Lakeshore Advance, 2011-08-03, Page 20Wednesday, August 3, 2011 • Lakeshore Advance 19
How to Succeed In Business Without Really 'Frying
Power, Ambition and
Office Romance Shine
at the Huron Country
Playhouse
akeshore Advance
The renowned Huron Country Play-
house continues its ambitious 40th
Anniversary season with one of the
most popular musicals in theatre his-
tory. How to Succeed in Business
Without Really Trying, the enticing
tale about power, ambition and office
romance, delights audiences until
August 13th.
Artistic Director Alex Mustakas says
How to Succeed in Business Without
Really Trying is one of the most lavish
productions ever presented at Iluron
Country Playhouse, and also features
top-notch theatrical talent.
"Having a musical production of
this magnitude makes How to Suc-
ceed in Business Without Really Try-
ing one of our most anticipated shows
of the season," says Mustakas. "The
calibre of the artists and creative per-
sonnel involved in this show is simply
outstanding,"
Ambitious novice J. Pierrepont
Finch is determined to succeed in
business - albeit without really trying.
With the help of an instructional
guide, Finch climbs the corporate lad-
der from lowly window -washer to
high-powered executive, tackling
such familiar but potent dangers as
the compliant company man, the
boss' whiny nephew, the office party,
backstabbing co-workers, caffeine
addiction and, of course, true love.
With a score by Guy and Dolls com-
poser Frank Loesser, How to Succeed
in Business Without Really Trying is
packed with hits such as "I Believe in
You," "Happy to Keep His Dinner
Warta," "The Company Way," "Rose-
mary," and "Brotherhood of Man."
How to Succeed in Business With-
out Really Trying opened to critical
acclaim on Broadway in October
1961, running for 1,417 performances.
The show won seven Tony Awards
including Best Musical and Best Book,
he New York Drama Critics Circle
Ow
and for Best Musical, a Grammy for
est Original Cast Show Album, and
is one of only eight musicals to win
the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. In 1967,
a film based on the musical was
released by United Artists. The 1995
Broadway revival starred Matthew
Broderick, and a new revival opened
on Broadway earlier this spring star-
ring harry Potter's Daniel Radcliffe as
Finch.
Director and Choreographer
Michael Lichtefeld leads a stellar cast
with stylish direction that utilizes the
beautiful music and impressive sets to
his advantage to tell this fun story. In
addition to directing numerous Strat-
ford Festival productions, Lichtefeld
has choreographed six Broadway
musicals, eight Off-Broadway musi-
cals and last season helmed the Dray-
ton Entertainment production of Guys
& Dolls, which received rave reviews
and will play at the Huron Country
Playhouse Mainstage from August
17th through September 3rd this
season.
Associate Choreographer Joe Bow-
erman skillfully supports Lichtefeld to
create a lively and compelling pro-
duction on the expansive Huron
Country Playhouse stage.
Music Director Charlene Nafziger
leads a first-rate band through roman-
tic ballads, comedic songs, and show -
stopping numbers that have everyone
humming as they leave the theatre.
Set Design by Douglas Paraschuk,
complementary Lighting Design by
Kevin Fraser and Associate lighting
Designer Jennifer Lennon, combined
with the stimulating Costume Design
by Michelle Vanderheyden work
together to transform the Playhouse
into a visually spectacular corporate
setting, reminiscent of New York's
famed Madison Avenue.
Drayton Entertainment newcomer
Ari Butler delivers a magnetic per-
formance as leading man J. Pierre -
pont Finch, balancing Just the right
amount of youthful charm with a
great sense of mischief and comic
timing that is essential for this
dynamic role. Butler's winning smile
and boyish good looks captivate the
audience while his voice stands out in
the signature song "I Believe in You"
as well as numerous others.
Jayme Armstrong brings warmth
and sincerity to her role as sweet sec-
retary Rosemary Pilkington, the object
of Finch's affection, Armstrong, who
audiences may recognize from her
role as Guenevere in Drayton Enter-
tainment's 2009 production of
Camelot, has a fantastic voice which
lends itself flawlessly to the popular
song "Happy to Keep His Dinner
Warm."
Thomas Alderson is delightfully
devious as Bud Frump, the boss's
nephew, an obnoxious young man
who can't make it to the top in spite of
his scheming and family
connections,
Victor A. Young is brilliantly ruth-
less as J.B. Biggiey, displaying an
authoritative presence as the Impos-
ing boss of the World Wide Wicket
Company. Jayne Lewis is well cast as
Miss Jones, Biggley's imposing secre-
tary, who enjoys the respect her posi-
tion commands.
Ayrin Mackie exudes confidence in
the role of vampy secretary 11edy
LaRue. 11er energy and striking sil-
houette are well-suited to the charac-
ter, while her undeniable stage pres-
ence shines throughout the show.
Curtis Sullivan makes the most of
his featured role as Brett, the Person-
nel Manager who is adept in the main
skill required for holding his job -
agreeing with the boss. Sullivan's
robust voice is a standout in the
comedic song "A Secretary is Not a
Toy."
'Ihe characters of Mr. '1'wimble, Mr.
Ovington and Mr. Womper are all
superbly portrayed by theatre veteran
Brian McKay, who steals the audi-
ence's attention whenever he's on
stage. Talented performer Mike Jack-
son also displays remarkable versatil-
ity in multiple roles including the
suave playboy Gatch. Miss Krumholtz
and Miss Smith, lovably known as
Smitty, are portrayed by Rachel
Crowther and Caitlin Goguen
respectively.
This large scale production also fea-
tures Ryan Adkins, Matthew Millet,
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Seats are booking up quickly and theatregoers are
advised to call the Box Office at (519) 238-6000 or toll free
at 1-855-drayton (372-9866) as soon as possible for the
best available tickets. For more information please visit
www.huroncountryplayhouse.com.
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