TO SEE OR NOT TO SEE: How to Succeed and Bengal Tiger
April’s review round-up continues with two Broadway shows that shine a light on the relationship between stars and their fans.
Photo by Ari Mintz.
HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING
Danielle Radcliffe aka Harry Potter hits the Great White Way as a singing/dancing corporate climber in this 50th Anniversary musical revival directed by Rob Ashford.
“That makes Mr. Radcliffe the only reason to see the show, and contrary to what the title suggests, this young actor really, really tries.” New York Times
“Welcome to the wonderful world of musicals, Daniel. We hope you’ll stick with it.” New York Post
“… a fairly exhilarating demonstration of how a well-run musical, like a well-run company, adapts itself to the peculiar talents of its personnel…” New York Magazine
“…director-choreographer Rob Ashford and lead producers Broadway Across America and Craig Zadan/Neil Meron take a clear step forward with this bright and irresistible revival…” Variety
Mizer’s Two Cents: If you like your musicals straight up, no twist, then you’ll enjoy this brisk and freshly scrubbed production of what can be an unexpectedly biting corporate satire. (Did 1960′s theater party ladies get their panties in a twist over a hero that is rewarded for lying and cheating?) I was drawn to the more dangerous aspects flirting around the edges of the production. Utility performer and soap star Michael Park is wonderfully two-faced in the supporting role of Bert Bratt. And what can I say about Tammy Blanchard as bombshell Hedy La Rue? With an open-mouthed, sideways grin and a teetering stance, she gives a fearlessly funny performance that suggests a woman who has the brain power to handle only one thing at a time: walking, talking or thinking. Sly and willing to sacrifice the hard sell on a joke for the sake of committing to her character, Blanchard is endearingly, gloriously odd in a Broadway world that often prizes the safe choice. As for Radcliffe, we’ll get to that after…
