This lovely new revival of Burth Bacharach and Neil Simon's musical Promises, Promises, starring Sean Hayes and Kristin Chenoweth, is a big ole pile of classic Broadway mixed with modern day stars and techniques. Sean Hayes, (Will and Grace), plays Chuck Baxter a lonely employee who is low on the food chain in the office who uses his assets to the best of his ability to try and reach the top of the rocks. Also appearing above the title is Kristin Chenoweth (Wicked, Pushing Daisies, Glee), who plays Fran Kubelik, a naive cafeteria worker who falls for all the wrong men. With this being her first return to Broadway since her Tony nominated turn as Glinda in Wicked, one may expect Chenoweth to be slightly rusty or hold back somewhat feeling a stranger of sorts to the stage. The contrary is true as Miss Chenoweth shows why she will no doubt be known as one of the classic Broadway performers of her era. Standing at a mean 4'11'', Chenoweth has a voice that could fill the theatre without a mic attached to her forehead. It is truly a wonder to hear this womans' voice live rather than mixed on a soundtrack or foolishly autotuned on Glee. Making his Broadway debut Sean Hayes delights audiences eight times a week with his classic Broadway vocals and the excellent physical comedic timing he is best known for. Towards the end of the second act fans who have fallen in love with Sean for his comedy on Will and Grace will be glad to see him in a more serious note as problems arise for his character. Of course the stand out of the evening is without a doubt now 2 time Tony Award winner Miss. Katie Finneran as Marge McDougal. With a span of 25 minutes or so Miss Finneran gives a flawless comedic performance that has won her critical recognition and... oh yeah.... a TONY AWARD!!!! Which is very much deserved. With all respect I say that if Angela Lansbury had received the award I would have probably started a chant for Katie Finneran. It seems this is the perfect role for Finneran where her character first appears at the top of the second act causes the entire audience to laugh for twenty minutes straight and then is not seen again until the curtain call. Katie Finneran is pictured below as Marge McDougal donning her signature Owl fur coat. With all the above praise there are a few down points to this great production. With a show that is 2 hours and 45 minutes long, one feels as if the show is about half an hour too long and could definately be cut down. In one of Broadway's biggest houses this show can get lost as from seats in the rear mezzanine, facial expressions can hardly be seen and can distance audience members from the material. "Turkey Lurkey Time" is a classic number that everyone is looking forward to throughout the whole show and when it finally happeens the 3 or 4 minute dance number is incredibly lack luster and forgettable. My recommendation for this show would be to try for student rush which is in the mezzanine but the price is worth Katie Finneran's performance alone. Sean Hayes is charming. Kristin Chenoweth is a wonder. Katie Finneran is a Super Comedienne.
