by Mark G. Auerbach
Connecticut Repertory Theatre opens its summer season (and Artistic Director Vincent J. Cardinal’s final season) with a high-spirited revival of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Through June 12). It’s the perfect musical comedy for a summer night–a smart, funny story, a winning hero, some nice performances, a sizzling showstopper (Tina Fabrique and company raise the roof of the Harriet Jorgensen Theatre with a hot, tap-filled “Brotherhood of Man”), and a happy ending.
Riley Costello and Fred Grandy in How to Succeed… through June 12 at Connecticut Repertory Theatre. Photo by Gerry Goodstein.
Yes you can fake your way to the top, as proven by hero J. Pierpont Finch in the engaging take on corporate America, as defined in How to Succeed... All you need is innocent charm, a beguiling smile, and a knack for being in the right place at the right time. Plus, a handy guide book called “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”. Riley Costello has all that and more, an engaging voice, nimble footwork, and a “golly, gosh, shucks” take that makes his performance as Finch, the window washer at World Wide Wickets who dreams about being Chairman of the Board, one of the best performances of the season.
When How to Succeed opened on Broadway in 1961, it picked up seven Tony Awards, plus the Pulitzer Prize. It made Robert Morse (late of Mad Men) a great big Broadway star, and poked fun of the corporate world and the American dream. How to Succeed was a movie musical hit. It returned to Broadway in 1995 starring Matthew Broderick and Megan (Will and Grace) Mullally; and yet again on its 50th anniversary with Daniel Radcliffe as junior executive Finch on the way to the top (and later Darren Criss and Nick Jonas).
How to Succeed has aged very well. Its script is still satirically sharp fifty-five years after its opening. The Frank Loesser score, with gems like “The Brotherhood of Man”, “I Believe in You”, “The Company Way” and “Coffee Break”, still has a contemporary edge. Director Vincent J. Cardinal stages How to Succeed with a cartoonish gloss; John Pike’s musical direction is fresh, and Cassie Abate’s choreography is snappy. When the whole thing comes together in the second act crowdpleaser, “I Believe in You”, .followed by the musical’s signature showstopper “Brotherhood of Man”, it’s easy to remember that good musical comedy is one of the best things America ever invented.
Riley Costello and Steve Hayes the ensemble in How to Succeed… through June 12 at Connecticut Repertory Theatre. Photo by Gerry Goodstein.
Tim Brown’s sets, Christina Lorraine Bullard’s costumes, and Michael Chybowski’s lighting designs are fun, and so are the performances. Costello is the stand-out, but I also enjoyed Sarah Schenkkan’s winning Rosemary, the secretary who’s happy to keep Finch’s dinner warm while he moves onward and upward. Ariana Shore sizzles as Hedy LaRue, the va-va-va-voom “secretary” with no secretarial skills. Some other fun performances include Fred Grandy (The Love Boat) as the CEO; Robert Fritz as his brown-nosing nephew, and Steven Hayes as the mail room chief. And, every musical should have a Tina Fabrique. I just loved watching her every moment she was onstage.
How to Succeed is a fitting finale for Vincent J. Cardinal, Connecticut Repertory Theatre Artistic Director and Head of the Department of Dramatic Arts at UConn. After the next production, he leaves the area to become Professor of Musical Theatre, Chair of the Department of Musical Theatre and Professor of Music, School of Music Theatre and Dance at the University of Michigan. He’s done some magnificent work here; he will be missed. He’s brought talents like Cassie Abate, John Pike, Terrence Mann, Riley Costello, Leslie Uggams, and more to Storrs. He’s jumpstarted the careers of some exciting young actors like Chester Martin. He’s turned UConn’s theatre scene into something vibrant
Riley Costello and the ensemble in How to Succeed… through June 12 at Connecticut Repertory Theatre. Photo by Gerry Goodstein.
The Connecticut Repertory Theatre presents How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert. Music and lyrics by Frank Loesser. Based on the book by Shepherd Mead. Directed by Vincent J. Cardinal. Musical direction by John Pike. Choreography by Cassie Abate. Scenic design by Tim Brown. Costume design by Christina Lorraine Bullard. Lighting design by Michael Chybowski. Sound design by Michael Vincent Skinner. Cast: Fred Grandy (Biggley), Riley Costello (Finch), Sarah Schenkkan (Rosemary), Robert Fritz (Frump), Ariana Shore (Hedy), Chester Martin (Gatch), Steven Hayes (Twimble/Womper). Connecticut Repertory Through June 12. Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre. University of Connecticut at Storrs, CT. 860-486-2113 or www.crt.uconn.edu..
Mark G. Auerbach studied theatre at American University and the Yale School of Drama. He’s worked for arts organizations and reported on theatre for newspapers and radio.
