HOW TO SUCCEED Begins Previews Tonight!- Page 6

[Broadway_Boy]

Posted: 3/1/11 at 12:54am

Ok, so I will say Daniel Radcliffe is extremely loveable. But does anyone else agree with me that musical theatre isn't his strong suit? He can't really sing. His american accent was awful. And flawless dancing? Really? His dancing was pretty great, but next to the ensemble of professional Broadway dancers how can anyone possibly say it was flawless? I think the show is completely mis-cast, with the exception of Rose Hemmingway. Also, IMO Promises, Promises was better in every way. Yes, it's only the second preview, and I will give it another chance after it opens, but just really did not think there were any redeemable qualities as of yet.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 3/1/11 at 12:59am

Wait, huh? I didn't detect one bit of an accent from him and would never have guessed he was Brittish if I hadn't known. As for his singing, I thought he was great, MUCH better than I had anticipated.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 3/1/11 at 1:10am

"I was very surprised that the mezz was only maybe 70% full. For some reason I thought this was selling like hot cakes. I'm sure once word gets out just how good Radcliffe is, business will pick up."

I would venture that tonight being Monday might account for the lower attendance. Monday night is just not the best seller, simply because so many people probably just assume that it will be the dark night and the tourists aren't very much of a presence either.

"I guess the Harry Potter seriousness and the bleakness of Equus never really let him show his playful side, but he certainly is a big charmer here."

Check out his episode of Extras. There was no doubt after seeing that just how playful and charming he could be.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/1/11 at 1:50am

I saw it tonight. It's an uneven production, but it's certainly enjoyable. It does have one huge asset to its advantage and that is Daniel Radcliffe who is simply sensational. What he lacks in vocal strength he more than makes up for in a ridiculous amount of charm, charisma, and gusto. He is truly excellent. I didn't love him in EQUUS but here he has found his niche. What a great performance. If he wasn't in the show, I'd have a hard time recommending it.

The choreography is excellent (Rob Ashford is a genius), the sets are nice but kinda clutter the stage, making it seem very small at times, and the cast is still trying to find the laughs. But I did enjoy myself. It is, however, VERY long, as mentioned before.

[mak136]

Posted: 3/1/11 at 10:02am

Not sure how many rush tickets there are. But based on partial view sightlines there's probably quite a bit, figuring 1-2 per side Orch section...didn't check the view further back.

The partical view is because you're seated underneath the box...and then there's the speakers also blocking.

I guess for Hair it didn't matter there because of the open non-changing set.

By 10AM I say there were 60 people in line. And based on reports, the folks at the end didn't get any.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/1/11 at 1:02pm

I got my student rush ticket at around 1PM yesterday. And from the looks of it, there were still rush seats to spare (four empty seats directly in front of me, three behind me) The guy at the box office said the rain scared people away.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/1/11 at 2:54pm

It should also be noted that the show jolts to exuberant, shamelessly joyful life during Brotherhood of Man. What a phenomenal staging of a phenomenal song. It brought the house down.

And I also really liked that there weren't individual bows at the end.

[micka30]

Posted: 3/1/11 at 6:06pm

I find it funny that some people seem to think Harry Potter fans are... kids. This is 2011, not 1997...
Of course there are younger fans, but most of the fandom are certainly not kids.
You have to realize this franchise have been going on since more than a decade ago. The ones who were kids when the first books and films came out are now in there twenties and thirties. And the ones who were older, now they are parents!
There are fans of all ages, my grandmother is one of them!
The last films are not even for younger kids to watch.

I'm not an expert, haven't read the books, but it's surprises me some people haven't realized or don't want to realize about this.

One of the great things about Mr. Radcliffe being so passionate about theater is how for a lot of people this is going to be their first musical, and not necessarily because of being young, for older people too. I think that's something good for everyone.
It also helps this is a much more familiar show than Equus, and a great one to be introduced to musicals. For what I've read people are really enjoying it, highlighting how fun it is.

I'm hoping to see it soon too. And yes I'm going to take my grandmother, she actually saw the first production! And knew some of the people who worked in it... crazy.
She is very excited how after all these years she is going to see it again: with her grandchildren!
I know you don't care, but I thought I'd share the anecdote.

