SnitchSeeker.com - Review: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

http://www.snitchseeker.com/gallery/...anradh2s-2.jpg

Fans of the Harry Potter films may recall that Daniel Radcliffe isn't the best of dancers - the Yule Ball from Goblet of Fire comes to mind, where his Harry fumbled and stumbled across Hogwarts' Great Hall dance floor. The same bad moves were seen again in Deathly Hallows: Part I, where Radcliffe and costar Emma Watson awkwardly danced to comfort one another. While Radcliffe himself admitted that he was not a good dancer, rest assured of one fact.

Daniel Radcliffe can now dance with the best of them. There's no doubt that director Rob Ashford is a huge credit to that.

Months of training proved successful, because Radcliffe's J Pierrepont Finch in the Broadway revival of Ashford's How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying not only keeps up with his dance veteran costars, but leads the way in some heart-stopping and exhilarating dance numbers.

How to Succeed follows Finch's climb up the corporate ladder in the World Wide Wicket Company, with the aid of his handy How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying guidebook (narrated by Anderson Cooper). The musical begins as Finch pulls himself out from the orchestra pit and up a rope, which holds him steady as he washes windows and reads his book. The symbolism of Finch's ascension was not lost, especially given the final sequence, where Bud Frump, Finch's nemesis, is shown fumbling in a mess of ropes as he falls from the 'sky', now the window washer himself.

The two breakout performances were by far Radcliffe's and Christopher J Hanke, who played WWW's boss J.B. Biggley's nephew, Bud Frump. The two hit their comedic cues with ease and a pure naturalness that had the audience laughing along with them, rather than at them, as they tricked their ways into trying to land top positions at the company. Frump was whiny, petulant and perpetually employed, no matter how little work he did, using his familial connections to get himself out of trouble; Finch was a sneaky brown-noser who knew exactly what to say, and to whom, thanks to his trusty book, in order to further be promoted. The pair never missed a beat, and it was especially fun to watch the two try to out-do each other.

The dance numbers are phenomenal, where Radcliffe and on-stage costar Rose Hemingway lead the cast of 29, synchronising with each other with grace and not necessarily ease, as it was obvious that the actors were out of breath and exhausted after doing such numbers as 'Brotherhood of Man' and 'Grand Old Ivy'. Nevertheless, the actors' love of their craft, including difficult choreographed numbers, was evident on their shining, beaming faces after each number was completed to the satisfaction of both cast, crew and audience.

And let it be known that while Radcliffe is English-born, he can pull off a fairly believable American accent, further accentuated in his song numbers. He hit his notes, for the most part, though there were minor cracks in between. It need not matter, as he will have months to further work and practise on the songs to perfect them.

The musical also costars Hemingway as Finch's on-stage love interest Rosemary Pilkington, who came off as a slightly obsessive and clingy girlfriend, though admittedly, given the time frame of the play, perhaps secretaries in the work force were perceived that way. John Larroquette's Biggley was hilarious and serious when he needed to be, and played the intimidating boss and insecure boyfriend exceptionally.

For fans of Radcliffe, How to Succeed is a treat for the eyes and ears, because it is obvious that he gives it all - his heart and soul into his performance. There are a few scenes that drag a bit, and songs that last longer than they need to, but the overall production is one to watch.

SnitchSeeker's exclusive interview with Daniel Radcliffe on How to Succeed can be read here. Tickets for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, which is now open, can be ordered at Broadway.com. For special fan exclusives and discount tickets, head to the official fan page for the musical.