Review: HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS Musically Brings Mad Men to Life Onstage

Climbing the corporate ladder has always been easy for some and difficult for others. In 1961, HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING explained the secrets of success included luck, charm, connections and a willingness to use those things to personal advantage. Fans of the TV show Mad Men will certainly feel right at home in the early 60's world of the advertising business complete with pastel dresses and flip style hairdos for the hard-working office girls designed by Donna Fritsche using styles straight out of a 1961 fashion magazine, as well as the brightly colored desks and set pieces designed by Sean Gray and Naomi Kasahara. Watch in amazement as J. Pierrepont Finch's meteoric rise from lowly window washer to high-powered executive happens just by following the steps presented in a business self-help book. If only it were really that easy...

"This show is fun. It was popular when it first hit Broadway, it won several awards, including the Pulitzer. It's revived every few years someplace in the world. That's always a mark of a show that audiences enjoy," said Andrew Vonderschmitt, Executive and Producing Artistic Director. "Biting comedy and bright insights are central to this play's popularity. It tackles many of the typical corporate traps like office parties and backstabbing co-workers. Add to that memorable songs, dances and a sweet love story and you've got all the ingredients for a hit production," said Vonderschmitt.

There are several standout performers including Steven Alcantar whose brilliant characterization of Finch, including his fabulous singing voice and stage presence, will entice you into following his quick rise to the top. His performance alone is worth the price of admission. As his main foil to success is the boss' nephew Bud Frump, perfectly overacted by Russell Malang to make this satire as humorous as possible. Malang runs circles around the stage, often poking his head in when least expected just to make one perfect comment on how he will spoil Finch's latest plan. And of course like most backstabbers, eventually he gets his comeuppance.

Mallory Kerwin fully embodies the office floozy Hedy LaRue from her curvaceous physicality to the way she can flash her eyes to let you know exactly what she is thinking without uttering a word, generating lots of laughs. Like all the other women, LaRue is out to catch a husband who will provide her with a better life. But who will ever take her seriously, even as eye candy? Just wait and see what happens when the Chairman of the Board (Greg Abbott) shows up! And as such, Monica Beld as secretary Rosemary sets her sights on Finch, hoping he will be the one to provide her with a comfy life in New Rochelle while he works long hours in the city. The secretarial duo of Beld and Alison Aoun (Smitty) rally the other office girls into believing all their dreams of marrying Prince Charming really can come true.

Leading the company is Glenn Koppel as J.B. Biggley, proving that once you rise to the top everyone else will do all the work. He epitomizes the typical male executive of the time, treating women on his staff as sexual objects rather than admitting they know more that he does about running the company. Certainly his entire executive staff shares the same opinion Biggley does, creating many humorous situations when dealing with the office girls.

The satirical musical with book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert, with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, includes familiar hits as "I Believe in You" and "Brotherhood of Man" with Musical Director Bill Wolfe and Choreographer Tanya Thompson combining their efforts to create beautiful harmonies and extremely creative movements with the entire ensemble of 19 hard-working cast members. Kudos to director Anthony Galleran for putting together a cast and crew who love bringing musicals to the stage and know how to share their enthusiasm with audiences.

HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING continues through August 13 at the Long Beach Playhouse, located at 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach, CA, 90804, right across from the Long Beach Recreation golf course. The Playhouse is community-supported theatre with programs and events that cut across age, gender, ethnic, and cultural boundaries. Performances are 8 p.m. Friday, and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday through August 13. The box office is open Wednesday-Saturday from 3:00-8:00 pm and Sundays from 1:00-2:00 pm on scheduled matinees. Tickets are available at www.lbplayhouse.org, or by calling 562-494-1014, option 1. Friday: Adults are $20.00, Seniors $18.00, and Students $14.00. Saturday and Sunday: Adults are $24.00, Seniors $21.00, and Students $14.00.

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