Photo Flash: First Look - Walnut Street Theatre's HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING

Walnut Street Theatre concludes its landmark 205th season with an all-new production of Broadway's Tony Award-winning Best Musical, HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING. Directed by Casey Hushion, with choreography by Michele Lynch, this musical extravaganza began previews on May 13th, opens on May 21st and runs through July 13th on the WST Mainstage. Check out a first look at the cast in action below!

Based on the best-selling book of the same name by Shepherd Mead, HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING the musical was written by Frank Loesser, with a book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstockand Willie Gilbert. Loesser and Burrows had worked together previously to create the 1952 Tony Award-winning Best Musical, Guys and Dolls. Their success continued following the 1961 Broadway premiere of HOW TO SUCCEED..., which was awarded seven Tony Awards, a Pulitzer Prize for Drama and a New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Musical. A film version was released in 1967, which saw many of the original Broadway cast reprising their roles. The show had a 1995 Broadway revival with Matthew Broderick as Finch and Megan Mullally as Rosemary. A second revival celebrated the show's 50th Anniversary in 2011 with Daniel Radcliffe as Finch.

From mailrooms to executive suites, in the spirit of 1960's styles, the design team has created a colorful world full of dreams and romance for HOW TO SUCCEED.... Scenic Designer Robert Andrew Kovach (Elf, The Music Man, The King and I) is joined by Lighting Designer Paul Black (In the Heights, The Music Man), Costume Designer Lisa Zinni (Grease) and Sound Designer Craig Beyrooti (Grease).

As the lowly window washer looking for an easy rise to success, J. Pierrepont Finch will be played by Jeremy Morse. Morse is making his Walnut debut alongside Becky Gulsvig who is playing his love interest, Rosemary Pilkington. Gulsvig's Broadway credits include Amber Von Tussle in Hairspray, and Leilani in the original cast of Legally Blonde.Brian Shepard is making his Walnut debut as the scheming coworker with family connections, Bud Frump. The President of the company, J.B. Biggley, will be played by Walnut veteran Mark Jacoby (Fiddler on the Roof, 42nd Street). On Broadway, Jacoby was most recently seen as Walter Hobbs in Elf, with additional credits including the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera, Show Boat, Sweeny Todd and Ragtime.

Biggley's secretary Miss Jones will be played by Joilet F. Harris (Hairspray), and the voluptuous Hedy La Rue will be played by Amy Bodnar (Mel Brooks' The Producers). Cary Michele Miller (Elf) joins the cast as Smitty, Jeffrey Coon(The Music Man) as Bert Bratt, Scott Langdon (Love Story, the musical) as Milt Gatch and Ed Ramonoff (The Sound of Music) as Mr. Twimble and Wally Womper. The ensemble includes Sandy Alvarez, Rachel Beiswenger, Rachel Camp, Drew Franklin, Scott Langdon, Ben Michael, Michael Philip O'Brien, Shannon Rafferty, Tara Tagliaferro, Lilly Tobin and Michael Warrell.

Ticket prices vary by performance and range from $10-$95. Premium tickets are available for $175 (includes a tax deductible donation). For tickets and information, call 215-574-3550 or 800-982-2787. Tickets are also available online 24/7 by visiting www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster. Curtain times are Tuesday - Saturday evenings at 8PM, Sunday evenings (5/18, 5/25, 6/1, 6/8, 6/22, 7/6 and 7/13) at 7PM, Thursday matinees (5/29, 6/5, 6/12, 6/26, 7/3) at 2PM, Saturday matinees (5/17, 5/24, 6/7, 6/14, 6/21, 6/28, 7/5 and 7/12) at 2PM, and Sunday matinees at 2PM.

Photos by Mark Garvin

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