The Sweet Smell of Success
Valley Broadway Series' "How to Succeed in Business Without Really 
Trying" at Gammage Auditorium
**** (out of *****)
Mark S.P. Turvin
(w) 965-1021  (h) 894-5443
I can be reached for comment via e-mail at: mspt@asu.edu

	Often, touring shows of famous old musicals are rehashes of 
the material with little added and even less offered. 
Surprisingly, though, the past three standards brought to Gammage 
by the Valley Broadway Series have been either revisionistic, 
true-to-the-original, or enjoyably revamped. With this weeks 
presentation of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really 
Trying," the latter is the most true. Director Des McAnuff has 
taken this campy early '60s musical, made famous by the talents of 
Robert Morse and Charles Nelson Reilly, and infused it with 
energy, boffo animation and lighting effects, and a supporting 
cast of immense talent. 
	Set in 1961 and based originally on the comedic book of the 
same name, the story follows business-savvy window washer J. 
Pierrepont Finch and his steno pool love interest Rosemary 
Pilkington as Finch meteorically rises through the fictional mega-
corporation World Wide Wickets from mail room to executive 
washroom. As is expected, he has many obstacles to deal with along 
the way, including a likeable though incompetent boss, J.B. 
Biggley; the sneaky nephew of the boss, Bud Frump; the bosses 
curvaceous and perilous girlfriend, Hedy La Rue; and a brush with 
Advertising. 
	The center of the revival on Broadway was the acting-talented 
though vocally-tentative Matthew Broderick. On tour, the show's 
center has been replaced with the slightly-less-acting-talented 
and even-more-vocally-tentative Ralph Macchio of Karate Kid fame. 
Mr. Macchio is solid in acting the role of the interminably lucky 
Finch, and is adequate in the dancing required for the role, but 
he is prone to occasional flat notes in his higher register. His 
impersonation of Matthew Broderick doing an imitation of Robert 
Morse is acceptable, but is one of the few hesitations to an 
otherwise spectacular evening. The other slight problems that 
exist in the cast are the singing of Richard Thomsen as J.B., the 
cartoonish presentation of Bud by Roger Bart, and the occasionally 
slipping accent of Pamela Blair's Hedy. With that said, these are 
minor quibbles, and are generally overshadowed by the power of the 
rest of the cast. 
	The greatest triumphs of the evening were Shauna Hicks' 
performance of secretarial sweetheart Rosemary, the ensemble in 
general, and the amazing technical elements that appeared 
throughout the show. Ms. Hicks presents the secretary with dreams 
of suburbia with power, humor, and a wonderful singing voice. 
Standouts among the rest of the cast include Susann Fletcher as 
Rosemary's comedic sidekick Smitty, and Tina Fabrique as J.B.'s 
dominating secretary Miss Jones. The rest of the ensemble was 
great, and Wayne Cilento's choreography added just the right touch 
to the corporate hijinks throughout. 
	The most dominant part of the evening was the fantastic, 
though almost too prevalent, lighting, scenic and video design. 
Howell Blinkley's lighting showcased all the colors of the early 
'60s, and John Arnone's monolithic office building set was graced 
with many windows which were actually video screens. This allowed 
the set to filmically move from location to location through the 
level of the windows of the office building, and even allowing 
songs to move to different locales by Batwin + Robin Productions' 
computer generated effects. While perfect and breathtaking 
visually, the stage design sometimes overshadowed the performances 
onstage.
	It is refreshing to see a revival given such a spectacular 
treatment, and still retain the general bounciness and hokiness of 
the play within. Despite the few hesitations in the cast, the show 
is wonderful and the scenic elements alone are worth the price of 
admission.

Production Details:
"How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," with music and 
lyrics by Frank Loesser, and book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock 
and Willie Gilbert
Valley Broadway Series
Gammage Auditorium, Tempe
695-3434 or 678-2222
November 5th-November 10th, 1996

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