Porchlight Music Theatre presents HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING.
Initially, I wondered if this 1961 Award-winning musical was outdated. A guy goes from the mailroom to the executive wing in a wink and a jingle. Even for a musical, the shtick was over-the-top buffoonery. My skepticism started waning during the musical number Coffee Break. By Paris Original,I was doing the chair shimmy. And the concluding Brotherhood of Man had me hopelessly in love. Porchlight’s HOW TO SUCCEED succeeds because it is really trying.
The best parts of this show are the musical numbers. Music Director Kory Danielson keeps the tempo bright and playful. And Choreographer Brenda Didier orchestrates high energy antics. For Coffee Break, the talented ensemble shuffle like zombies until they collapse like dominos. They eventually get their caffeine fix because Brotherhood of Man is on speed. The spectacle is high-octane fueled. At one moment, the only woman on stage, the dazzling Iris Lieberman (Miss Jones), turns the song into a torch-singing, tap-dancing showstopper.
The entire cast sings and dances with never-ending zest. Leading the charge is leading man, Tyler Ravelson (Finch). The understated Ravelson plays it by the book. He is less charming, more direct. His no-nonsense delivery is comedic in itself. The deadpan Ravelson zings the punchline and keeps on climbing the ladder. His unrelenting focus allows others to go to extreme for madcap results. Both the goofball John Keating (Bud) and the sultry Emily Rogers (Hedy) are memorable in their caricatures. And the effervescent Elizabeth Telford (Rosemary) is outstanding as the lovestruck secretary.
Telford radiates a goodness that doesn’t seem to go with Ravelson’s tunneled vision. Then they singIt’s been a long day, along with the delightful Sharriese Hamilton (Smitty), and their harmonizing enforces a perfect match. The coupling works beautifully. The Rosemary duet between Ravelson and Telford is a hilarious rom-com movie condensed down into 5 minutes. The song has the laughs and the passion in the wooing, commitment, break-up, reconciliation whirlwind.
Set Designer Jeffrey Kmiec keeps the stage minimized for the large musical extravaganzas. His focal point, aided by Lighting Designer Erik Barry, is in the colorful backdrop. Side by side panels light up in different colors throughout the show. It has a game show look and a groovy 60s vibe. Costume Designer Bill Morey dresses the large cast in Mad Men finery. The ladies standout in their vintage looks. Morey impressively captures each personality. He puts Telford in perky pastels. Then, he drapes Rogers in tight-fitting va-va-voom.
HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING is a no-brainer. The infectious fun is the ideal spring fling.
Running Time: Two hours and forty-five minutes includes an intermission
At Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont
Book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert
Songs by Frank Loesser
Directed by Rob Lindley
Music direction by Kory Danielson
Choreography by Brenda Didier
Fridays at 8pm
Saturdays at 4pm and 8pm
Sundays at 2pm
Thru June 1st
Buy Tickets at www.grouptheatertix.com