How to Succeed in Showbusiness

What a way to ring in the New Year!

Daniel Radcliffe has been given the esteemed honor of topping Entertainment Weekly’s list of Entertainers of the Year. (The 22-year-old beat out such competition as Adele, Ryan Gosling, and Viola Davis.) In addition to starring in a little film you might have heard of by the name of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, the British import is coming off a successful run in the Broadway revival of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. For his role as wily young go-getter J. Pierrepont Finch, Radcliffe has earned rave reviews from critics and audiences alike, and deservedly so. (Darren Criss will take over the role for a brief run in January, after which Nick Jonas will settle into the show starting January 24.)

On a recent trip to New York City, I was lucky enough to score tickets to How to Succeed, and I was blown away. In what can only be called a tour de force performance, Radcliffe sings and dances (and tricks) his way up the corporate ladder. What the 5’5” Radcliffe lacks in height, he more than makes up for in showmanship and flair! By the end of the show, he has gone from boy wizard to bona fide star. How he wasn’t nominated for a Tony Award is beyond me, but I’m pleased that Radcliffe is finally receiving the recognition he so rightfully deserves. Congratulations, Dan!

Does Radcliffe earn your approval as Entertainer of the Year? Who else would you nominate for Entertainer of the Year?

Parents Behaving Badly

Two years ago, I was in New York City for a wedding, and had the pleasure of seeing God of Carnage, a new play that had just begun its run on Broadway.  Written by French playwright Yasmina Reza, and featuring the all-star cast pictured above, the show revolves around two couples meeting to discuss a playground altercation between their sons.  Before long, the adults are behaving like children.  Hilarity ensues.  God of Carnage was hailed by critics and audiences alike, and deservedly went on to win the Tony for Best Play in 2009. 

Earlier in the week, I learned that Roman Polanski is directing a movie adaptation of the award-winning play, starring Jodie Foster, John C. Reilly, Kate Winslet, and Christoph Waltz.  While I’m a little disappointed that the original cast won’t be reprising their roles, I can’t say that I’m bummed out about their replacements.  The film is currently in production in Europe, and will be released in theaters by the year’s end.  Don’t miss it!