Starting this Friday is the delightful musical comedy How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying , which takes the stage at the Renaissance Theatre in Huntington.
It's the third show of the year for ARTS, and it's a great, classic musical with great numbers and lots of laughs. To let you know more about the show and the cast, we'll be running a series of email interviews (collect 'em all!) - and let's kick it off with some comments from Stephen Vance, who plays the part of Bud Frump - the boss' nephew and someone who's also plotting to get ahead at any cost.
That's his photo, and here's what he had to say:
Q: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is a hit Broadway musical and movie - but in case our reader isn't familiar with it, tell us the basic story.
Stephen: The show is based on a book of the same name. The book was a parody of post-World War II business. Written as a comedic "How to Guide," the book focuses on the adventures of a young Mr. Finch trying to climb his way up the corporate ladder. This Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning show takes the characters from the book and hilariously creates a story based on these ideas. Clay McKnight is a wonderful performer to hang a show on. You will love him immediately.
Q: What's your favorite song in the show?
Stephen: My favorite song in the show changes nearly every day. This is a Frank Loesser score, and for me, it's right up there with his other great score for Guys and Dolls. After hearing the wonderful orchestra Sunday night that Lara Donahoe and Rebecca Harrison have assembled, the decision is even tougher. Today, I'm going to go with "Been a Long Day." The lyrics are clever, the music is catchy, and Amy Carlson is perfect as Smitty. It's the one that gets stuck in my head.
Q: Why did you want to be part of this show?
Stephen: This show is hilarious. It has great music. It is fun. This isn't Shakespeare but it's a good script. From the first time I saw it, I wanted to play Frump. To be a bad guy, and a funny bad guy at that, is a blast.
Q: What's your background in theatre?
Stephen: I've done a lot of community theatre in the last few years, both backstage and on stage. I started at HOT eight years ago with big musical comedies, and I am excited to be doing another here at ARTS. Most of the shows I've been a part of ARTS in the last couple of years have either been plays or pretty serious stuff. Although I really enjoy those plays, there is nothing quite as exciting as a big fluffy musical.
Q: Why would you recommend this show to our readers?
Stephen: Have I mentioned that this show is hilarious? Director Bil Neal has put together a fantastic cast. His passion for this project has inspired us all. Choreographer Coni Anthony has done a wonderful job keeping us moving from start to finish. I've already mentioned the music, and I could go on about the individual performers for paragraphs. Every night I see something new that makes me happy (and I've been here nearly every night for the past seven weeks). This isn't a show about a couple of good leads and an ensemble you don't notice. This entire cast is solid from top to bottom. This is what musical theatre is all about. There is an energy here that is different than most shows you will get a chance to see in a long time.
Q: Tell us the dates, times and place for the show.
Stephen: The show runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, May 24, 25, 26, 31, June 1, 2. Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Thanks, Stephen!
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