Daniel Radcliffe in HOW TO SUCCEED
Daniel Radcliffe in HOW TO SUCCEED
#1Daniel Radcliffe in HOW TO SUCCEED
Posted: 3/11/22 at 4:04am
We can always go back and look at the reaction at the time but now that 10+ years has passed how does everyone feel about this performance in hindsight? Looking at ‘Brotherhood of Man’ now (and also comparing it to the Broderick revival) I think at the time I didn’t fully appreciate what an amazing dancer he was. I wouldn’t say it’s a performance I think about much but in hindsight I guess it was kind of cool to have that kind of starry revival and watch someone take on new challenges. Why wasn’t he nominated for a Tony? If I recall it was a performance that leaned heavily on his boyish charm/dancing/star power rather than any technically special vocal or acting choices but that is usually enough to get recognition. If the brief ‘give Broadway back to Broadway’ campaign didn’t happen circa 2010 when some people in the industry had a melt down because of all the stars coming and doing well on Broadway (eg CZJ) would he have been better received?
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
#2Daniel Radcliffe in HOW TO SUCCEED
Posted: 3/11/22 at 4:48am
I think your assessment pretty much sums it up.
Recently rewatching clips of him in the role, it isn’t the singing or the acting that really impresses me, so much as the full-on dancing he does. It’s not easy choreography, and he nails it (at least from this non-dancer’s perspective). His singing was ok, particularly considering he hadn’t ever sung before.
His American accent has come a long way since then. The difference between this vs. Lifespan of a Fact is pretty notable. Though it might also be that the wide, expressive nature of a musical comedy made it harder to keep the accent grounded.
I do remember him being very charismatic in the role as well.
As for the Tonys - it was a particularly strong year for Best Actor in a Musical, particularly with BOTH Book of Mormon boys taking up slots. As much as I adore Radcliffe and wish he had a long-awaited Tony nomination to his name, I think the Tonys made the right call that year. Radcliffe was good, but the 5 nominees were better. And the fact that they went with Josh Henry (a comparatively unknown name then, in an extremely risky, weighty show) speaks well for them.
I wasn’t on the chat boards back then, nor did a religiously read reviews or op-eds. But I seem to recall there being some debate about: “do we praise/award a big star for putting in a massive amount of effort, learning to sing/dance from scratch, and pulling it off through sheer determination? Or do we call a rose a rose, and say: he may have worked his ass off, but the singing just isn’t up to Broadway standards?”
I mentioned this in the other thread, but this is partly why I’m so excited for Merrily. Radlciffe’s post-Potter MO has been “stretch myself as much as possible” - he picks challenging projects that will push the limits of his abilities, and then he works his ass off and always pulls it off. But rather than continuing to perfect those skills, he moves on to another challenge. I.e “Jack of all trades, but master of none.”
The closest he’s come to really honing a specific acting skillset has been with comedy - he’s proven himself to be a really solid comedic actor over the years. But now I’m so excited to see him take on another musical, this time a drama.
Looking at the grosses, it seems like he pulled in decent numbers but not actually as much as I would’ve expected, particularly before and after the summer. Seems like they did quite well that Summer - which, unsurprisingly I guess, when I saw it. I have fond memories of rushing the show, though not-so-find memories of the awful, madhouse stage door.
https://www.broadwayworld.com/grosses/HOW-TO-SUCCEED-IN-BUSINESS-WITHOUT-REALLY-TRYING
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#3Daniel Radcliffe in HOW TO SUCCEED
Posted: 3/11/22 at 7:08am
I thought he was utterly charming in the role. Was his singing stellar? No, but I don't think it needed to be, either. I was surprised he didn't get a nom for this nor for The Cripple of Inishmaan, but I was SHOCKED he didn't get a nom for Equus. (I'm not saying he should have won - except, POSSIBLY, for Equus; but to be fair, I'm quite in love with the play.)
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#4Daniel Radcliffe in HOW TO SUCCEED
Posted: 3/11/22 at 8:35am
I remember that within the conversations about Radcliffe and the Tony noms/awards was that you had the season before reward all big name celebrities: (Scarlett Johansson, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Viola Davis, Denzel Washington, etc.) There was division that the Tony's was rewarded them because they needed a boost after the recession. Therefore, Radcliffe's lack of nomination the next season was seen (by some) as a "but this celebrity is actually good in his role, he should be rewarded".
"Ok ok ok ok ok ok ok. Have you guys heard about fidget spinners!?" ~Patti LuPone
#5Daniel Radcliffe in HOW TO SUCCEED
Posted: 3/23/22 at 10:44am
Radcliffe I find to be hard working and above competent, but none of the stage performances I’ve seen of him has he soared. That’s not a knock just that overall I can see why he wasn’t singled out for a nom for HTS.
I am looking forward to him in Merrily.
"when I’m on stage I see the abyss and have to overcome it by telling myself it’s only a play." - Helen Mirren
heybaby
Chorus Member Joined: 5/2/09
#6Daniel Radcliffe in HOW TO SUCCEED
Posted: 3/23/22 at 10:52am
He, Benjamin Walker and Aaron Tveit were all snubbed in an insanely good year for musicals. All incredible performances, especially Walker's.
#7Daniel Radcliffe in HOW TO SUCCEED
Posted: 3/23/22 at 11:22am
Weirdly enough, it was his dancing that impressed me the most. Competent singing and solid stage presence, but perhaps another director could have pushed his Finch further somehow. Still, a more than admirable effort on his part.
Rentaholic2
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/14/04
#8Daniel Radcliffe in HOW TO SUCCEED
Posted: 3/23/22 at 2:10pm
I loved this production and thought he was certainly deserving of a nomination. Brotherhood of Man was pure bliss - the choreography was particularly sizzling. Somewhat unrelated, but this revival mostly sticks out in my mind for a totally different reason - the first time I went to see it, the show was delayed in starting. Finally, Radcliffe and John Larroquette came on stage and informed the audience that a crew member had died right before the show was set to start, and that the performance was not going to go on. I believe it later came out that he had overdosed backstage or something. Very sad, and also I think the first time a Broadway performance had been cancelled since 9/11. I may be making that up, but that's my recollection.
Wayman_Wong
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/04
#9Daniel Radcliffe in HOW TO SUCCEED
Posted: 3/23/22 at 2:30pm
I also thought Daniel Radcliffe was incredibly talented and robbed of a Tony nomination. Especially for someone who had never sung and danced before, let alone starred in a Broadway musical. He had charisma to spare, and more than kept up with the professional dancers, especially in the showstopping ''Brotherhood of Man.'' It's also true that it was one of the most competitive fields for Best Actor in a Musical, and I'd agree there was some resentment among some who didn't like the idea of Hollywood stars winning Tonys. Sometimes, it's just the luck of the draw. Radcliffe has had zero luck with the Tonys, but the Drama Desk nominated him for Best Actor for each of his first three forays on Broadway: ''Equus,'' ''How to Succeed'' and ''The Cripple of Inishmaan.'' I hope he wins his Tony someday!
