How To Succeed on the TODAY SHOW!

[jovie27]

Posted: 4/22/11 at 2:00pm

I am a big fan of this show! I just finished watching the clip on the Today Show. Daniel and John did a fine job as well as the ensemble men. The dance breaks were great, but hated the number overall. This is not an 11 O'clock number like it should be...Rob Bartlett can no longer sing anymore...sounds too strained out and OMG, I wanted Lillas White to jump in and sing...now, she nailed it in the Des MacAnuff revival...that was a very strong production and a number to get excited about...this one just left me going..."that's it?".

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/22/11 at 2:02pm

I actually thought it was pretty thrilling in person.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 4/22/11 at 2:04pm

While I enjoyed the Today show performance, seeing it in person is COMPLETELY different. It was thrilling to watch live. Rob Bartlett sounds fine live, much better in 'The Company Way' then here.

I actually love what Ellen Harvey does at the end, I was almost in tears from laughing in the theatre.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 4/22/11 at 2:06pm

The number is a huge showstopper live, and always get the loudest applause of the night.

[jovie27]

Posted: 4/22/11 at 2:07pm

I love the physical elements that Ellen does at the end too...but what was the point of it? For some reason, each action that the mid- '90s revival had, led to each person doing and singing with a purpose, this just was an overall Visual feast than to move the story along. This is just based on this clip. If I see the show live (which I will not be able to sadly) then I might have a different opinion...but this just looked very, very weak to me overall and boring.

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/22/11 at 2:18pm

The crowd went nuts from the middle to the end of the number the night I saw it.

[broadwaydevil]

Posted: 4/22/11 at 2:28pm

Here's the video for those who didn't see it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C8lu-SsGwc
I don't know if it was the sound system or what, but it didn't sound great. I can't really put my finger on it, something just seemed off. It was much better when I saw it live.

[walkedthroughmany]

Posted: 4/22/11 at 2:48pm

Judging this revival on a Today show performance is like judging Catherine Zeta-Jones in Night Music based on her Tony performance. There simply is no comparison.

[Tom1071]

Posted: 4/22/11 at 3:10pm

All you could hear at the end was Ellen Harvey. It was actually quite funny.

As far as the sound, the sound designs for Broadway shows are designed for live performance in Broadway houses and not for television. Often times, when they rehearse for television the mixers have one shot (one run through) to get it right. That's why the majority live performances at the Tony's always sound a wreck. The mediums aren't that easily interchangeable.
Updated On: 4/22/11 at 03:10 PM

[broadwaydevil]

Posted: 4/22/11 at 3:19pm

Makes sense - the ending was quite funny!

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 4/22/11 at 3:55pm

"Judging this revival on a Today show performance..."

Who's judging the show? The original poster was commenting on the number as offered for the show which they are certainly entitled to do, especially since the producers of the show have chosen the number to represent the show and to lure butts in the seats. As the poster stated, many people who live outside of NYC don't get to see these shows and this is the only way they get a taste.
A good point was made that although this is a big splashy number it does move the plot along a bit, it's another step up the ladder for Finch who is using his cloyness and charm to get to the straitlaced Jones and win over more converts to his side and therefore she should be more involved.
But Ashford. once again, ignores the book and brings the dancers out again to gyrate and mock ballet(?). The dancers are amazing and do sell the number and it has a good build, but there is more to it than that.
Have they added the dance break for this production or is it in the original score?
(I did the show too many years ago for my addled brain to remeber)
Updated On: 4/22/11 at 03:55 PM

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 4/22/11 at 4:57pm

I didn't even think it was that good of a production, but this number was truly phenomenal live.

[walkedthroughmany]

Posted: 4/22/11 at 5:01pm

I didn't say they weren't entitled to judge the show; I just said that judging the show based on this stand-alone filmed-for-TV number is just like judging another show based on its stand-alone filmed-for-TV number. I wasn't attacking anyone.

[aasjb4ever]

Posted: 4/22/11 at 5:07pm

I saw the production on Wednesday, and this song got applause from the middle to the end, as uncageg pointed out. Definition of a showstopper.

[Taryn]

Posted: 4/23/11 at 2:27am

I have absolutely no dance training, but to my ignorant eye, it looks like Daniel's actually got more dance inclination than vocal. Anyone with more experience in both areas care to comment?

[choitoy]

Posted: 4/23/11 at 3:54am

I'm still not fond of the overly fussy and busy choreography since I saw the preview clips posted earlier, but finally seeing a whole number, there were some parts of the choreography I liked. All of the choreography before the end of the "line dance" sequence in the beginning was just strange though. I think I'll rewatch the last revival's Tony Performance again just to clear my mind.

On a side note, who is the guy on Daniel's left at the one minute mark (the one in the lighter grey suit without the glasses). He's hot

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 4/23/11 at 7:30am

Daniel is an amazing young man, so talented. He will always be remembered for and called "Harry Potter," but between this and his stellar turn in EQUUS, he will be known as Daniel Radcliff. Such varied characters performed brilliantly.

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 4/23/11 at 7:56am

Choitoy, the guy you're referring to is Charlie Williams. He made his Broadway debut in 'Memphis,' and he's not only one of the topnotch dancers in 'How to Succeed,' but one of the show's assistant choreographers. Terrifically talented guy, and a real sweetheart.

AfterElton.com: Charlie Williams Updated On: 4/23/11 at 07:56 AM

[[e-mail]]

Posted: 4/23/11 at 2:31pm

I enjoyed watching the Today show performance but it just isn't the same as seeing it live. This number is truly spectacular and so much fun when it is live on stage!

I love Charlie Williams and Justin Keyes they are so adorable!!

[sally1112]

Posted: 4/23/11 at 2:39pm

I saw the show- loved it all, but this scene is the highlight.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 4/23/11 at 4:26pm

No one seems to mention that Frank Loesser wrote one hell of a song that rarely fails to stop the show.