Scarlett Johansson and Sean Hayes to Star in Promises, Promises?
Not satisfied with the amount of star power currently lighting Broadway up like a piece of prime Vegas real estate? Then how about the news that famously curvacious A-lister Scarlett Johansson will be hitting the boards as well? According to Nylon magazine, the blonde bombshell will star in a revival of the musical Promises, Promises opposite stage alum and former Will and Grace scene-stealer Sean Hayes. No theater, dates or official information have been announced. Anne Hathaway was originally rumored to star opposite Hayes in the revival after a October 2008 reading of the show.
Johansson would play the role of lovelorn Fran, a waitress working in the restaurant of major company Consolidated Life Insurance. During her time as a meal-slinger, Fran meets and begins a flirtation with company man Chuck (Hayes), an ambitious go-getter with his eye set on the girl serving him lunch. The predictable musical mayhem starts when Chuck's boss, J.D. Sheldrake, asks his employee to borrow his apartment for an affair—with Fran. Let the games begin.
With a book by Neil Simon and music and lyrics by Bert Bacharach and Hal David, Promises, Promises debuted on Broadway in December 1968, starring a Tony Award-winning Jerry Orbach and Jill O'Hara. The show's combination of catchy tunes like "Turkey Lurkey Time" and "I'll Never Fall in Love Again," combined with choreography by Michael Bennett and a cast full of Tony-nominated supporting players, kept the show running at the Shubert Theatre for nearly 1,300 performances before its close on January 1, 1972. The musical was adapted from the 1960 film The Apartment.
Johansson is best known for her diverse film career, which includes The Horse Whisperer, Lost in Translation, Girl with a Pearl Earring, In Good Company, The Island, The Other Boleyn Girl and Vicky Christina Barcelona. Those curious about her pipes can check out her 2008 solo album Anywhere I Lay My Head, featuring the actress' interpretations of songs by Tom Waits.
Hayes showed off his own musical prowess in Encores!' 2008 run of Damn Yankees. Best known as TV's Jack from Will and Grace, additional credits include Pieces of April, 30 Rock, The Bucket List and Soul Men.
Playwright Neil Simon is already well-represented on the Rialto. His Brighton Beach Memoirs and Broadway Bound both take the stage this season, beginning with the former on October 2 at the Nederlander Theatre.
