Triple Turkey

I've noted before that when I see Camp's on TV, I'll sometimes check in around the 30 minute mark and watch their version of "Turkey Lurkey Time."



Music by Burt Bacharach, (idiotic) words by Hal David, it's the last number before the act one curtain of Promises, Promises. The show, with a book by Neil Simon based on Billy Wilder's The Apartment, was a huge hit in the late 60s. I'm surprised there's never been a full-blown Broadway revival. Haven't read the script in a long time--is it dated?

Promises, Promises is Bacharach's only original score for Broadway. It's got some great songs, including "I'll Never Fall In Love Again," "Knowing When To Leave" and the title number. But most of the songs were small and simple--they needed a showstopper. Michael Bennett, using his favorite dancer, Donna McKechnie, provided one with "Turkey Lurkey." They took all those go-go steps they'd learned on Hullabaloo and did them one better.

I didn't know the original Tony telecast from 40 years ago was available, and has preserved (as much as old video of a live event can) for posterity the original cast doing the number. You'll see the version from Camp is a pretty close copy.



Just for good measure, here's the original Broadway cast recording, which really let's you hear the ridiculous lyric. It's also a fascinating montage.



PS At the risk of ruining my title, here are some theatre majors from my alma mater doing original choreography, using the soundtrack from Camp.



Most of the comments were positive, but I enjoyed this grouchy note:

Horrible mess! Michael Bennett is rolling over in his grave right now -- a cheesy 'modern dance' routine by some co-ed U of M dance troupe. Oy! It's depressing to watch anyone else's attempt at this famous dance number -- at least Jerry Mitchell was wise to basically use all of Michael Bennett's original choreography for that lame CAMP film. Some things are sacred and Michael Bennett's original "Turkey Lurkey Time" dance number is one of them. You don't mess with it. Period.

I hope no one gets the impression I'm obsessed with this number. Here's what a guy who's obsessed with it looks like: