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 And while the outdated subject matter is pure 1961, it has some modern references to Broadway, film and television that are unexpected fun.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…
Shining stars
The lights on Broadway are a bit darker today…
…and not just because it’s Monday.
Hugh Jackman, Daniel Radcliffe and John Larroquette all completed their highly successful runs in Hugh Jackman: Back on Broadway and How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying respectively.
Living down the street, I was fortunate to see both shows multiple times. They deserved all the critical and audience acclaim that was heaped upon them (much by me right here on The Egg).
While he earned over $14.6 million dollars during his 10-week run at the Broadhurst — setting records for that theatre alone — he also raised a record $1.8 million for the charity Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
I saw him raise $60,000 in one evening alone, auctioning simple meet-and-greets after the show.
The 2012 Broadway season has a hard act to follow!
→ 1 Comment
Posted in Broadway, Celebrities, Commentary, Entertainment, Life, New Years
Tagged audience acclaim, Broadhurst theater, Broadway, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS., Broadway run, celebrities, commentary, critical acclaim, Daniel Radcliffe, entertainment, Great White Way, How to Succeed Without Really Trying, Hugh Jackman, Hugh Jackman: Back on Broadway, John Larroquette, life, Manhattan, New York City