HOW TO SUCCEED Begins Previews Tonight! — Page 2

I think it also started late ^

Right, theatreguy. I've seen productions that have gone 2 hours and 40 minutes (maybe 50 minutes). But 15-25 minutes is a pretty big difference unless they started significantly late. I'm wondering if the dance breaks were particularly long.

For the comments I've read, there were several minutes applause after some of the dance numbers, so I guess that adds to the supposed delay too.
One pic from the stage door: http://twitpic.com/4482hs

Updated On: 2/27/11 at 12:05 AM

We don't really know what the run time is yet. All this talking is based on very little. And it was the first preview, that's what previews are for, to make that kind of adjustments.
Personally, the longer a show is the better, more entertainment time for me.

I don't see anything wrong with a long running time unless the show FEELS too long.
For those of you who have seen it, how was "Brotherhood of Man"? Did they use a new arrangement like the last revival's or keep the old version?

Can someone post the photo that was posted on Twitter of the set. For what its worth... whenever one mentions a particular -- PLEASE POST IT instead of just talk about it. I mean... I always do.

The guy who gave the speech was the choreographer, Rob Ashford.
The show was a bit long, but it was quite entertaining nevertheless.
Daniel was truly brilliant, and so was Rose. The entire cast was top notch.
The audience really enjoyed the show, and so did I.
This is a great production, my only issue is with the show itself. The score is quite forgettable(which I already knew coming in, since I have the Matthew Broderick/Mullally recording)

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Oh god, I needed to pee immediately after that 1st act. LOL!

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I was there. My kids loved it.

I really enjoyed it, but it needs a lot of work (i.e., cutting!).

As Liotte said, Daniel Radcliffe is adorable. Very different take on the role from Broderick and Morse. With a few more performances under his belt, he's going to be fabulous at Finch.

Rose Hemingway is wonderful. She's going to be a big star. Lots of presence and very amusing...in a rather dreary role. She does a lot with the part.

But for me, Christopher Hanke is the scene-stealer. He's hilarious and devious yet charming and endearing. (Also VERY different from the other Bud Frumps.)

Tammy Blanchard is "okay." WAY better than Luba Mason, but no one will ever compare to Maureen Arthur in my book.

Mary Faber is solid, as always, but at some point her character just "disappears." We don't see or hear from her ever again. (ANd I can never have too much Mary Faber!)

Did not care too much for Rob Bartlett in this role, but I much preferred him to John Laroquette, who is dreadful, imo. He misses every opportunity to deliver a line that has always gotten a huge laugh. He can't sing. He can't dance. He has no presence. He sleepwalks through the show. Too bad.

I've seen the movie so many times that the performances are burned into my memory, but I enjoy the book so much that I am generally open-minded to new interpretations...and there are plenty of those here.

The male ensemble is excellent. The women are good, but this is a show about men, really, and they come off much stronger than the silly female roles. (Shout out to Joey Sorge, of Drowsy Chaperone fame!)

I think this is the best thing I've seen Rob Ashford do. Some of the show seems oddly reminiscent of "Promises, Promises," but this is a much better production on many levels.

However, this revival is MUCH too long. The first 20 minutes of the second act needs to be ditched. The first act should end sooner.

I'm tired, so I can't elaborate any more. But we will be going back to see it again! I think it's going to do very well. The audience was crazy into it. I think if it's trimmed (considerably), the critics will be mostly favorable. It's hard to resist Danielle Radcliffe. He's just SO likable!

I recommend this show. It's fun and funny. The movie still rules, as far as I'm concerned, but this version doesn't leave "Coffee Break" out, so that's a point in its favor! (And that number is terrific. I love Ashford's choreography of "Coffee Break"!)

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Did Radcliffe do an American accent? And was it any good?

The show started between 8.10 and 8.15pm by the way.

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I guess those songs work for a musical, but are NOT great songs. My favorite is the New Rochelle song, by the way. But still, it doesn't have a great score like Promises, Promises with songs such as Turkey Lurkey Time, Knowing When To Leave, Whoever You Are I Love You. It's not a musical like Rent or Wicked that are filled with terrific songs for singers. It's an easy score to sing, and although those songs you mentioned are ok, they usually go along with the songs I listed from Promises to make a great musical.

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This is a great score, it's got some wonderful melodies and totally unforgettable lyrics (it DID win the Pulitzer Prize and The Tony after all folks). It is much better music than the music in Wicked and Rent.

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