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

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#26

re: Hayes and Hathaway to star in Ashford-directed PROMISES, PROMISES works

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!
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
#27

re: Hayes and Hathaway to star in Ashford-directed PROMISES, PROMISES works

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.
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
#29

re: Hayes and Hathaway to star in Ashford-directed PROMISES, PROMISES works

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!!
#30

re: Hayes and Hathaway to star in Ashford-directed PROMISES, PROMISES works

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.
#31

re: Hayes and Hathaway to star in Ashford-directed PROMISES, PROMISES works

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.
Do you know what happens when you let Veal Prince Orloff sit in an oven too long?
#32

re: Hayes and Hathaway to star in Ashford-directed PROMISES, PROMISES works

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.
"Sing the words, Patti!!!!" Stephen Sondheim to Patti LuPone.
#34

re: Hayes and Hathaway to star in Ashford-directed PROMISES, PROMISES works

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

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

On subject:
Fantastic news!

"That's a good point. Next time I pee on a Starbucks couch and throw straws and napkins at a barista, I'll just yell, "YOU DON'T KNOW ME OUTSIDE OF STARBUCKS! YOU DON'T KNOW ME AT ALL!" and that should do it. "-LizzieCurry
#36

re: Hayes and Hathaway to star in Ashford-directed PROMISES, PROMISES works

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.
"Light the candles! Get the ice out! Roll the rug up, it's today!"
#38

re: Hayes and Hathaway to star in Ashford-directed PROMISES, PROMISES works

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."
#41

re: Hayes and Hathaway to star in Ashford-directed PROMISES, PROMISES works

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.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
#42

re: Hayes and Hathaway to star in Ashford-directed PROMISES, PROMISES works

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

I see NPH as Sheldrake more than Baxter.
"The gods who nurse this universe think little of mortals' cares. They sit in crowds on exclusive clouds and laugh at our love affairs. I might have had a real romance if they'd given me a chance. I loved him, but he didn't love me. I wanted him, but he didn't want me. Then the gods had a spree and indulged in another whim. Now he loves me, but I don't love him." - Cole Porter
#44

re: Hayes and Hathaway to star in Ashford-directed PROMISES, PROMISES works

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.
"Sing the words, Patti!!!!" Stephen Sondheim to Patti LuPone.
#47

re: Hayes and Hathaway to star in Ashford-directed PROMISES, PROMISES works

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.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
#48

re: Hayes and Hathaway to star in Ashford-directed PROMISES, PROMISES works

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.
"I'm afraid that the children that the two of you would spawn would come out in costume, off book and belting Merman."
#49

re: Hayes and Hathaway to star in Ashford-directed PROMISES, PROMISES works

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."
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
#50

re: Hayes and Hathaway to star in Ashford-directed PROMISES, PROMISES works

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.

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