The Broward Stage Door Theatre presents the Burt Bacharach/Hal David/Neil Simon musical Promises, Promises from September 25th through November 1st. Promises, Promises was the only Broadway musical written by Bacharach and David; it is filled with Bacharach’s tricky time signatures, and produced an unusually large number of hit songs, including “A House is Not a Home”, “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again”, “I Say a Little Prayer for You” and the show’s title number, “Promises, Promises”; the cast album won a Grammy award for best cast recording.
Based on the classic1960 Billy Wilder film The Apartment, Promises, Promises tells the story of Chuck Baxter, a charming young employee at the Consolidated Life Insurance Company. In an effort to advance at the company, Chuck lends executives his apartment for their extramarital romantic trysts. But things become slightly complicated when Fran Kubelik, the object of Chuck’s affection, becomes the mistress of one of his executives.
It was definitely a product of its time when it opened in 1968. And now, with the success of television’s Mad Men, and the popularity of all things ‘retro’, the show is once again a timely piece. Stage Door Theatre will present this multi-award winning musical. The script, by Neil Simon, is filled with memorable ‘one-liners’, and although at first glance the story might seem light and inconsequential, the show’s themes – of infidelity, losing one’s moral compass, unrequited love – anchor it in reality.
Michael Leeds will direct the production, Kevin Black has taken on the choreographic duties, and Michael Larsen will provide musical direction. “This is a show I grew up with,” says Larsen. “I remember when I was 8 years old, my parents came home from seeing the original Broadway production, and oh, how they loved it. It was the hottest ticket in town for three years. We wore out the original cast album listening to this exciting, and for the time, so fresh and forward-looking Burt Bacharach score. I’m honored to have the chance to work with this terrific team and talented cast to present a score that is so deeply personal to me. I hope my love of this music comes shining through in performance!” Kevin Black agrees: “How can you go wrong with the incredible score of Burt Bacharach combined with the comedic writing of Neil Simon? It’s a true gem that’s rarely produced. We are tremendously excited to bring it to life once again at The Stage Door Theatre,” he says. Leeds is equally enthusiastic: “Before the TV series Mad Men, there was Promises, Promises,” he says. “Promises, Promises is Mad Men with the incredible music of Burt Bacharach!”
Promises, Promises will run from September 25 – November 1 at The Stage Door Theatre. The theatre is located at 8036 Sample Road, Margate, 33065. Tickets for Promises, Promises are $38 – $42; $16 student tickets are also available. Tickets may be purchased at the Broward Stage Door Theatre box office at 954-344-7765 or on line at www.stagedoortheatre.com.
