The Turkey Lurkey time is here! It's "Turkey Lurkey Time."
On December 1, 1968, the Neil Simon penned Broadway musical Promises, Promises, based on the film The Apartment celebrated its opening night at the Shubert Theatre. After a number of songs throughout the first act of the Burt Bacharach and Hal David score, audiences found themselves at the Consolidated Life office Christmas party. Miss Polansky from Accounts Receivable, Miss Wong of Mimeograph and Miss Della Hoya of Petty Cash took center stage to dazzle audiences with choreographer Michael Bennett's athletic, enthusiastic, high kicking, head bopping number titled "Turkey Lurkey Time."
The number has been recreated at regional theatre cabarets, films, universities, choirs, benefits and Broadway.
The hilarious Seth Rudetsky deconstructed the musical's Tony Awards performance with particular attention at Donna McKechnie's neck choreo alone! "Wow!"
Donna shared her own insider first hand knowledge of the iconic number and its journey from out of town to Broadway.
In celebration of the musical's Broadway opening night 52 years ago tonight, it seemed more fitting than ever to countdown our top 20 performances of this phenomenal tune.
20. Shawnee State University
Shawnee State University Musical Theatre Department
19. AMDA
Alyssa Arcangeli, Savannah Shearouse, Kayla Castle
18. Chicago Gay Man's Chorus
2013 Chicago Gay Man's Chorus
17. A Paige Turner Christmas
Paige Turner, Sutton Lee Seymour, Nomi Sas, Chelsea Piers, Jackie Cox, Alexis Michelle
16. Daniel Reichard
Daniel Reichard's 2015 Concert Under The Mistletoe, Broadway at Birdland
15. Indianapolis Men's Chorus
Indianapolis Men's Chorus 2013 Concert Be Merry, Be Bright
14. Oklahoma City University Cabaret
Elliott Mattox, Maggie Spicer and Darius Wright
13. Elon University
2015 Grand Night with Madison Johnson, Becky Frohlinger, Jessica Riloff, Nicole Uram and Caity Skalski
12. Pittsburgh CLO Cabaret
Max Clayton, Connor Mcrory and Jonalyn Saxer at the PCLO Resident Company Cabaret
11. A Very Broadway Holiday
Tommy Bracco, Molly Jobe and JP Ferreri
10. University of Michigan Musical Theatre Majors
2007 Performance by the MT Majors choreographed by Dani Spieler
9. Act III Theatre Ensemble
Jordan Aragon, Christopher Albrecht and Hunter Bird at the ensemble's Monday Night Cabaret in 2009
8. Bacharach To The Future
Choreography recreated by Adam Cates for Bacharach To The Future BC/EFA benefit
7. Promises, Promises in Concert
Transport Group's 2018 concert presentation with Lauren Blackman, Julia Harnett and Skye Mattox at Merkin Hall
6. Camp
Alana Allen, Tracee Beazer, DeQuina Moore in the 2003 film Camp
5. Wicked Wonderland Benefit
2018 benefit performance with Lauren Cannon, Autumn Crockett Cooper, Tiffany Mallari, Andy Richardson
4. Broadway Replacement Cast in 1969
Julane Stites and Broadway Cast's 1969 television appearance
3. 2010 Broadway Revival
Megan Sikora, Cameron Adams and Mayumi Miguel
Jessica Lee Goldyn, Mara Davi and Rosie Fiedelman
1. Original Broadway Cast
Donna McKechnie, Baayork Lee and Julane Stites
