When it comes to Broadway theatre, I’m drawn to the new, the noteworthy and often the ‘not-long-for-this world.’ Revivals of 50 year-old musicals aren’t on my radar.
Two words got me in the theatre last night for a preview performance of How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying:
Daniel Radcliffe
I saw ‘Harry Potter’ make his Broadway debut two years ago in the title role of Equus. My seat was literally on the stage, which made Daniel’s 20+ minute nude scene at the end of the second act a more detailed memory than I would like.
Daniel’s entire performance was brave and brilliant, and I was furious when he wasn’t nominated for a Tony. But he didn’t sing or dance in the play — and hasn’t in any film role to date — so I was a bit worried for him before the show began last night.
There was no need.
Daniel probably could have charmed his way through the entire show like so many film and TV stars have in Broadway shows past. But, as in Equus, he did the work.
Harry can really sing! And director Rob Ashford has turned him into quite the dancer in numbers with jaw-dropping choreography. Even if you don’t give two cents about Daniel Radcliffe or John Larroquette — who is a lot of fun in his Broadway debut, albeit a bit of a fast talker — the show’s clever, clever dance numbers are worth twice the cost of the ticket.
The show is beautiful to look at, too — all art deco in the bright shades of a fruit salad. And while the outdated subject matter is pure 1961, it has some modern references to Broadway, film and television that are unexpected fun.
The show got two standing ovations during the performance and an ear-splitting one at the final curtain, all well-deserved.
Now, let’s just work on those Tonys…
That rascally rabbit
I am amused when Broadway audiences applaud the set at the start of a show…as if the couch needs a boost in self-esteem.
About 20 minutes into the performance last night — as the home of Elwood P. Dowd transforms into the dread psychiatric hospital — a loud clunk was heard. The set shuddered. All action grinded to a halt.
And poor Jim Parsons, who was faux reading a book in the library, scurried away as they dropped the curtain.
The curtain dropped a lot last night; a cable snapped in the set mechanism that couldn’t be quickly repaired. So every time the set changed, the curtain dropped and the lights came up.
Harvey lasted almost three hours.
I intended to review the play today, but it wouldn’t be fair. While I found Jim Parsons’ Dowd utterly charming, the show itself didn’t get a fair shake because of the constant interruptions and expansive running time.
I was literally nodding off at the end. Bnd that wasn’t really Harvey’s fault…or was it?
Darn pooka.
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Posted in Animals, Broadway, Commentary, Entertainment, Humor, Life
Tagged animals, Broadway, Broadway audience, Broadway preview, Broadway review, Broadway set, celebrities, comedy, commentary, Elwood P Dowd, entertainment, Harvey, Harvey the invisible rabbit, Humor, Jim Parsons, life, Manhattan, New York City, pooka, psychiatric hospital, self-esteem, Television, TV