I usually try to refrain from reading other reviews of productions before I write mine as to not be influenced by what I see, but after Sacramento's major daily paper rated How To Succeed only two stars, I couldn't resist taking a peek. I suppose "critics" - especially those at some daily papers - feel obligated to find something wrong with a show. I personally can never understand why they can just never let go and just have a fun time of it. Basically what it all boiled down to was How To Succeed star Ralph Macchio just wasn't cute enough for the role.

Of course not having seen anyone else play the part of J. Pierrepont Finch, I can't really be a judge of that, but I thought Macchio turned in a great performance within his limitations. Like many others, I'm afraid I will forever think of him as "Daniel-son" - the role he played in three Karate Kid movies. How To Succeed focuses on the rise of a young window washer to a corporate executive aided by the book - How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. Finch uses his bravado and charm (and the book) to win a job at the World Wide Wicket Company, starting in the mailroom and climbing over everyone and everything to eventually become Chairman of the Board.

Quickly rising through the ranks, stretching the truth at every turn to gain an advantage, and foiling the plots of his nerdish nemesis Bud Frump (Roger Bart), who is the nephew of the president of the company, Finch has it all - even turning a potential career-ending disaster to his advantage. Half the fun of the production came from Frump's constantly backfiring attempts to destroy Finch's rising career.

Macchio's vocal talents aren't the best I've heard, but passable, and he seemed very comfortable in the role of Finch - and best of all he looked like he was having a lot of fun - which suited this musical comedy just fine.

How To Succeed's set was even fun, utilizing a multi-screen video backdrop that resembled the windows in a high rise building, the audience was whisked up and down as the "elevators" in the building ferried the cast in and out of scenes. Computer-generated clouds floated by in the sky in the background and the audience was even treated to a blimp during the "Coffee Break" scene, which was one of the more humorous of the production. A familiar theme - the office staff went crazy when they found out the coffee pot was empty!

I could have done without Macchio's green suit in the latter portion of the production, but both the costuming and sets throughout How To Succeed were very colorful and well done - complete with a lot of typewriters and officey-looking doors.

Macchio was joined on stage by Shauna Hicks, who played the role of Finch's love interest Rosemary Pilkington, a secretary who falls head over heels the first time she lays eyes on him. Finch is more concerned with his meteoric rise in the business world, however, and doesn't even realize Rosemary has left him at one point! Also starring are Richard Thomsen as J.B. Biggley, president of World Wide Wicket and Pamela Blair as the blonde-bimbo no-talent secretary Hedy La Rue, who has an "in" with the boss. Walter Cronkite's voice was heard as the "book" everytime Finch pulled it out to read it for his next step up the ladder of success.

How To Succeed was a fun production that didn't need to be taken too seriously to be a hit with the audience. "Daniel-son" received his obligatory standing ovation at the end of the show and while it may not have been given due to his "spectacular" singing or "phenomenal" dancing, it was a well-deserved round of applause for the fun of it.

Sacramento's Broadway Series continues Dec. 31-Jan. 5 with Cats. Tickets are now on sale. For information, call the Broadway Series box office at (916) 557-1999 or the Community Center Theater at (916) 264-5181.