Updated On: 3/1/11 at 06:06 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 3/1/11 at 6:10pm

Well...the fans who sat near us last night were...late teens and...annoying as hell.

[Mamie]

Posted: 3/1/11 at 9:37pm

Most of Harry Potter's fans may not be kids but most of the people crowding that theatre on Saturday night definitelywere. Teenage girls for the most part, carrying lots of HP things in the hopes of getting Daniel's autograph. A few of them got up the nerve to ask Alan Rickman for his autograph during the matinee and he graciously accommodated them. I don't know if they ever got Harry's signature or not.

[marknyc]

Posted: 3/2/11 at 1:52am

Saw it tonight (Tuesday) when a friend offered me a freebie. Funny that I was sitting first row center of the mezzanine, so when Daniel was flown up for the first number, he was even with me and sang much of it looking directly into my eyes! (Apparently the complex device used earlier has been replace by two simple wires that don't even make him look like a window washer.)

As others have said in this thread, he can sing and dance, but...

HE BRINGS NOTHING TO THE ROLE.

J. Pierrepont Finch is a part that relies entirely on an actor creating a quirky character, since there's little in his lines that is inherently funny. It's all in the delivery. Robert Morse played it pixieish, Matthew Broderick played it odd and fey, but Daniel plays it...flat. I couldn't believe that in the long pauses of "I Believe In You" he did NOTHING! No business, no schtick, no funny looks in the mirror, zip. He just sat there during those long pauses, which Robert and Matthew milked for everything they could.

The rest of the cast is equally weak. John Larroquette phones it in, and Chris Hanke as Bud Frump? In the role that made Charles Nelson Reilly famous? How can you cast a Frump that is better looking and hunkier than Finch? He's supposed to be a geeky idiot! Tammy Blanchard was okay, but pretty much did your standard bimbo.

And the choreography never worked in service of the show. It was there to show itself off, whether or not that distracted from the scene. The opening is a frantic dance number, completely unrelated to the busy office the scene is meant to introduce. "The Company Way" gave Daniel and Rob Bartlett so much business that there was no time for them to have fun with the song itself.

Funny lines were cut or thrown away. In "A Secretary Is Not A Toy," the gem, "Her pad is to write in and not spend the night in" is sung by all the women, making it difficult to understand and losing one of the wittiest jokes of the song.

I went back and watched sections of the Matthew Broderick version, and it's clear that Des McAnuff understood the show far better than Rob Ashford.

When your lead is missing that little something extra that is needed, it's the director's job to say, "You've got to find something in this role. You've got to make it your own." Radcliffe just seemed to be proud that he had memorized all his lines, learned all the dances, and was able to stay on pitch. But creating a unique, quirky oddball like J. Pierrepont Finch requires much more than that, and it seemed to be beyond his capabilities.

Of course, the show will run as long as he is in it - the Harry Potter fans were screaming with delight throughout the entire show.


Updated On: 3/2/11 at 01:52 AM

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/2/11 at 8:25am

I do agree that Radcliffe's weakest moment in the show, musically and acting-wise, is I Believe In You, which I was very excited to see him perform. He doesn't do much at all with the song.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/6/11 at 12:20am

Saw this tonight and had a wonderful time. Radcliffe far exceeded my expectations. What a great performance he's giving! He's full of charm, charisma, and real star quality. Just an absolutely delightful performance.

Ashford made up for his disastrous staging of Turkey Lurkey Time with his staging of Grand Old Ivy and Brotherhood of Man. Both were show-stoppers.

The rest of the cast is all solid, and I really enjoyed Christopher Hanke's brattier approach to Frump.

The audience ate it up tonight, and the children were all very well-behaved. However, the adults behind us were irritating throughout, referring to Radcliffe repeatedly as "Harry Potter" and casting spells throughout the show. I kid you not. During random moments in the show, one of them would whisper, "Expelliarmus!" really loudly. One of the women began to sing along during I Believe in You.

Two house keeping items...the show ran 2 hours and 45 minutes tonight. I was on the street at 10:47. Also, they've staged a curtain call.

