Daniel Radcliffe Tries, 'Succeeds' in Broadway Musical Debut

By Kristina Lucarelli Posted Mar 31st 2011 11:00AM

While the other members of the 'Harry Potter' trio are chopping off their trademark locks, going to college and taking edgy roles to distance themselves from the Hogwarts scene, Daniel Radcliffe is hanging up his wizard robes in a different way -- by going to Broadway. And no, not the edgy, full-frontal, horse-blinding Broadway that he had a go at in 'Equus' four years ago, but Broadway Broadway -- singing/dancing/cheesy love story Broadway -- as the star of 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.'

Getting naked on stage is nothing compared to starring in a traditional Broadway musical. So, will Radcliffe's stint as a song-and-dance man prove he's more than Harry Potter? We've seen the show and are ready to weigh in.

In 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,' a revival of an acclaimed production that debuted in the 1960s, Radcliffe stars as eager overachiever J. Pierrepont Finch, opposite 'Night Court' alum John Larroquette. Now, the expectations aren't very high for a kid who is only famous because he happens to look like the most popular literary hero. It's not like Radcliffe's acting in the 'Harry Potter' movies was Oscar-worthy or anything. He basically just awkwardly delivers lines, fights and touches his scar a lot.

So when the lights came down in the theater and Radcliffe appeared in non-Gryffindor regalia, the hope that Ralph Fiennes would come out next and the two would start dueling went out the window. Then he hit his first note. And for the next two hours, Radcliffe belted, high kicked and all but pirouetted his way to earning a spot on the Great White Way.

As far as Broadway stars go, Daniel Radcliffe is no Robert Goulet or Ben Vereen. He isn't even a Matthew Broderick, who played the same role in the 1995 revival of 'How to Succeed,' but Radcliffe has worked very, very hard. Anyone who sat close enough to see the sweat and concentration on his face throughout his performance could recognize that. He was enthusiastic, and energetic, and carried a tune. And he can really dance! It's not like the steps were 'Black Swan' hard or anything, but they weren't easy, and he's got rhythm and moves as good as any chorus boy you'll see on the ol' Broadway today.

See what we mean!? If it weren't for the plaid jacket and giant height difference, you'd never know which one was Dan! The fact is, even the greatest skeptics and hecklers can't dismiss Radcliffe's genuine drive to perform, and perform well.

So what does this mean for Radcliffe's post-'Potter' career? We'd like to hierarchically nominate the following possibilities:

'Harry Potter The Musical'
An E.G.O.T.
Guest starring on 'Glee'
'Harry Potter The Musical: The Movie'
A film remake of 'How to Succeed'
'Harry Potter The Musical: The Movie: The Documentary about the Movie'
Rehab

OK, we're kidding -- maybe not about 'Glee' -- but in all seriousness, it just means that Daniel Radcliffe has officially broken the child star curse (one that may not even apply to British child stars in the first place?), and will have no problem working for a long, long time. Barring any Lohan-esque mishaps, of course.

So let's all cross our fingers that if anyone attempts to turn 'Harry Potter' into a musical, it's Darren Criss and not Julie Taymor. She's already ruined our childhoods enough (not counting, like, 'The Lion King' or 'Across the Universe,' natch).

Watch Vogue go behind the scenes of 'How to Succeed' with Daniel Radcliffe >>

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Tags: Daniel Radcliffe, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

Comments

(7)

Thursday 31 March

By dls031568

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YOU GO GIRL!!

By cac006006

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I saw How to Suceed 2 weeks ago and loved it. Radcliffe was very good and the whole play is very enjoyable with a talented cast.

By Kristin M.

While I agree that Harry Potter winning an Oscar is really out there, I don't think that Daniel, or any other the other 3, delivered their lines "awkwardly". In the beginning, yeah, but they were only 11 with basically no acting experience. Now, I think the 3 of them are proper actors. They've gotten better with time. Their acting in DH1 was wonderful, and I think that they can hold a film by themselves with their talents alone. The problem is, they just have to choose good films to do.

Judging by Dan's acting in Equus, he should have won a Tony for that. I personally think Dan is the best actor of the trio and deserves to eventually win an Oscar or BAFTA, he absolutely has the acting chops to do that.

I am seeing this musical on the very last day of performances, and I can't wait!

By Fran

Considering that the author alleges that she liked it, the tone of this "review" seems unnecessarily snarky. It also relies way too heavily on Harry Potter cliches. The poor kid is trying really hard to move on - too bad that the media are so reluctant to keep up with him.

By paddles0626

I would FREAK OUT if they brought "A Very Potter Musical" to Broadway. It was an excellent production at the University of Michigan- but imagine how great it could be given a proper budget! Use Darren Criss and the rest of the original cast, and then sub in Radcliffe and maybe some of the other movie actors in cameo roles. It would be so much fun!

By joe

Impressive. He is actually better than a lot of the folks that are performing on Broadway right now. They also gave him a really good supporting cast. I will have to see if I can get a ticket.

Sunday 10 April

By robeekay

I just saw How to Succeed and it was great. Daniel was outstanding in an overall wonderful production. I wonder if the reviewer even saw previous versions of this musical, since the greatest Finch was of course Bobby Morse. I also saw the revival with Matthew Broderick in which he played the role with a kind of self-conscious cuteness. Broderick's singing voice is quite thin and the dancing was arranged around his limnitations to make then less obvious. In this production Daniel attacked the role with the kind of manic enthusiasm it needs, and he danced strongly and fearlessly. He should win a Tony, and the production should too.

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