Ralph Macchio in How To Succeed

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Did anyone here get to see Macchio as Finch in the '96-'97 national tour of How To Succeed? I've been a fan of his for years - The Outsiders was a formative film in my youth - but never knew that he was in this tour. I'm really curious - I've read that he received generally favorable reviews but would love to hear a firsthand account of his performance if anyone caught it.

[Jarethan]

I actually saw the production in Charlotte, NC, with very low expectations.  I was not expecting much from him, but he came on and gave it his all for about 15 minutes.  Unfortunately, at eh end of that time, his understudy replaced him, since he had gotten sick back stage.

I remember thinking that he was a trooper for attempting to perform, and also remembered thinking that I would have liked to have seen his entire performances, since he started off very well.  

Sorry that I could not be more helpful.

[BrodyFosse123]

 

[BrodyFosse123]

 

[CATSNYrevival]

Looks like he did a pretty good job in the show.

[theatreguy12]

I first saw Broderick/Mullally on Broadway and, of course, loved MB in the role.  I thought he tapped into that smarmy personality he did so well with Bueller.    

I later caught Macchio on the national tour here in CA and I thought he was good.  He definitely held his own, and I certainly didn't walk out of the theater with any sense of 'yikes, that was a misfire.'  As I have with the performances of other "movie" people taking on roles.  I will admit I wasn't sure when I heard his name attached to the tour, but I was also pleasantly surprised.

He was so damn cute too.

Thanks for sharing the videos.

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Jarethan - thanks for sharing that! I'm sure it was disappointing but I'm glad that you enjoyed what you saw of his performance.

Brody - thanks for the videos! I've never been able to get over how young he's always looked. He was in his mid 30s when he played this role yet he looks like he's in his early 20s in those videos. It's great to know that footage of his performance exists.

theatreguy - how cool that you saw both the bway revival and the tour. Thanks for the memories.

[markypoo]

Didn't see him in the tour - eventhough it played Chicago - but I did see him on Broadway in Cuba and his Teddy Bear with Robert de Niro

[KJisgroovy]

He was delightful. The more elaborate (vocally and physically) musical numbers seemed a little beyond his abilities but he seemed so game and so charismatic that it didn't matter much. That said, Roger Bart was in the tour too... and while he was a terrific Bud Frump I imagine he might have been a really fantastic Finch. 

[theatreguy12]

TheGingerBreadMan said: "Jarethan - thanks for sharing that! I'm sure it was disappointing but I'm glad that you enjoyed what you saw of his performance.

Brody - thanks for the videos! I've never been able to get over how young he's always looked. He was in his mid 30s when he played this role yet he looks like he's in his early 20s in those videos. It's great to know that footage of his performance exists.

theatreguy - how cool that you saw both the bway revival and the tour. Thanks for the memories."

Sure! There’s a video, not of Ralph, but Megan on YouTube performing Paris Original from the show. She was fantastic too!
 

[BrodyFosse123]

So nice when folks link what is being mentioned.  I’m just sayin’.

 

[theatreguy12]

BrodyFosse123 said: "So nice when folks link what is being mentioned. I’m just sayin’.

 

"

Meow.

[AEA AGMA SM]

theatreguy12 said: "TSure! There’s a video, not of Ralph, but Megan on YouTube performing Paris Original from the show. She was fantastic too!"

I've always found it curious that she was not nominated for a Tony that year, 1995 wasn't a particularly crowded year for either Best Actress or Featured Actress. I know she was billed below the title so would have initially been considered Featured, but did the producers not even bother to petition her into lead knowing that Glenn Close pretty much had it in the bag? The only other nomination for Best Actress that year was Rebecca Luker, so I could only assume that if she had been petitioned for the category change that she would have received a nomination almost by default.

[theleadingplyr]

I did get to see this tour when it came to FL.  I don't remember that many specifics but it was a fun show and he did do a great job. 

I remember the actress who played Rosemary was amazing and she really stuck out to me, I can't remember who it was?

The set was beautiful and I think it was pretty much identical to the NY production, it didn't look scaled down in any way. 

I wish there were more clips of this online, but I do remember it being an enjoyable experience, and I'm glad I got a chance to see it. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Shauna Hicks played Rosemary in the tour.