How To Succeed In 2011
How To Succeed In 2011We can now move a show from the "Definitely Maybe" column over to the "Confirmed" side among Broadway shows planned for the 2010-11 Theatrical Season.
Yesterday, the producers of the new revival of How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying announced that the musical would begin previews at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on February 26 and open March 27. As far away as those dates are, tickets will go on sale today to American Express cardholders.
Rob Ashford will direct and choreograph this second Broadway revival of Frank Loesser's nearly 49 year old tuner. This production is particularly noteworthy because Daniel Radcliffe will make his Main Stem musical debut.
The original 1961 musical not only earned Loesser and Abe Burrows (book) the 1962 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, but also that year's Tony Award for Best Musical. Additional How To Succeed did just that by earning six other Tonys including for Robert Morse (Best Actor) as J. Pierrepont Finch and Charles Nelson Reilly (Best Featured Actor) as Bud Frump. The illustrious cast also featured Rudy Vallee and very young Donna McKechnie in her Broadway debut. The production closed at the 46th Street Theatre (later renamed the Richard Rodgers Theatre) on March 6, 1965, after 1,417 performances.
Just over 30 years later, on March 23, 1995, the very first Great White Way revival would open at the same, albeit renamed, theatre as the original. Matthew Broderick, who was born six months into the original production's run, would win the show's sole Tony for his portrayal of Finch. Other notable castmembers included Megan Mullally, Victoria Clark and Lillias White. That production would last 548 performances before closing on July 14, 1996.
When Ashford's latest arrival opens nearly 15 years to the day after the last revival did, will its J. Pierrepont Finch make it three for three in winning a Tony for that role? If Radcliffe can sing and dance, he may just be in it to win.
Talk about succeeding on Broadway, but I'll bet no one will accuse him of not trying.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
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Labels: Broadway, Daniel Radcliffe, First Word On New Show, Frank Loesser, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, Musical, Revival, Rob Ashford
posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Tuesday, July 13, 2010
4 Comments:
Why do they assume the country is in the mood for another show about business? Is it?
Daniel Radcliffe should have been nominated for a Tony for Equus. He can definitely act, I hope he can also sing and dance.
NY Theater, It could be because of exactly the way the show zings business that they think we might be in the mood for this show. Plus, in 2011, the show turns 50.
Linda, I think you're right. He deserved a nomination for Equus
I liked Daniel Radcliffe's performance in Equus, too. The transition from child to adult performer can be a tough one. And I have to hand it to him for stretching himself as an actor, for tackling stage roles. I just hope David Hyde Pierce gets on board for this one, too!
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