“How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying” is a satire of big business and all it holds sacred. It follows the rise of the charming but conniving J. Pierrepont Finch, (played by, Jason Brockett) who uses a little handbook to climb the corporate ladder from being a lowly window washer, to Chairman of the board of the World Wide Wicket Company. Along the way he tackles such familiar, but potent dangers, as the aggressively compliant “Company Man,” the office party, backstabbing co-workers, the Boss’ nephew, a voluptuous secretary, caffeine addiction and of course, true love. The original Broadway production, starring Robert Morse and Rudy Vallee, opened at the 46th Street Theatre, in October of 1961 and ran for 1417 performances. It won seven Tony awards (including Best Musical) and the 1962 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Several years later, Robert Morse and Rudy Vallee recreated their stage roles in the 1967 film version of the show. The 1995 Broadway revival ran for 548 performances and garnered Matthew Broderick a Tony Award for his portrayal of Finch. Interesting side note: that production, featured news icon Walter Cronkite as the Book Voice. In 2011, the 50th Anniversary Revival starred Daniel Radcliffe (of Harry Potter fame) as Finch, featured Anderson Cooper as the Book Voice and won John Larroquette, a Tony Award for his portrayal of J. B. Biggley. Jason’s (Finch) stage experience dates back to 1998, when he worked with the Tiger Music Theatre’s production of “How to Succeed.” After he was introduced to the show back in 1998, Jason made it a persona goal of his, to see to it that one day; he would have the opportunity to play the role of Finch. Fifteen years later, here he is, doing just that. Jason will graduate from NMSU in December with his B.A. in Communication Studies and a minor in Film. Ronnie Brockett (who plays, Smitty) is currently working towards her B.A. in Psychology at NMSU. Her love affair with the stage began nearly twenty years ago (playing Rosemary) in this very show. Coincidentally, “How to Succeed” is also guilty of introducing her to the leading man of this current show (Finch), who in real life, is also her “real” leading man. “How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying” is very enjoyable and I highly recommend it. It will continue to play this weekend and next. And if you can’t see it, I also recommend the movie version, which is one of my favorite movies when I was a little kid. A time when I didn’t have to worry about climbing the “Corporate” ladder, just enjoying “Summer” and being a kid!
Posted on: Sat, 27 Jul 2013 16:17:20 +0000
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