‘Succeed’ Not Just Another Infomercial
What, exactly, is “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”?
Some kind of business seminar?
People have actually asked that question of box office personnel around the country as the national touring show has made its way from coast to coast this spring and summer.
It’s enough to make a grown person cry.
At least, a grown person 40 and older. This show made its big splash on Broadway way back in 1961, and in Hollywood in 1967. Which means that to most younger Americans, the title sounds like, maybe, an infomercial.
Just to clear it up once and for all: “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” is the charmingly cynical Frank Loesser musical comedy, which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1961.
However, a couple of other questions remain as the touring company prepares to come to Spokane for five shows, Friday through next Sunday. Is this production any good? And is Ralph Macchio, best known as the Karate Kid, any match for Matthew Broderick, who played the lead role in the successful Broadway revival earlier this year?
I’ve collected a few reviews which might shed light on these questions:
Denver Post: “With its high-powered charm, high-tech graphics, and high energy fun, ‘How to Succeed’ is a success. In his first national tour musical, Ralph Macchio, who has big expressive eyes and a wickedly angelic smile, proves he can sing, dance and clown with the best of them.”
St. Paul Pioneer Press: “Macchio’s goofy and graceful Finch is just one of the delights in Frank Loesser and Abe Burrows’ snappy and satiric ode to corporate shenanigans. It’s Dilbert with show tunes.”
Variety: “Just as Matthew Broderick won over audiences in the New York revival, Macchio promises to take flight as the road company Finch. By the time he sings, ‘I Believe in You,’ we do, too.”
I can second these opinions. I saw the show in Denver two weeks ago, and it proved to be a big-time crowd pleaser.
According to the Best of Broadway people, plenty of tickets are still available, especially for the Sunday matinee. Apparently, people just aren’t interested in another business seminar.
‘Treasures of Antiquity’
Ancient Rome and Greece are coming to Spokane, and it should be the art event of the year.
The Cheney Cowles Museum is planning a spectacular exhibition this fall, “Treasures of Antiquity: Greek and Roman Art from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.”
The show will run Sept. 29 through Dec. 31, and will include 80 rare objects from the sixth century B.C. to the third century A.D.
To whet our anticipation for this exhibit, the conservator of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Arthur Beale, will deliver a pre-opening lecture on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Cheney Cowles titled, “Is It Real? The Authentication and Conservation of Classical Antiquities.”
Beale will be in town to uncrate and prepare the collection for display. Look for many more special events once the exhibit opens.
Bateman and Brenders
More early warning: Wildlife artists Robert Bateman and Carl Brenders will be putting in a joint live appearance at Spokane’s Pacific Flyway Gallery on Sept. 15 from 1-4 p.m.
These two painters are superstars in the world of wildlife art, and it should be quite a popular event. In fact, popular may be an understatement. Each artist alone is quite capable of drawing a big crowd.
Still, everybody who shows up should get a chance to shake the artists’ hands.
KAGU-FM goes classical
Classical music lovers should check out a new spot on the FM dial, 88.7.
This week, KAGU-FM, the student station at Gonzaga University, went to an all-classical format.
In years past, this station played alternative rock. Believe me, no one would ever have mistaken it for classical.
We have received no official word, but it looks like this change may be permanent. The only bad news for classical fans is that the hours are somewhat sporadic (it goes dark on school holidays) and it only broadcasts on 100 watts of power.
, DataTimes