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University Theatre to stage ’60s hit ‘How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying’
LAWRENCE — One of the hit musicals of the 1960s will be staged by the University Theatre at the University of Kansas late this month.
Frank Loesser and Abe Burrows’ “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27 and 28 and March 4, 5 and 6 and at 2:30 p.m. March 8 at the Crafton-Preyer Theatre in Murphy Hall.
With a script by Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert and music and lyrics by Loesser, “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” is based upon Shepherd Mead’s 1952 book. It opened on Broadway in October 1961 starring Rudy Vallee and Robert Morse, who also starred in a 1967 film version. The musical won seven Tony Awards in 1962 and later that year won the Pulitzer Prize for drama. A 1995 revival starred Matthew Broderick and Megan Mullally and won a Tony Award for Broderick as best actor in a musical.
The KU production is directed by Mechele Leon, assistant professor of theatre and film, with musical direction by Barbara Puckett, staff accompanist for the University Theatre. Scenic designer is Tammy Keiser, Kansas City, Mo., graduate student; lighting designer is Ann Sitzman, Prairie Village senior; and costume and make-up designer is Caleb Stroman, College Station, Texas, graduate student. Choreographer is Michelle Heffner Hayes, assistant professor of dance, with additional choreography by John Staniunas, associate professor of theatre and film.
In the musical, it’s 1961 and the World Wide Wicket Company is a domain of rigid sexual roles, where men are the executives and women the secretaries.
J. Pierpont Finch, a young, bright window cleaner, buys a book, “How To Succeed In Business,” and follows its advice by joining the multinational, but poorly connected WWC. A baby-faced backstabber, Finch makes his ascent from window washer to the executive washroom, using sneaky and dubious ways so the person above him either gets fired or moved to another section of the company. The show satirizes corporate politics, quiz show scandals, interoffice romance, adultery, sexual harassment, nepotism and college fight songs.
Some of the songs from the musical include “Company Way,” “Been A Long Day,” “Grand Ol’ Ivy,” “Paris Original,” “Cinderella Darling,” “Love From A Heart of Gold” and “Brotherhood of Man.”
Two special guests are featured in the production: Lawrence physician Dr. Steve Bruner portrays Wally Womper, and John Gronbeck-Tedesco, interim dean of the School of Fine Arts, is providing the voice of “The Book.”
Although a hit in the ’60s, Leon said the musical is neither outdated nor irrelevant. She said the popularity of the television series “Mad Men” indicates how much fascination the public has for that time.
“It depicts features of an era that defined us,” she said. “Much of life in America, as we experience it today, remains the result of a dream-turned-nightmare service economy that traded manufacturing for marketing, a culture that swapped ethics for expediency, politics built on appearance not substance and a geography of nowhere that houses commuters too tired for community.”
Reserved seat tickets for the musical comedy are on sale in the KU ticket offices: University Theatre, 864-3982; Lied Center, 864-ARTS; and Student Union Activities, 864-7469, or online at kutheatre.com. Tickets are $18 for the public, $10 for students and $17 for seniors and KU faculty/staff. Visa and Mastercard are accepted for phone and online orders.
Members of the cast for the KU production of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” are listed below by hometown, level in school, major, parents’ names, high school and role.
DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence 66046
David Stogsdill, senior, theatre/voice major, son of Mark and Sheila Stogsdill, Lawrence High School, Mr. Twimble.
FINNEY COUNTY
From Holcomb 67851
Logan Walker, senior, theatre and film major, son of Lynn and Cindy Walker, Holcomb High School, Mr. Gatch.
JOHNSON COUNTY
From Overland Park 66210
Cassandra Hollmann, graduate student, elementary education, daughter of Dan and Andyla Hollmann, Blue Valley North High School, Hedy LaRue.
From Overland Park 66213
Jeff Sears, junior, theatre/voice major, son of Andy and Betsy Sears, Blue Valley Northwest High School, J.B. Biggley.
From Overland Park 66223
Jeremy Ims, freshman, theatre and astronomy major, son of Terri Hopper and John Ims, Mr. Ovington, Coffee Guy and Cameraman.
SALINE COUNTY
From Salina 67401
Marilyn Haines, sophomore, journalism and Russian major, daughter of Bob and Linda German and Jeff Haines, Bennington High School, Miss Krumholtz.
SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita 67226
Elliot Metz, sophomore, journalism major, son of Eric and Susan Metz, Wichita Collegiate School, J. Pierrepont Finch.
SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka 66610
Sam Beasley, sophomore, voice major, son of Jeff and Flo Beasley, Topeka High School, Bud Frump.
From Topeka 66614
Nora Woolpert, sophomore, music education major, daughter of Bruce Woolpert and Stacey Ziegler, Washburn Rural High School, Miss Jones.
MISSOURI
From Kansas City 64114
Jakob Wozniak, junior, theatre major, son of Cheryl Behrends and John Wozniak, Shawnee Mission North High School, Mr. Tackaberry.
From St. Louis 63141
Mary McNulty, sophomore, voice major, daughter of Patrick and Tina McNulty, St. Joseph’s Academy, Rosemary Pilkington.
OHIO
From Solon 44139
Tali Beth Friedman, senior, theatre major, daughter of Roz and Ted Friedman, Solon High School, Smitty.
OKLAHOMA
From Bixby 74008
Garrett Lawson, sophomore, theatre/voice major, son of Desiree Jett and Robert Lawson, Bixby High School, Mr. Bratt.
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