BWW TV: PROMISES, PROMISES Video Preview!- Page 3

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/24/10 at 4:28pm

Am i the only person that enjoyed turkey lurkey?

Yup.

[TimesSquared]

Posted: 4/24/10 at 4:35pm

Posters keep writing "I can't believe they didn't use Bennett's choreography!"

I enjoy the original Turkey L. too, but what self-respecting choreographer trying to make a name for himself would choreograph a whole show, and then insert another man's work for the biggest number (If it were even legally possible to do so)?

I liked that Ashford made "Turkey" a part of the dance. The "Shake Your Tailfeathers" (1963, right from the period) moves gave a theme to the dance.

I saw the revival last week. Could have done without the interpolated songs, and I have a couple of other nitpicks, but overall I found it really entertaining. Sean Hayes was so funny and endearing.

I've been familiar with the score for years, but I had no idea the book was so good. And I thought the set design nailed not just 1962, but New York City 1962. The production design was gorgeous. That proscenium and those bronze statues could have been taken right out of Lincoln Center.

[Marquise]

Posted: 4/24/10 at 6:29pm

And sadly the show's time period was changed to 1962. Kristin is now Doris Day, Sean Hayes is Tony Randall, Tony Goldwyn is Rock Hudson and Dick LaTessa is Thelma Ritter and the songs are still mired in all the go-go-go of....1968.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/24/10 at 6:35pm

Without Bennett's choreography, "Turkey Lurkey" is a stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid song, devoid of any redeeming values EXCEPT Bennett's choreography.

If they were not going to use that choreography--and a self-respecting choreographer could have included it as a tribute to a man who inspired him, with appropriate credit in the program, as Ann Reinking did with Bob Fosse's "Hot Honey Rag"--they should have cut the song and interpolated any of a number of other songs, since interpolation was clearly ok under the ground rules of this production.

But to try to do other choreography to a song like ""Turkey Lurkey" is to invite ridicule.

[Marquise]

Posted: 4/24/10 at 6:38pm

I'll stay home, watch PILLOW TALK and play Bacharach in the background.
No.... better yet I'll stay home, watch THE APARTMENT and pause it while I play the Bacharach tunes at the appropriate moments.
Updated On: 4/24/10 at 06:38 PM

[TimesSquared]

Posted: 4/24/10 at 7:18pm

Imagine the uproar on this board if he'd simply cut Turkey Lurkey? The word pandemonium comes to mind.

[Liz7]

Posted: 4/24/10 at 7:33pm

^Yep^ And to quote Ms. Cheoweth
"“While it's impossible to please everyone at once,
it's quite possible to piss everybody off at once"

[bk]

Posted: 4/24/10 at 8:49pm

Promises, Promises took place in the then current 1968. It did not take place in 1962 or any other year. The crassness of setting it in the earlier time period so they can try to - what - coattail Mad Men - is beyond ridiculous. And turkey moves = turkey choreography.

[Wicked Fanatic]

Posted: 4/24/10 at 9:57pm

And a little better You Tube video posted after the other one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15S4M5EAG8Y&NR=1
And even better Seth Rudetsky deconstructing "Turkey Lurkey Time"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4u70p_SSi0&NR=1

[Brick]

Posted: 4/24/10 at 10:37pm

"But to try to do other choreography to a song like ""Turkey Lurkey" is to invite ridicule."

Reminds me of when Wayne Cilento re-choreographed Rich Man's Frug in the 2005 SWEET CHARITY revival. It's only asking for trouble.

[TimesSquared]

Posted: 4/24/10 at 10:49pm

For me, Turkey Lurkey didn't make or break the show—I'm obsessed with the original (especially the Ed Sullivan Show version with rockin' little Julane Stites as Miss Della Hoya)—but the number is nuts and has nothing to do with the plot, so if it's not the crescendo-ing blast that the original was, it didn't ruin my enjoyment of the show.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 4/25/10 at 4:38am

I am amazed that the producers didn't realize the value of the mnumber with Bennett's choreography. It is sad because this show looks like it could use all the zing it can get.

And WickedFanatic, thanks for the lead to the better video. It's even better at 420p.

[Marquise]

Posted: 4/25/10 at 4:45am

It's even better at 480p

[allofmylife]

Posted: 4/25/10 at 5:23am

Picky.