‘How to’ succeeds

April 2, 2012

3 min read

Nicholas Grossaint and Kelly Coombs Johnson star UVU’s latest production. Photo courtesy of UVU Theater Department.

The theater department’s latest production “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” delights audiences with wit, satire and just enough innuendo.

The business world can be a rough place for young hopefuls wanting to move up. But the theater department’s latest production shows you can get ahead without really trying.

The musical “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” tells the story of young J. Pierpont Finch, played by Nicholas Grossaint, who learns how to get ahead in the cooperate world by following the instructions in a self-help book of the same title. Set in 1961, the play is rife with satire and commentary on cooperate American that still rings true today.

As with nearly every production here on campus, the ensemble cast is what makes the show. Each actor or actress is dedicated to his or her respected role and the cast works together to create an atmosphere that is charming. During the song “A Secretary Is Not A Toy,” the male cast expresses their sexual frustrations of working with young, attractive female secretaries. While the cast works as a cohesive whole, each actor or actress brings something unique to their own character. Often these little quirks can be spied by the audience and greatly add to the overall production.

One of the tricky aspects of the show is the subtle sexual references that may turn off a more conservative audiences. However, the choices of director David Tinney turns those sexual references into tongue-in-cheek innuendos that leave even the stuffiest shirts chuckling.

The comedic chops of the cast is something to behold. The best example is Benjamin Henderson. Playing J.B. Biggley, the CEO of the World Wide Wicket Cooperation. Henderson is able to play his role with comedic precision that is hilarious. He is able to be the brash business man, powerful and intimidating while being one of the funniest members of the cast.

Satirical and witty with just a dash of innuendo, “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” is delightful and well worth seeing. The show runs from March 29 – April 21 excluding Sundays from 7:30 to 9:45p.m.