Guild shows us 'How to Succeed'
The Musical Theatre Guild of Butler is pulling out all the stops as it enters the final rehearsals for its spring offering, "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying."
Based on the novel by Shepherd Mead, the show was originally staged by Abe Burrows with lyrics and music by Frank Loesser. It opened on Oct. 14, 1961, and ran for 1,417 performances, winning multiple Tony Awards. A film version was made in 1967.
The show is a comical nod to climbing the corporate ladder.
Phillip Ball plays J. Pierpont Finch, a bright, young window-cleaner who buys a book — "How To Succeed in Business" — and follows its advice to join the multinational but poorly-connected "World-Wide Wicket Co."
Starting from the mailroom, he rises to vice president in charge of advertising using sneaky and dubious ways to always get his boss ousted. He also starts slowly falling in love with secretary Rosemary Pilkington, played by Whitney Angeloni.
Dean Weiland of Butler Township fills the role of J.B. Biggley, the president of the World-Wide Wicket Co.
"Biggley rules the big corporation with an iron fist," Weiland said. "He gets his way in nearly every aspect, except when it comes to his wife's interference on behalf of her nephew," he added.
Biggley does have his moments. "There is one amusing scene in this show where he introduces his newest advertising manager as the man who is going to save the company, then quickly "fires" him because he went to a rival college," Weiland said.
"I think the audience will be very pleased with this comedy show. I would warn that it is PG-rated, with a few mild swear words and references to sexual situations, but it is all in fun," Weiland said.
Megan Flannery of Jefferson Township plays the sexy Hedy Larue.
"Hedy is such a fun character because she definitely stirs things up. I think my favorite thing about Hedy is that she takes risks and doesn't hold back from getting what she wants," Flannery said.
She thinks the audience will enjoy the fun poked at business.
Also appearing are Davlin Smith as Miss Jones, Ron McKissick as Mr. Twimble, Rob Covert as Bert Bratt, John Copper as Mr. Gatch, Connie Rodgers as Smitty, Kristen Double as Miss Krumholtz, Brad Griffiths as Bud Frump and several cameos by Bud Anderson, Ron Vodenichar and Cathy Whitling-Plaisted.
The show runs April 30 to May 2 at the Succop Theater at Butler County Community College. Tickets are available now at May's Music Shoppe.
<B>WHO: </B>Musical Theatre Guild of Butler<B>WHAT: </B>"How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying"<B>WHEN: </B>8 p.m. April 30 and May 1 and 3 p.m. May 2<B>WHERE: </B>Succop Theater on the Butler County Community College campus<B>TICKETS: </B>$17 for adults and $13 for students, available at May's Music Shoppe, 247 E. Jefferson St., from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.<B>INFORMATION: </B>724-287-8243
