Broadway | Twice as Nice [Wonderland & How to Succeed, Part II]

While there are currently a great number of broadway shows to choose from, during my last full week in New York City I decided to see two of my favorites a second time-- Wonderland and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. I honestly didn't think I would see Wonderland again while I was here, but when I heard that it was closing I knew I just had to see it one last time. I tried for the lottery on Thursday evening, and I won! For $30 I was sitting second row center. During the entire show I was sitting there having a wonderful time, but I was also so disappointed. How could this great show be closing?! It is filled with catchy songs, great choreography, fun costumes, and some of the most talented actors on broadway. It's a true shame Wonderland won't entertain any more audiences. 

Not only was I lucky to win the lottery that night, but after the performance Janet Dacal (Alice) and Darren Ritchie (Jack) held a talkback session to answer questions from audience members. For those of you that haven't seen the show, Ritchie's character in Wonderland is the lead singer of the "boy band" The White Knightz. Their main number "One Knight" was definitely my favorite part of the show. It's an amazing song, but it's supposed to be funny, and I die of laughter watching these guys. Click here to watch their "music video." 

Anyway, at the talkback session, an audience member asked Darren if he tries to act like any certain boy band member in particular. His answer? "Football player Justin Timberlake." I have no words! To view the entire talkback, check out the YouTube Video:

On Saturday, I woke up bright and early to head over to the Al Hirschfeld Theatre to stand in the rush ticket line for How to Succeed. I got there two hours early, and got a great spot in line (about the 16th person or so). I politely asked the lady at the box office if I could sit on the right side of the orchestra, and she searched to get me the best seat there. My motives? I just HAD to get  a decent spot at the stage door! Last time I was seated on the left side of the orchestra and I nearly got trampled just walking out of the theater. I was going to leave as soon as the curtain call started, but didn't want to be rude and push the other girls sitting next to me out of the way. Instead I waited patiently, and as soon as the doors opened, booked it out of there. I got a good spot in the second row with enough room to stick my Playbill out to be signed. The problem? Daniel didn't come out! Apparently he doesn't come out at matinee performances. Understandable, since he has another show to do in a few hours, but I was still disappointed.

Even though Dan didn't come out I was still hoping to get some other autographs, but it seems the other actors have grown accustomed to just walking through the crowds as fast as they can. The smiled and waved, and kept right on going. I knew Christopher Hanke who plays Bud Frump sometimes signs, but he didn't even come out! Alas, I saw another great performance, but have another naked playbill. Hopefully my friends and I will be able to road trip it to NYC this summer so I can see the show again. 

Broadway | How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

This morning I waited in line for two hours to get a $30 rush ticket to see How to Succeed on broadway starring Daniel Radcliffe. I normally only arrive at the theater about 30 minutes ahead of the box office opening, but after seeing the line at Catch Me If You Can yesterday when I got there an hour early, I knew I had to get there way ahead of time to see DanRad. Imagine my surprise when I show up and there are about 15-20 people ahead of me. I was so nervous! Should I wait? Should I leave? Three people in front of me bailed soon after I got there. Luckily, when noon rolled around I had my ticket in my hand. I was sitting in the fourth row, and although it was stamped "partial view" I could see everything just fine. 

As the show was about to begin, I could not have been more excited. I was literally trembling (of course, the air conditioning was freezing in the theater). I had no idea that the show I was about to see would leave me smiling for hours after I left the theater. How am I supposed to sum up for you how amazing this show was? Let me put it this way-- Harry Potter who?! Seriously, Daniel did a phenomenal job. Okay, so he's not the best singer in the world, but his voice is pleasant enough. Everyone knows he is a great actor, but now he has proven he is one outstanding performer. Daniel and the cast of How to Succeed with entertain you to the fullest.

Daniel plays J. Pierrepont Finch, a young window washer who quickly rises to the top in a powerful corporation thanks to a how-to guide. I cannot stress to you how fun this show is. The dancing, the music, the extravagant set-- it all is put together so perfectly. I keep asking myself, "Would I still love this show if Dan didn't play the lead?" And you know what, while it would still be fabulous, it just wouldn't be the same. He is made for this role. Daniel is so charming and talented. He interacts wonderfully with the rest of the cast, his dancing is rather impressive, and, most of all, he is really enjoying myself. My absolute favorite moment in the show was during one of the last numbers called "Brotherhood of Man." This scene in itself is a huge, powerful moment, but I caught something that made me see that Dan is having the time of his life up there. Dan did a fancy maneuver (not sure if it was a somersault or what) but he landed facing the actor who plays the chairman of the board of the company he works for. When those two made eye contact, Dan was absolutely beaming. He wasn't just smiling for the sake of the show-- he was truly having a blast. 

I really do not want to put Dan's performance on a higher lever than the rest of the cast's because that is definitely not true. Everyone-- from the other lead actors to the members of the ensemble-- is so talented. I can't begin to explain the amazing time I had at How to Succeed. If you go to see one show this season, make it this one. Just remember to get there very early if you want rush tickets. No matter what, it will definitely be worth the wait.