How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

Without question an evening of sheer entertainment all-around.  With much riding on his shoulders, Daniel Radcliffe once again proves himself to be right at home on a stage acting, singing, and dancing with the big-boys and girls of Broadway.

Now, with that said, I will say that the entire show is entertaining - a light, amusing, and occasionally cynical book (Burrows, Weinstock & Gilbert), and a fantastic score (Loesser), carry you from start to finish - always with a smile or a wink and a nod.  I will go further and say that this show and this star are a particularly successful marriage made in heaven.  The show carries Mr. Radcliffe and he in turn delivers and delights as we watch him climb the corporate ladder from the mailroom all the way up to the board of directors at the World Wide Wicket Company.

Joining Mr. Radcliffe (J. Pierrepont Finch) in his climb up said ladder are John Larroquette (Mr. Andrews, the president of the company), Tammy Blanchard (Hedy La Rue, his dizzy girlfriend), the uber-adorable and talented Christopher Hanke (Bud Frump, his arch nemesis at the company),  and Ellen Harvey (Miss Jones, secretary to Mr. Andrews) and a Broadway debut for Rose Hemmingway (Rosemary Pilkington, Fitch's girlfriend).  You also just might recognize a familiar yet invisible voice echoing throughout the theatre - Anderson Cooper (the narrator)!  A tremendously energetic and talented supporting cast, chorus, and dance team delightfully round out the entire troupe!  Colorful costumes, brilliant lighting effects, and superbly complex sets never disappoint.  Rob Ashford's brilliant directorial and choreographicial stamp is all over this one.

Merely two weeks into previews and this one is already blowing the roof off the house!  Get your tickets before the location of this secret treasure gets out!

American Idiot

It's loud, irreverent, but not pointless.  A story of teenage angst is told thru the music.  Conceived in the Bush era this show is both artistic and uncomfortable at the same time.  John Gallagher, Jr., Stark Sands and Michael Esper lead the cast in a 90 minute multi-media, alcohol, drug, and profanity laced tour de force.

Green Day may not be your favorite band and watching a group of kids come of age in different, yet predictable ways may not be the ideal night in theatre - but the "shock and awe" on stage might just win you over.   Will it last?  I think at least as long as Spring Awakening.  Longer?  Not sure.

Slut - A Musical

Dear Andy Karl - -

You're talented, young, charming, oh-so-good-looking (hmmmm, i wonder why you got the lead role in a new musical entitled "Slut"??). But the primary question I have for you is "Why did you leave the smash-hit, Alter Boyz", to take it"?!

If you still have a chance - RUN BACK! Heck -go on the national tour!!

Now, i'm not saying it wasn't fun fanning myself with the "playbill" watching the sweat glisten all over that uber-sexy body (the tattoos make it even more so) for two hours (the theater's AC was on strike, just in time for first preview nite!).


Over at American Theater of Actors (read - low budget) I was slightly entertained, but left wondering why you took what is clearly a step down to some "B" material. Ok, you've got some talented cast-mates and it is the lead after all, but c'mon - the plot is a farce, the jokes, stale, and the humor, sort of "high school-ish". There were some bright spots, yes. I must admit i chuckled and hooted a few times. But just a few. But I digress... (Did I mention, you looked good with your shirt off??).

Yours truly,
Doug Marino ( a fan truly thankful i only paid TDF rates to see you sweat)