How to Succeed in Business WIthout Really Trying

      How to apply for a job? How to advance from the mail room? How to look cute in a three button suit? These important questions and more are being pondered and answered over at The Al Hershfield theater where Daniel Radcliffe and John Larauquette are starring in a revival of Frank Loessers perennial classic 60's musical.

     This show has been around for decades, but if you are not familiar, it concerns a young up and comer J. Pierpont Finch, (thats F-I-N-C-H Finch) and his meteoric if problematic  rise to the top of the World Wide Wicket Company. Along the way comedy, music, and sex ensue, and a good time is had by all.

    The score to How to succeed is filled with golden eggs. Right from the opening notes of the overture your smile starts beaming because you know that you're in for a grand old time at the theater. Rob Ashford has smartly directed the piece, though he has definitely over choreographed it. Most of the funny comic numbers have been turned into dance numbers. Most of it works, and the show Succeeds, over all.

      Daniel Radcliffe is absolutely charming as Finch. His singing voice is nothing to swoon over, but he adequately sings the score. His comic timing is decent though admittedly not perfect. In the end, he is so damn adorable you can't help but root for him. Rose Hemingway sings beautifully as Rosemary, however, her characterization is misdirected in my opinion.

    John Larauquette as J.P. Bigley is ridiculously funny. His performance is genuine and realistic, which is what drives the comedy. Also, he is not afraid to be a clown. Tammy Blanchard is giving an laugh out loud performance as Hedy Larue. She isn't a singer, but it doesn't matter for this role. All the other main actors were out the night I saw this, and I did not enjoy any of the understudies performances so I'm not going to comment on them.

    Overall it's a fantastic production, and if you're in town and have are looking for something everyone in your party will enjoy, bring them to How to Succeed. Everyone will thoroughly enjoy themselves!