Promises, Promises

by Courtney Hilden

Promises, Promises is a revival of an older Broadway show, starring Sean Hayes (in his Broadway debut), Kristen Chenoweth and Molly Shannon, amongst others. The show follows Hayes's Chuck Baxter, an accountant trying to move up in the large firm he works in. When he discovers that the easiest way to get favors from executives is to lend out his apartment to them so they can extra-marital affairs, he finds himself not only in a tough place morally but accidentally making it easier for his boss, Sheldrake to have an affair with Baxter's unrequited love, Fran.
Hayes and Chenoweth gives unsurprisingly great performances. Hayes makes Baxter just the right amount of neurotic without losing any charm. Chenoweth tones down her more squeaky voice to make Fran a lovely young woman. Chenoweth's Fran isn't stupid or a bimbo; she knows exactly what mess she is getting herself into by getting involved a second time with Sheldrake. The chemistry between Hayes and Chenoweth feels genuine, unforced, and earnest, and it's surprisingly realistic for a comedy with such dark elements underneath the surface. Shannon, who plays the ridiculous Marge MacDougall, is clearly having a ball with such a silly character. It's nice to see a cast who is clearly not working, but playing.
The set pieces were also suburb. Everything was period appropriate and beautifully created. When we finally see the apartment that has been so important to the story, we realize how ordinary and sweetly normal it is, just like Baxter. The music was perfect and everyone's singing was great. Overhall, a strong show for anyone who enjoys a well-told story but great actors.