Recital presents a glimpse of Broadway

Fans of J.K. Rowling and musical theater have to be going all Hogwarts with the news that actor Daniel Radcliffe, aka Harry Potter, will return to Broadway next year as J. Pierrepont Finch in "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying."

Whether you get to fly to New York or not, you can get a taste of what this Pulitzer Prize-winning musical is like here in Everett.

This weekend is the 14th annual Brookfield-Jordan Studio Vocal Recital at the Everett Performing Arts Center.

The event will showcase a condensed version of Frank Loesser's "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" and will also feature a selection of operatic solos and duets billed as "Opera Bon-Bons."

And, yes, this isn't Broadway and, yes, it is a recital, but this is a high-quality production with great music and a leading man who brings his own set of charms to the role of Finch, Sherri Brookfield-Jordan said.

"We give the impression that this is a full-fledged production and there are no ringers -- these are all students with enough talent to put together this show," Brookfield-Jordan said. "It's a visual delight and the songs are all so much fun."

The plot of "How to Succeed" has Finch rising from window washer to company executive, using questionable tactics and morals to get there while jeopardizing his relationships. In the end, Finch relies on his wits -- and a little luck -- to save the day.

Brookfield-Jordan modernized the show with more females in the roles of company executives because, she said, male singers are hard to find.

But one of the main reasons Brookfield-Jordan picked this musical was that she had the perfect Finch.

Dylan Hussey, an Arlington High School grad on his way to Western Washington University, is charming and likable as Finch in spite of what he's up to.

She also found the perfect secretary Smitty in Jenna Van Rijn, whose voice shines in the songs "Been a Long Day" and "Coffee Break."

Another standout is Kamiak High School senior Jesslyn Freeman, who plays Finch's love interest, Rosemary.

Other hits from the show are the rousing "A Brotherhood of Man" and the cute "Happy to Keep His Dinner Warm."

"There are really no clunkers," Brookfield-Jordan said.

The operatic bon-bons include music from "La Boheme" and other operas, ending with a show-stopping duet from Bellini's "Norma" sung by two accomplished singing sisters in their 30s, Melissa Sturgis and Mindee Viscalla, Brookfield-Jordan said.

Ruth Mallery is the accompanist, continuing with the Brookfield-Jordan Studio for her fifth year.