KU Theatre

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

Book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock & Willie Gilbert
Lyrics & Music by Frank Loesser
Originally staged by Abe Burrows

Directed by Mechele Leon
Musical Direction by Barbara Puckett
Choreography by Michelle Heffner Hayes
Scenic Design by Tammy Keiser
Lighting Design by Ann Sitzman
Costume Design by Caleb Stroman

First produced on Broadway in October 1961, this lively musical won seven Tony Awards and the 1962 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. When a young, bright, ambitious window-cleaner buys a book, How To Succeed In Business, he decides to follow its advice by joining the multi-national, but poorly connected, World-Wide Wicket Company. As he rises from the mail room to a vice presidency, he uses sneaky and dubious ways, always getting the person above him either fired or moved to another section of the company. With a brashly funny story and raucous score, this creative musical satirizes corporate politics, quiz show scandals, interoffice romance (and adultery and sexual harassment), nepotism, and college fight songs as it reminds us of what life is like in the world of big business.

 

<

Character

Cast Member

Smitty Tali Beth Friedman
Miss Krumholtz  Marilyn Haines
Hedy La RueCassandra Hollmann
Miss Jones  Nora Woolpert
Bud Frump Sam Beasley
Ovington Jeremy Ims
Rosemary Pilkington Mary McNulty
Mr. Bratt Garrett Lawson
J. Pierrepont Finch Elliot Metz
J.B. Biggley Jeff Sears
Twimble David Stogsdill
Tackaberry Jakob Wozniak
Gatch Logan Walker
Wally Womper Dr. Steve Bruner
Voice of The Book John Gronbeck-Tedesco

Ticket Prices

  • Public: $20
  • Senior Citizens & KU Faculty/Staff: $19
  • All Students: $10
  • February 27, 2009 - 7:30 p.m. - Crafton-Preyer Theatre
  • February 28, 2009 - 7:30 p.m. - Crafton-Preyer Theatre
  • March 4, 2009 - 7:30 p.m. - Crafton-Preyer Theatre
  • March 5, 2009 - 7:30 p.m. - Crafton-Preyer Theatre
  • March 6, 2009 - 7:30 p.m. - Crafton-Preyer Theatre
  • March 8, 2009 - 2:30 p.m. - Crafton-Preyer Theatre