THEATRICAL THROWBACK THURSDAY: A Toast To The Terrific 'Turkey Lurkey Time' Times Three (And A Half)

By: Nov. 27, 2014
THEATRICAL THROWBACK THURSDAYS
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Today, in honor of Thanksgiving, we are revisiting one of the most spectacular holiday showstoppers in Broadway history, "Turkey Lurkey Time" from PROMISES, PROMISES.

May All Your Wishes Come True

The gob-smacking genius of choreographer and director Michael Bennett is clear to see in every single step of his masterpieces A CHORUS LINE and DREAMGIRLS, yet Bennett made a major mark very early on in his career as a showman byway of his contributions to the hit David Merrick-produced musical PROMISES, PROMISES in 1969. Boasting a pop-flecked score with some seriously groovy sounds courtesy of hitmakers Burt Bacharach and Hal David, PROMISES, PROMISES paid generous tribute to the sounds, styles and attitudes of the specific time via a shrewd, swingin' 60s reworking of Billy Wilder's THE APARTMENT by none other than 60s Broadway playwright supreme Neil Simon. Yet, as magical as all those great Golden Age ingredients were, the most memorable moment of the musical undoubtedly came in the Act One finale, the unassumingly-titled "Turkey Lurkey Time".

Originally intended as a merry and slightly toasted throwaway number at a rowdy office-wide holiday party, the quaint and plucky trio begun by three saucy secretaries, heading up the "entertaining committee" - Miss Polanski of Accounts Receiveable, Miss Wong of Mimeograph and Miss De La Hoya of Petty Cash - soon explodes into an entertainment extravaganza the likes of which Broadway rarely sees, now or ever. Accordingly, Margo Sappington, Baayork Lee and Donna McKechnie blast it to even higher heights via their awe-inspiringly athletic and accomplished choreographed flourishes featured throughout the whirlwind musical moment, expertly stages by Bennett firing on all axles.

Of course, Sappington, Lee and McKechnie were already preeminent interpreters of Bennett's smart and savvy choreography, even at this early stage of his career, having already appeared in COMPANY, A JOYFUL NOISE, HENRY, SWEET HENRY and other Bennett projects prior to PROMISES, PROMISES. Nevertheless, the exhilarating trio-led "Turkey Lurkey Time" offered them a tour de force rarely afforded to otherwise negligible characters in the drama of the musical, showing strong evidence for Bennett's insight into making a moment really land - and how - even in spite of judicious dramatic justification. It's a holiday party, so anything goes - and, as we can clearly see, anything and everything does; and goes all out.

Revisit one of Broadway's juiciest delicacies via this unforgettable vintage clip of the cast of PROMISES, PROMISES performing "Turkey Lurkey Time" on the 1969 Tony Awards.

Additionally, the Broadway cast recreated "Turkey Lurkey Time" on THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW in 1970.

Also, check out the loving recreation of the showstopper in the theatre-themed cult indie favorite CAMP.

Lastly, here is a recent GLEE mash-up of "Turkey Lurkey Time" with Scissor Sisters hit "Let's Have A Kiki".

So, which iteration of "Turkey Lurkey Time" is your absolute favorite of all? Furthermore, what exactly about the build-up of the number and the way Bennett stages it makes it so exhilarating to behold in your humble estimation? With a showstopper this strong to kick off your Thanskgiving, viewing this classic clip assures one holiday wish has already come true for all of us Broadway babies.


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