyrics are dull as hell. The choreography may be the best part, and that's not saying much.
- A House is Not a Home - Also, recently added. This one actually makes sense, and it's a pretty song, just not in the show. The new arrangement does not suit Kristen as well as the arrangement she used when she and Chris Colfer performed this song on Glee.
Overall, only see this show if you are a Kristen Chenoweth or Sean Hayes fan. If so, you'll enjoy it. The acting is great, and the story is compelling and funny. But the awkwardness of the score is impossible to ignore, and you won't leave the theatre humming any tunes or rushing to buy the CD. You've been warned.
~ Sarah
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