Performances of the musical, which features music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and a book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert, begin May 13, prior to an official opening May 21. The run continues through July 13 on the Walnut Street Theatre Mainstage.
Directed by Casey Hushion, the cast will feature Jeremy Morse as J. Pierrepont Finch, Becky Gulsvig (Hairspray, Legally Blonde) as Rosemary, Brian Shepard as Bud Frump and Mark Jacoby (Sweeney Todd, Show Boat) as J.B. Biggley.
The cast also includes Joilet F. Harris (Hairspray) as Miss Jones, Amy Bodnar (The Producers) as Hedy La Rue, Cary Michele Miller (Elf) as Smitty, Jeffrey Coon (The Music Man) as Bert Bratt, Scott Langdon (Love Story) as Milt Gatch and Ed Ramonoff (The Sound of Music) as Mr. Twimble and Wally Womper. The voice of the narrator will be provided by Jeffrey Coon.
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.
Here's how the production is billed: "A musical satire of 1960s big business and all it held sacred, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying follows the rise of J. Pierrepont Finch, who uses a little handbook called 'How To Succeed In Business' to climb the corporate ladder from lowly window washer to high-powered executive. Along the way he tackles such familiar, but potent, dangers as the company man, the office party, backstabbing co-workers, caffeine addiction and, of course, true love. This blockbuster musical comedy features a beloved score packed with such hit standards as 'I Believe in You,' 'Happy to Keep His Dinner Warm,' 'The Company Way,' 'Been a Long Day,' 'Rosemary' and 'Brotherhood of Man.'" How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying first opened on Broadway in 1961 and was revived in 1995 and 2011. It was adapted into a motion picture in 1967.
The production will feature choreography by Michele Lynch, scenic design by Robert Andrew Kovach, lighting design by Paul Black, costume design by Lisa Zinni and sound design by Craig Beyrooti.
Tickets and more information are available by calling (215) 574-3550 or visiting WalnutStreetTheatre.org.
