For everyone who has ever endured the frustrations of a corporate environment, here’s your chance for a thoroughly satisfying laugh.
Greenville Theatre is staging “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” Frank Loesser’s 1961 Tony Award-winning musical about ladder climbing in the workplace.
The show, which runs Sept. 5-22, is a favorite for director Max Quinlan, who performed the leading role of J. Pierrepont Finch in the musical as a budding 17-year-old actor in high school.
The story centers on the young Finch who strives to work his way upward through the bureaucracy, conformity and duplicity at the World Wide Wicket Company in New York City.
“It’s a great look into the corporate business world in the 1960s,” Quinlan said.
Finch’s guide to upward mobility is a book called, you guessed it, “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.”
“I have always thought it was a perfect classic musical,” Quinlan said. “It’s a great comedy and a great satire with an incredible score and Pulitzer Prize-winning script.”
The musical, with a 26-member cast, offers a mix of tuneful ballads and full ensemble showstoppers.
“I love a show that really showcases everyone on the stage,” Quinlan said.
Pursuing happiness
The musical is ideal to open Greenville Theatre’s 99th season, with its yearlong theme of “The Pursuit of Happiness,” Quinlan said.
“At the beginning of the story, Finch believes he understands what success means and he believes that will bring him happiness,” Quinlan said. “In the course of the show, he falls in love and that changes his trajectory, forcing him to redefine success and happiness.”
Michael Cherry serves as choreographer for the dance-heavy show. The musical direction is by Victoria Adams.
Even as the theater’s 99th season gets underway, Quinlan is hard at work preparing for the company’s 100th year. The theater will send out a survey to elicit suggestions from theater-goers for next season.
Quinlan promises a 100th season of old favorites as well as shows that have never been presented on the Greenville Theatre stage.
“It will celebrate our past, our present and our future,” he said.
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Want to go?
What: “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” music and lyrics by Frank Loesser
When: Sept. 5-22
Where: Greenville Theatre, 444 College St.
Tickets: $40; $38 for seniors and veterans
Info: 864-233-6238 or greenvilletheatre.org
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