 PROMISES, PROMISES
Book by Neil Simon based on the screenplay The
Apartment by Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond.
Music by Burt Bacharach, lyrics by Hal David
Shubert Theater, New York - 1 December, 1968 (1281
perfs)
Prince of Wales Theatre, London - 2 October, 1969 - (560
perfs)
Synopsis
Except for minor deviations, the story line in this
musical follows closely the one in the movie. Chuck is young, ambitious, likeable, charming and a
bachelor who works for the Consolidated Life Insurance
Company whose chief executives use his apartment for extra
curricular amatory pursuits. Mr Dobitch - Mortgages and
Loans Dept - borrows Chuck's keys, and apartment against the
promise of rapid promotion within the company. But it is not
only Mr Dobitch who borrows the apartment: one
executive after another also borrow it - and all with the
same promise of advancement within the company.
Fran Kubelik, a waitress in the company restaurant and a
girl whom Chuck has admired from a distance has an
assignation with J.D. Sheldrake, personnel director. Fran is
dumped by Sheldrake and she tries to commit suicide in
Chuck's bedroom. A Jewish doctor, Dr. Dreyfuss saves her
life but suspects that Chuck was the cause of the suicide
attempt. Meanwhile, Miss Olsen, Sheldrake's former mistress,
decides to acquaint his wife about his affairs, when
Sheldrake tries to resume his affair with Fran. But, when he
meets Chuck to sort things out regarding the use of the
apartment he is given the keys, not to the apartment but to
the executive bathroom.
Chuck believes he has better things to do than work at
Consolidated Life Insurance Company - playing cards at New
Year with Fran for instance!
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Casting:
25 parts, 9 principals, plus 3 featured
female dancers and 4 female voices in orchestra pit.
Principal Characters:
Chuck Baxter - An office worker (a warm,
friendly comic actor with strong singing voice).
Fran Kubelik - a restaurant waitress (winning
smile, cute rather than glamorous, powerful broad range
singing voice, good diction.)
J.D. Sheldrake - a personnel manager (the
heavy, good actor who sings.)
Dr. Dreyfuss - a neighbour (exceptional
character comic, sings 1 number with Chuck.)
Marge MacDougall - A bar acquaintance (good
character woman, minor singing.)
Dobitch, Kirkeby, Eichelberger, and Vanderhof, light
character men who sing in quartet.
Vivien, Miss Polansky, and Miss Wong, featured
dancers who sing "Turkey Lurkey Time."
Total cast 36-46.
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Scenes and Sets:
2 acts, 14 scenes, 4 full stage sets, 4 partial sets (one
has pivoting signs that change from Consolidated Life Office
to Madison Square Garden identification), 3 major glass and
steel fly-ins. ACT I
Scene 1: Offices of Consolidated Life. Second
Avenue Bar.
Scene 2: Chuck's Apartment House.
Scene 3: Medical Office.
Scene 4: Mr. Sheldrake's Office.
Scene 5: Lobby.
Scene 6: Lum Ding's Restaurant and Madison Square
Garden.
Scene 7: Lobby, Executive Dining Room. Executive
Sun Deck.
Scene 8: At the Elevator.
Scene 9: 19th Floor Christmas Party.
ACT II
Scene 1: Clancy's Lounge.
Scene 2: Chuck's Apartment.
Scene 3: Offices of Consolidated Life.
Scene 4: Lum Ding's Restaurant and Street.
Scene 5: Chuck's Apartment.
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Period and Costumes:
The present: latest in office clothes, expensive-looking
suits for executives, mini dresses, coats, evening wear,
casual shirts and slacks, overcoats, hats, caps, etc.,
derby, owlfeathered coat, and uniforms for bartender,
nurses, doctor, nightclub hostess, waiter, and laborer.
Choreoghraphy:
Modern and featured female dance trio.
Lighting and Special Effects:
Dramatic and area
lighting required for numerous crossfades and lighting of
partial sets.
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