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Our Ultimate Top 20 "Turkey Lurkey Time" Countdown from Promises, Promises

Last updated December 1st, 2020 by BroadwayBox Staff
Our Ultimate Top 20 "Turkey Lurkey Time" Countdown from Pro…

Photo by Emilio Madrid

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


2. American Dance Machine


Jessica Lee Goldyn, Mara Davi and Rosie Fiedelman


1. Original Broadway Cast


Donna McKechnie, Baayork Lee and Julane Stites


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