Theatre Review : How to succeed in business without really trying

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How to succeed.... is a musical comedy playing on Broadway currently and stars Daniel Radcliffe (or better known as Harry Potter) and John Larroquette in the major roles. 

How to succeed is a spoof on the corporate world, where the protagonist uses a self help book on "how to succeed in business" to make his way up the corporate ladder. His methods are morally questionable, but following those he rises up from being a window-washer to the Chairman of the big World Wide Wickets company. 

The tricks used by him include anything and everything, making the right contacts including with the secretaries of the bosses (;-) ), of getting your bosses fired to get their jobs, knowing inside information about people to use as and when required, of trying to find common links with the higher ups and so on... People in the office hate him or fear him and on the way, he ignores the one person who actually cares for him for what he is.

The list of what he does is long, and not necessarily unreal. It does happen in real life, as not everyone reaches the top based on just ability. The play just takes all of them together, and shows how they can be used to achieve your aim, without really being too cruel/mean on the way.

Its a totally enjoyable play, to be taken lightly and enjoyed. The songs are topical and fun, the dance senjoyable. Some of the highlights of the show were 'My coffee' and 'Brotherhood of Man'. 

The acting was fun, and Daniel is a charming kid throughout. As Ponty Finch, he is the sweet poor boy with the evil streak, who is willing to do all it takes to do well. You can't hate him even though you may not approve of his methods. He does tread on lot of toes on the way, and ignores true love, but in the end he does come out to be a not-so-bad-person.

As I said, a truly enjoyable musical for a nice fun evening out. And given that there are not that many good comedies on the street, its a must watch!

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