Hayes and Hathaway to star in Ashford-directed PROMISES, PROMISES workshop- Page 2

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 3/19/08 at 2:33pm

I think Sean Hayes is a fantastic choice, and I'm thrilled that Anne Hathaway is part of this. She'll be great as Fran. I don't know what Riedel is smoking, Hathaway has a pretty great singing voice and can actually belt pretty well, I've heard her renditions of "It's a Perfect Relationship" and "I Wonder What Became of Me" and she does a great job with both.
I really hope the production gets a revival and that this cast remains with it. Let me just say I am thrilled beyond belief that Ashford is the one handling this and not Kathleen Marshall!

[Gothampc]

Posted: 3/19/08 at 2:37pm

"right, but he CAN play slap-stick very well. i think it could work."

When did he ever play slapstick? If you look at his role on "Will & Grace" most of the comedy was in the writing. Almost any actor with some talent could have played that role.

[folkyboy]

Posted: 3/19/08 at 2:47pm

he played Jerry Lewis in a TV movie perfectly and i disagree that "any actor" could've played the role of Jack on Will & Grace. i feel strongly that anyone could've played Eric McCormick's part, but i don't think anyone could've played Jack.

[luvcaroline]

Posted: 3/19/08 at 3:58pm

As I have said several times on this board, this show was my very first Broadway experience, with the wonderful Lorna Luft. I loved every minute of it. I really hope that this revival does make it to Broadway. I agree with others, that the script could be left intact if it is made clear that this is a period piece. I think that it actually would get more laughs now than it did in the 60's & 70's. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this show!!

[sparrman]

Posted: 3/19/08 at 3:58pm

Hayes is a great choice and this would be a great career move for him, a heterosexual character in a high-profile project. He was terrific in the Lewis/Martin TV movie, and while Jerry Lewis isn't exactly the most masculine person alive, Hayes was quite convincing. Chuck Baxter can have a schnook-y quality that should fit Hayes well.

[fflagg]

Posted: 3/19/08 at 4:55pm

Sean Hayes? What an awful choice. That is like casting Paul Lynde to be Nicky Arnstein.

James McAvoy, who has been seen in town this week, is my choice.

Hayes will prob have more chemistry with Sheldrake than Fran.

And Hathaway is too pretty to play Fran.

[wickedfan]

Posted: 3/19/08 at 6:25pm

fflag- I disagree with you completely. Both on your assessments of Hathaway and Hayes (who is a brilliant comedic actor) and on your choice with McAvoy. He's far too intense for the role. Why don't we just do Funny Girl with Keira Knightley while we're at it?

And for all wondering, Hayes has played straight before. He is an actor, after all, and it wouldn't be the first time a show has had unconventional casting. Even Elaine Stritch played Anna in The King and I.

[chip08ME]

Posted: 3/19/08 at 7:04pm

Am I the only one who wants to see Neil Patrick Harris tackle this role? I think he'd be wonderful.

[FinalDestination]

Posted: 3/19/08 at 7:33pm

Off subject..but, Not Barker, Todd. your signature is hysterical.

On subject:
Fantastic news!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/19/08 at 8:09pm

NPH can play straight. Sean Hayes simply cannot. Yes I saw him in that hideous Jerry LEwis debacle.

[sondheimgeek]

Posted: 3/19/08 at 8:24pm

Excellent! I hope something comes out of this workshop!

And whoever suggested Martin Short, he was already in an Encores! production, and great too, might I add, but he is probably too old.

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 3/19/08 at 10:32pm

OOO, this is intriguing.

[A Director]

Posted: 3/19/08 at 11:09pm

It would be a WHY revival! When the show was done by ENCORES, most critics called the show dated. The score, which sounded fresh when the show first opened, is stale.

I love Edward Albee's comment about the original production. " I saw Promises, Promises the night after it opened; Neil Simon had removed all the jokes."

[Smaxie]

Posted: 3/20/08 at 2:05am

Yes, it's a good thing that men no longer have affairs and office dalliances are a thing of the past.

[alterego]

Posted: 3/20/08 at 2:06am

Neil Patrick Harris - YES!

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 3/20/08 at 3:10am

Okay, Neil Patrick Harris does sound like an ideal option to headline this show, but I think Sean Hayes is a brilliant comedian and he is more than able to pull off straight. And I disagree with whoever said the comedy in WILL & GRACE was all in the writing, Hayes' brilliant talent for physical comedy and impressive chemistry with all the leads in the show was fascinating. Jack could have easily been just annoying, and Hayes made him into one of the most beloved character on TV when the show ran. I really REALLY hope the two leads stick with the revival and that it finds its way to Broadway soon.
I'm more excited about Hathaway than Hayes though.

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 3/20/08 at 8:36am

I see NPH as Sheldrake more than Baxter.

[best12bars]

Posted: 3/20/08 at 9:10am

Neil Patrick Harris would be great for Baxter!

And Fran should be more waif-like. An adorable gamine.

Not a statuesque beauty.

[wickedfan]

Posted: 3/20/08 at 10:36am

Hathway is FAR from a statuesque beauty. She's very pretty, but in a low key, somewhat approachable way. I think Hathaway is perfect both vocally and physically for the role. Her good looks are not so refined that one looks at her and can't catch their breath. Her kind of look is the kind that makes people look at her and think "now that's a pretty girl", but to someone like C.C. Baxter, she's the girl of his dreams.

And I agree, NPH would be great in this, too. I'm still for Hayes, though.

[best12bars]

Posted: 3/20/08 at 10:39am

I suppose they can tone it down... but this IS "statuesque beauty."

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 3/20/08 at 11:11am

Ok, so this just makes a bad week better. If they bring Donna McKechnie back to dance "Turkey Lurkey Time" I'll be thrilled to bits.

I actually would love to see Hathaway play Dorothy...

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 3/20/08 at 12:34pm

Well, Besty, to be fair Hathaway was anything but a statuesque beauty in the first part of THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA and I bought it. I think she can be very awkward and adorable. I find her to be more than capable.
Now I really wish Neil Patrick Harris was involved with this.

[chip08ME]

Posted: 3/20/08 at 1:40pm

I think Hathaway will handle the role well, but I doubt it will have the jazzy feel the O'Hara has on the recording. But at least this show will be playing in New York again!

And Hayes will probably be more Jack Lemmon, less Jerry Orbach with the character.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 3/20/08 at 2:02pm

Yeah I was thinking that Hathaway is completely different from Jill O'Hara, whom I simply love in the cast recording. Most people prefer Buckley's pretty voice, but Buckley can't begin to match the pathos, beauty, and intensity that O'Hara brings to Fran's songs on the recording. Hathaway's voice is more Buckley than O'Hara, but I do think she can do wonders with the role. I'd love to hear her rendition of "Whoever You Are."

[bk]

Posted: 3/20/08 at 3:21pm

I understand that the current generation thinks Mr. Ashford is some sort of good wizard choreographer, but I don't find him that interesting. And now he's a director, too, huh? And they have to "workshop" a hit Broadway musical of the past? It worked then, it can work now, as long as you have the right people - just on paper, it doesn't seem to me that they do.