PROMISES, PROMISES' Hayes Comes Out in 'The Advocate'

Sean Hayes, set to make his Broadway debut with Kristin Chenoweth in the revival of PROMISES, PROMISES, talked to "The Advocate" in a recent interview about his sexual orientation. Hayes, who played the flamboyant Jack McFarland on the popular show "Will and Grace," has been somewhat cautious about the topic in the past.

He told "The Advocate," "I am who I am. I was never in, as they say. Never."

When asked why he remained hushed on his sexual orientation for so long Hayes answered, "Nobody owes anything to anybody. You are your authentic self to whom and when you choose to be, and if you don't know somebody, then why would you explain to them how you live your life?" The actor also discussed how playing an openly gay character on television contributed to society: "I feel like I've contributed monumentally to the success of the gay movement in America," he said, "and if anyone wants to argue that, I'm open to it. You're welcome."

Co-star of PROMISES, PROMISES Kristen Chenoweth told the magazine, "He is a private person. Just because we're performers doesn't mean we are that person. He's known for his character on Will & Grace, but that's not who he is. So I'm glad that he feels free to talk [now], but let me tell you something: Sean has never hidden anything. I don't think he was ever pretending to be anything he wasn't. And that's what to respect."

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Sean Hayes is best known for his role as Jack McFarland in the NBC sitcom "Will & Grace," for which he won an Emmy Award, four SAG Awards, one American Comedy Award, and six Golden Globes nominations. He also portrayed comedian Jerry Lewis in the made for TV movie "Martin and Lewis" and appeared in films like "Cats and Dogs," "Pieces of April," "The Cat in the Hat," and "Win a Date with Tad Hamil." He has made guest appearances on TV shows such as "Scrubs" and "30 Rock." In 2007 Hayes starred in "The Bucket List" alongside Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman.

On July 5, 2008, Hayes made his New York stage debut as Mr. Applegate/Devil in New York City Center's Encores! production of Damn Yankees opposite Jane Krakowski and Cheyenne Jackson. Hayes is set to star in the Broadway revival of PROMISES, PROMISES later this month.

Based on the 1960 Academy Award-winning Billy Wilder film The Apartment that starred Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine, PROMISES, PROMISES tells the story of the Consolidated Life Insurance Company and Chuck Baxter, one of its charming young employees. In an effort to advance at the company, Chuck lends executives his apartment for their extramarital romantic trysts. But things become slightly complicated when Fran Kubelik, the object of Chuck's affection, becomes the mistress of one of his executives.

PROMISES, PROMISES marks Tony and Emmy Award winner Rob Ashford's Broadway debut as director/choreographer. With Neil Simon's funny and touching book and Burt Bacharach and Hal David's hit-packed score ("I'll Never Fall In Love Again," "Promises, Promises," and "Knowing When to Leave") PROMISES, PROMISES is a unique and popular part of the musical theatre canon that will now return to the stage for the first time in over forty years, for a new generation of theatergoers. PROMISES, PROMISES begins previews at the Broadway Theater Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 8pm, and opens on Sunday, April 25, 2010.

PROMISES, PROMISES stars Sean Hayes as Chuck Baxter, Kristin Chenoweth as Fran Kubelik, Tony Goldwyn as J.D. Sheldrake, Tony Award winner Katie Finneran as Marge MacDougall and Tony Award winner Dick Latessa as Dr. Dreyfuss. They lead a cast of 27 that includes Brooks Ashmanskas as Mr. Dobitch, Peter Benson as Mr. Kirkeby, Seán Martin Hingston as Mr. Eichelberger, Ken Land as Jesse Vanderhof, and features Cameron Adams, Ashley Amber, Helen Anker, Nathan Balser, Wendi Bergamini, Nikki Renee Daniels, Sarah Jane Everman, Chelsea Krombach, Keith Kuhl, Matt Loehr, Mayumi Miguel, Brian O'Brien, Sarah O'Gleby, Adam Perry, Megan Sikora, Matt Wall, Ryan Watkinson and Kristen Beth Williams.

For more information, or to order tickets, visit online at www.promisespromises.com.

 

Photo Credit: Linda Lenzi