Despite numerous reports picked up on the rumor patrol, it seems that the particularly juicy one suggesting that Scarlett Johanssen will be starring in the upcoming Broadyway production of Promises Promises is in fact just that: rumor.
Johanssen is not the first star to be associated with the show, even if falsely. City Center Encores! held a staged concert in March 1997, starring Christine Baranski and Martin Short, and a reading of the show was held in October 2008 with Sean Hayes and Anne Hathaway. Sean Hayes is reportedly attached to the male lead for the Broadway run, while the role of Fran the waitress for which Hathaway read remains officially un-cast.
However, Johanssen's reps deny the multiple reports indicating Johanssen's participation, claiming that she has not even been approached, thus putting the debate as to whether Johanssen could actually carry a Broadway musical on hold.
Johansson is best known for her film career, with credits including The Horse Whisperer, Lost in Translation, Girl with a Pearl Earring, In Good Company, The Island, The Other Boleyn Girl and Vicky Christina Barcelona. She made her professional debut in the music arena with her 2008 solo album Anywhere I Lay My Head, featuring her interpretations of songs by Tom Waits. The album got mixed to tepid reviews.
Promises, Promises is a musical based on the 1960 film The Apartment written by Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond. The music is by Burt Bacharach, lyrics by Hal David, and book by Neil Simon. Musical numbers for the original Broadway production were choreographed by Michael Bennett; RoBert Moore directed. The story concerns marital intrigue. The show was originally produced on Broadway in 1968, running for 1,281 performances. A London production opened in 1969 featuring Tony Roberts and Betty Buckley and has been produced regionally for decades. The cast album won the Grammy Award for best cast recording, and a song from from the show, "I'll Never Fall in Love Again", became a hit single for Dionne Warwick.
