Theater Review: 'Promises, Promises' at SHU Theatre Arts Program

“Promises, Promises” is the musical version of the screenplay for the 1980 film “The Apartment,” written by Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond. The book for the musical was written by Neil Simon and smacks of his comedy, with a few well-known musical numbers written by the team of Burt Bacharach and Hal David. The Sacred Heart University Performing Arts Theatre Arts Program has produced a great production of this dated but enjoyable classic that closes with the matinee on April 14.

There is a description of the show in the printed program. In this infamous Tony Award winning musical, audiences go on “a journey through the wild nature of love” taking us “through the challenges of love” and “relates to all people on the journey of self discovery.” The premise is that Chuck, a junior executive at a large insurance company, sets out to climb the corporate ladder by allowing his tiny Upper West Side apartment to be used for trysts by his married superiors.

The original Broadway production, starring Jerry Orbach, ran for more than 1,000 performances before closing in 1972. The revival in 2010 featured Sean Hayes and Kristin Chenoweth. It included the two additional Bacharach-David songs "I'll Never Fall in Love Again" and "A House Is Not a Home" that were covered by Dionne Warwick during the height of her fame.

Director Jerry Goehring leads the students in this well-cast performance, with most of the young male university students having to play older. The director was assisted by Nora Delehanty and Maggie Devlin.

I had never seen a production of “Promises, Promises,” although I was certainly familiar with several of the iconic musical numbers "I Say a Little Prayer,” "Turkey Lurkey Time," the title song. I had never heard any of the other songs in the score, although they often sound like the work of Bacharach and David, with interesting rhythms.

The set design by the Theatre Arts Department matches both the era and the artwork of the show, with neon speech squares above the orchestra that then become screens for some animated graphics.

Andrew Sisti, a SHU freshman who played Laurie in “Little Women,” shines in every aspect of the character of Chuck Baxter. Erin Pellegrini, a sophomore who played Jo in “Little Women,” gives a strong performance as Fran Kubelik.

Junior Sean Ryan, who played Brad in “Rocky Horror,” portrays the cad who is the powerful personnel director J.D. Sheldrake. Senior Jordan Pita makes the most of the role of Baxter’s next door neighbor, Dr. Dreyfuss. Pita also was in charge of the projection design.

Grace Peknic, a junior, who played Janet in “Rocky Horror,” doesn’t come on until the top of the second act, but she gives a memorably comic performance in the role of the tipsy and lonely Marge MacDougall.

Senior Chris Conet ([title of show]) plays Dobitch, sophomore David Irizarry is Kirkeby, sophomore Nolan Young appears as Eichelberger, Nick Rubano, a senior, plays Jesse Vanderhof.

Bella Generazo, a SHU sophomore, plays Sylvia and other various roles. Junior Kiley Ondash, who was Susan in [title of show,] appears as Ginger and others. Junior Juliana Balzano (“Ride the Cyclone”) covers Vivien and others. Senior Colleen Degennaro (Jane Doe in “”Cyclone”) does well in the featured role of secretary Miss Olson. Senior Francesca Catrone makes her mainstage debut as Miss Polansky and other roles.

Freshman Kristina Holland plays a dentist’s nurse and other roles. Sam Eaton, who was Dr. Scott in “Rocky Horror,” appears as Bartender Eddie and others and junior Billy Kasheta (Riff Raff in “Rocky Horror,” plays a young executive and others. Brad Hutchison steps up to play Fran’s brother Karl and others.

The choreography by Simone DePaulo is energetic and sometimes sexy. In the dance ensemble are the dance captain Brayden Wihbey, Tara Kelly, Jillian Bowman, Riley Bauer and freshman Grace Anderson. The pit singers include Tori, Cutalo, Emily Vandal, Michelle Cuocci, Dani Savino, Juliana Leonardis and Madeline Talluto.

Musical Director Leo Carusone conducts the 16-member orchestra that is required to make this challenging score sound authentic. The group of costumed pit singers sit onstage directly in front of Carusone and add much with their smooth vocals. The sound design by Mathew Cordova worked well.

The lighting design by the theater department includes some effective spot lights and lots of colorful backlighting. Hair and makeup design by Samantha Madigan and Jenny Tilden works perfectly with the delightful sixties costumes designed by Kyla Goncalves and Emily Vandal. Props designed by Katie McCabe and Will Heidelberger V help to set the tone as well.

Be forewarned that the story includes a suicide attempt, as well as the obvious marital infidelity. The performance is presented with a 15-minute intermission and it runs almost three hours.

Tickets for Promises, Promises are available online at edgertoncenter.org, at the Edgerton Center Box Office in person Monday to Friday, 12-4, or on the phone at (203) 371-7908.

The next season for the Theatre Arts Program will open with “Peter and the Starcatcher” and will be followed by the annual “A Christmas Carol A family ghost story” adapted by Grace Curley ‘23.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theater reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, and she posts well over 100 reviews each year. She became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle in 2016. Her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted in the Naugatuck Patch as well as the Patch sites closest to the venue. She is also a feature writer and theater reviewer for the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column IN THE WINGS and theater reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the newspaper.

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