Synopsis

The film opens with people arriving for what appears to be a festive party.  It is really a memorial service for the recently deceased Teddy (Theodora) Bennington Gothall.  But her will specified that people must celebrate her death as a party with songs and good fun while she lies dead in the casket. 
           

During her life, she thrived on adventure and unconventional behavior.  Her husband, Alfred, stayed deeply in love with her but squandered their fortune on her whims and travels.  Her closest friends (actually enemies to each other) soon discover their mutual love for Teddy in a scene that shocks and surprises.  They sing to the departed Teddy and the crowd.  Alfred gives a eulogy.  And there is a surprise ending.
           

Cast

Frances Sternhagen, actress of films and Broadway fame, plays Teddy’s mother, Mrs. Barrington.  Nancy Allen, the world’s most recorded harpist, appears at the end of Oh, Promise Me, as a late arrival.  The principal characters are Alfred (Bob Adrian), Cecilia (Nadine Willing), Danny (Allan Zeller), and Susannah (Carolyn Marble).  Sachi Parker is the Actress found and hired by the late Teddy from an ad in Craig’s List.  All principal characters are professional actors with stage and screen credits, most appearing through the courtesy of the Screen Actors Guild.

Bios

            Rosemary Foley is an award-winning playwright and former actress and director.  She has written over 80 plays, several short stories and novels.  Many of her works are comedic and may be traced to her early beginnings in the theater of Second City in Chicago.  She is a member of the Theatre Artists Workshop, Norwalk, Connecticut where her original play, Oh, Promise Me, was developed, got a staged reading, but was not produced.

            Frances Sternhagen’s career spans several decades and includes several Tony and Obie awards.  She appeared on Broadway in Equus and On Golden Pond.  Her best-known role was the lead in the Pulitzer Prize Driving Miss Daisy. Her filmography and TV appearances are too many to mention.

            Nancy Allen is Principal Harpist with the New York Philharmonic and heads the harp departments at Yale and Julliard, as well as conducting summer concerts in Aspen and San Diego.   She has won many awards and performs internationally.
           
            Bob Adrian played the lead in Terry Gillian’s film “Twelve Monkeys and other films. His TV credits include “The War for China’s Fate.”  He was seen on off-Broadway and regional stages and European tours of “West Side Story.”

            Carolyn Marble created the role of Baby on Broadway in “Raggedy Ann.”  Her acting career has taken her to Europe and the Middle East in touring companies. She was Kate in “Taming of the Shrew,” Joan in “The Lark,” and many other plays.

            Sachi Parker’s feature films include “Peggy Sue Got Married,” “Back to the Future,” and “About Last Night.” Her TV credits and theatrical performances are many.  She received the Kurosawa award for bridging cultural differences between Japan and the U.S.

            Nadine Willig has acted off-Broadway and in regional theaters and is a founding member of a new comedy ensemble called “Momoirs.”  Her most recent film, “Signs of Life,” is due for release this year.

            Allan Zeller  has worked in regional and international theater for two decades, as well as TV, film and radio projects. He is a member of the Theatre Artists Workshop, Norwalk, Connecticut, and holds an MFS in Acting.

            Chazz Menendez  is an actor, stunt performer, director, and producer. He has been in TV, film, and commercials. He has his own production company Up Against The Wall Productions which has done work for some of the biggest companies such as AOL, Benchmark Press, and HBO.

            Tom Foley  produced the movie Oh, Promise Me and also edited the film (with the help of Chazz Menendez). Tom did most of the music (everything except for one song). Tom Foley plays seven instruments, has written and produced music for bands, children's books, film, and commercials. Tom is currently working on a new album (CD) due sometime in early 2011.