[willep]

Posted: 3/6/11 at 12:27am

I saw the matinee today and have to agree with adamgreer. Radcliffe is doing a wonderful job, I was particularly amazed by his dancing (especially after having seen Deathly Hallows pt. 1....haha).

I will add that I loved John Larroquette. Grand Old Ivy with the two of them was just delightful. And the Brotherhood of Man as well as The Company Way were other highlights for me. The choreography all around was wonderful. It's a solid cast in a solid production. And yeah, as adamgreer mentioned, they have staged a curtain call.

And John Stamos, Kathleen Turner, and Dan's parents were at this evening's performance. Updated On: 3/6/11 at 12:27 AM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/6/11 at 5:28am

I don't consider myself a Daniel Radcliffe fan per se. I did adore him in Equus (one of my all time favorite plays, btw) and was truly suprised by that. That being said, I'm thrilled to hear so many lovely things about both he and the production -- I'll be seeing it twice next month: once with my students and then again with my own kids only two weeks later. (I was dreading having to sit through something TWICE I didn't like!)

[zerose]

Posted: 3/6/11 at 10:05am

On Thursday, the show started at 8:01 and curtain call ended at 10:46.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/6/11 at 10:07am

Yeah, I forgot to mention how impressed I was by Radcliffe's dancing.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 3/6/11 at 11:57am

^ THAT'S what I found most impressive. I assumed he could carry a tune (he was a wonderful singer actuallly!) but the dancing is what I was worried about. I thought we'd have another incident like Christina Applegate in Sweet Charity. While I loved her in the part, girl couldn't dance, and it was distracting. But he held his own during Brotherhood of Man and led the entire ensemble.

[uncageg]

Posted: 3/6/11 at 12:37pm

I am seeing it on Tuesday evening. I don't care for the score but I hope like with other shows i will like the score better while seeing and hearing it live. Can't wait to see Radcliffe.

[americanboy99]

Posted: 3/6/11 at 6:12pm

Saw it last night. I enjoyed it. Not one of my favorites. Ashford is a great choreographer but, like his work on PROMISES PROMISES, he brings nothing new to the table directing/vision-wise. There were moments that seemed almost directed lifted from PROMISES.

Radcliffe is excellent- charming, lovable, cute and fun. He carries the show with ease most of the time and feels at home in the role. A Tony nomination seems almost inevitable.

Hanke is fine, but seems awfully miscast. He's hamming it up all her can, but it's clear Ashford has given him no sense of direction. I feel as though Ashford hasn't quite figured out how to properly direct an actor (Chenoweth moping around this summer? Blanchard- I'll get to it...?)

Rose Hemingway is quite good. She's got a great voice and a very amiable stage presence. She's not doing much in terms of creating a real character, but she's quite heartwarming all the same. "Happy to Keep His Dinner Warm" is delightful- a highlight for sure.

Larroquette is great, but nothing spectacular. I can see him scoring a featured actor Tony nod. It's a very simple, natural performance. "Grand Old Ivy" is fabulous- his best work and some of Ashford's best work. The showstopper of the first act, which drags on for quite a long time.

The dud in this production is no doubt Tammy Blanchard. She's 100%, completely ripping-off Jennifer Coolidge's characterization of Paulette in 'Legally Blonde.' It's really uncanny how similar her voice and other characteristics seem to be. This approach, though a bit cheap, may work if Blanchard was scoring the laughs and appropriately selling the siren she's meant to be. This role SCREAMS for a different actress- Jane Krakowski, anyone?

The costumes are lovely, though the female "Paris Original" dress are a hot-and-not-functional mess.

The choreography is uniformly quite good. It is, however, missing that real spark that choreography can often pop into the show. The numbers merely simmer. The opening number (for the most part), "Old Ivy" and "Brotherhood of Man" are the definite highlights and the only time the show's choreography REALLY SPARKLES.

Ashford needs to call an emergency rehearsal with those ensemble girls in "Cinderella Darling" because some of those taps were extremely sloppy.

It's a nice show. I certainly enjoyed it. It's much better than PROMISES PROMISES, though not quite as good as it could have been. I sure do hope Blanchard is given some solid, constructive direction before opening night.

