Henrick Vartanian
“Harry Potter” star Daniel Radcliffe did a rousing turn in the buff in the drama-filled “Equus” on Broadway and now he’s going to be a professional ladder climber, keeping his clothes on for his musical debut on the Great White Way. Radcliffe’s foray into musical comedy will be in the Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning “How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.” The original 1961 theatrical production and 1967 film starred Robert Morse, known most lately for his appearances on AMC’S “Mad Men.” Radcliffe will take on the same role as Morse – that of J. Pierpont Finch, also played by Matthew Broderick in the 1995 revival. This is the story of a cheese ball who slithers from the mailroom to nearly being the chairman of the board in a charming yet manipulative manner which indicates he’s “hardly trying.” Tony Award winner Rob Ashford who directed and choreographed “Promises, Promises” currently playing on Broadway with Sean Hayes and Kristin Chenoweth will do the same for “How To Succeed.” Ashford must have a fondness for the “Will and Gracers.” Megan Mullally starred with Broderick in “How To Succeed…” and of course, Sean Hayes was Just Jack in the NBC series. Maybe Eric McCormack who played Will may star in the show with Radcliffe. I heard Eric sing in an Elton John tribute show once and it wasn’t pretty. He also played El Gallo in “The Fantasticks” in Los Angeles. Luckily for fans, that show only lasted a few performances. Ouch! Am I a bitch? Well, sometimes – you bethca!
-by: Charlie Reeves