HOLLYWOOD

By Tony Rizzo
NEW YORK — I went to New York to a Broadway show and found out that Harry Potter can sing and dance! Daniel Radcliffe is singing and dancing his way into the hearts of Americans in ‘How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying’ until the end of the year, when Nick Jonas of The Jonas Brothers takes over. Former ‘Night Court’ and five-time Emmy winner John Larroquette won a Tony Award for the show. Anderson Cooper also is listed as a cast member. He narrates the book ‘How to Succeed in Business’ for Radcliff’s character. Isn’t CNN and a new talk show enough?

Daniel worked hard to win over ‘Harry Potter’ fans, but he works even harder to win over experienced theatergoers … and succeeds. Audiences love him!
* * *
While dining at Onieal’s on Grand Street, I was surprised to see 40 women arrive at once and found myself in the middle of the ‘Sex and the City’ tour! People pay $44 to ride a bus around to New York locations where the show and movie were shot. In addition to Onieal’s, which doubled as Steve and Aiden’s bar, Scout, in three or four shows, they are taken to the site of Carrie and Big’s wedding rehearsal dinner; The Pleasure Chest, where Charlotte bought her ‘rabbit’; and several Greenwich Village boutiques where the girls shopped, to name a few stops. Three gals from London found the tour online and said it was a must see for them — even in a heavy rainstorm. Their favorite stop? ‘Onieal’s,” one said, “because we drink Cosmos like the girls on the show did!’

I went to see ‘The Addams Family,’ which stars Brooke Shields as Morticia and ‘Cheers’ alum Roger Rees as Gomez Addams. The musical, based on characters in The New Yorker Magazine and TV series, gives the audience sight gags, humor and a chance to enjoy Brooke Shields’ strong singing voice and flair for comedy. The show runs ’til New Year’s Eve, then goes on tour. It’s great fun.

Also saw ‘Billy Elliot,’ with songs by Elton John. Five boys rotate as Billy (in my performance Joseph Harrington played the title role). Audiences enthusiastically applaud throughout the show and give several standing ovations to whichever boy is playing Billy. The story is about a Northern England coal miner’s son who wants to be a ballet dancer. It starts out as a tragedy and ends up a feel-good show. It won’t be long before it becomes a favorite school play.

After riding clean, efficient subways and buying first-rate theater tickets near Times Square for half off, I can happily say, ‘I took a bite out of the Big Apple, and it tasted really good!’

Send letters to Tony Rizzo’s Hollywood, 8306 Wilshire Blvd., No. 362, Beverly Hills, CA 90211.