[CockeyedOptimist2]

Posted: 3/6/11 at 7:54pm

I agree 100% with you, americanboy99. Thanks for your detailed review and for expressing my thoughts much better than I could have!

[marknyc]

Posted: 3/8/11 at 3:48pm

"Radcliffe is excellent- charming, lovable, cute and fun. He carries the show with ease most of the time and feels at home in the role. A Tony nomination seems almost inevitable."

You really thought so? Yes, he can sing and dance, but there was nothing there. He didn't have any fun with the role. He just did it - no character stuff, no quirkiness - just a straight read.

[americanboy99]

Posted: 3/8/11 at 4:34pm

marknyc- Usually I would find that problematic, but I felt that the straight man he presented somehow really worked. He was something solid for us to latch onto. He wasn't saddled with a nerdy character to play the whole time. He was just very simple and normal. I found it somehow very refreshing.

[micka30]

Posted: 3/8/11 at 6:19pm

I finally saw it and first things first: it was one of the funnest theater experiences I've ever had! THIS is what a musical should be like! I left the theater with a smile that lasted even next day.
Now I can argue little details, but the whole experience was great and I'm hoping to see it again soon.

I have to say I don't agree with those who said Radcliffe doesn't add to the character, he plays it real (not like a cartoon, which personally is what I've always disliked about the movie), and he is utterly charming! That's adding to the role. And since he is younger than the actors who previously played the role I think it's the perfect approach.

It's so clear that he is having fun, it's that energy what carries the whole show, and even helps the rest of the cast in some of "weak" moments.

About 'I believe in you', he just singing it in a different way, and to me it makes more sense than previews interpretations. Like Radcliffe said in an interview, if the character would believe in himself, there would be no point for him to sing that song, so he performs it in a way that he is telling it to himself, while in previous interpretations they did it like they already believed. That's one of the different things he brings to the role, and if you pay attention to his voice and face you'll see how the character is encouraging himself little by little.
I also really like how he starts singing it low and soft, and as Finch starts beliving in himself he sings louder and stronger.

I don't agree with those who compare it with 'Promises, Promises', although I see most haven't seen this one yet. H2S does bring a whole new feeling. The fact that most of the cast is younger makes it fresh and in my opinion more fun. And it even makes more sense, because since they are younger it's more realistic they would have so much new ambitions.
But I think it's Radcliffe's energy and Ashford's choreographies that make the big difference between what it is a very enjoyable show and what was easyly forgettable.

I'm a little disappointed with some of the cast though, like Larroquete. I can see why he was cast, the man is funny, but I think he could do so much more with the character, and so could others.

With the exception of Hemingway who is lovely and perfect for the role. Radcliffe and her have good chemistry which was to be honest a surprise.

Ashford's choreogaphy is probably his best yet, and one of the things I most enjoyed! And sorry but I have to admit I'm still surprised Radcliffe dances so well, I just wouldn't have imagined it.


We were talking about the audience before, yes there are many teens at the stage door (people of all ages actually), but most people in the audience were over 20.
And I don't think it's good to generalize, just because someone is young it doesn't mean they are all going to be annoying. There are plenty of annoying adults.
For the comments I read after the first previews, teens were not the only ones asking Rickman for an autograph.

It's getting a little repetitive, people trying to undermine Radcliffe's work saying the audience will all be teens, or calling him Potter... from my point of view the childish thing is to do THAT kind of thing.

I guess I tend to defend the younger audience because I think it's something good they start seeing some musicals or plays. Much better than what most of them usually see and listen to... For people who love musicals it seems kind of hypocritical to criticize it.

Anyway, and even if it didn't feel like it, it was still a preview, so I'm sure it'll even further improve.



Updated On: 3/8/11 at 06:19 PM

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/8/11 at 7:49pm

It's getting a little repetitive, people trying to undermine Radcliffe's work saying the audience will all be teens, or calling him Potter... from my point of view the childish thing is to do THAT kind of thing.

The night I went, the only people muttering anything Potter related were 4 obnoxious grown adults sitting behind us. The children and teens were very well behaved.