"How to Succeed..." Interview #6

    It’s time for our next e-interview with the cast of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, which wraps up this weekend at the Renaissance Theatre in Huntington.

   Let’s hear from the guy at the top of the cast list. Clay McKnight plays J. Pierrepont Finch, a young man who’s determined to get ahead in the world of business. (That's him in the photo by Stephen Vance.)

   Clay’s a terrific actor, singer and dancer, most recently starring in the ARTS production of Caberet.

   Here’s what he has to say about his latest project:

Q: What is the play How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying about?

Clay: “How to Succeed” is a hilarious musical comedy about an eager, bright eyed young man who finds a book on How to Succeed in Business. He follows the chapters in the book to try and master the art of getting ahead, while facing the normal everyday life at the World Wide Wicket Company!

Q: Tell us about the character you play.

Clay:  I play the role of Finch. A window washer who finds said book and very carefully works through it.

Q: What is your favorite song from the show?

Clay: This is such a hard question to answer because this show is packed full of amazingly catchy tunes! If I had to choose one though I like “I Believe In You ,” one of the love songs of the show. It's not like your conventional love song most theater goers are used to.

Q: Why did you want to be part of this show?

Clay: I wanted to be a part of this show because it is an upbeat fun show that uplifts everyone! To quote our amazing director Bil Neal, "This musical is full of fluff and what could be more fun than that?"

Q: What's your background in theatre?

Clay: My background in theater started at a young age, performing in community theater productions in Ashland. In high school I had the opportunity to attend Kentucky Governors School for the Arts. After high school I started taking more dance classes and ended up competing in a number of national dance competitions up to the end of 2011 where I started to focus on my career as a Personal Banker for PNC Financial Group. I came up to ARTS to be a part of their Company and got to start out this season as Cliff in Cabaret.

Q: Tell us the dates, times and place for the show.

Clay: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at the Renaissance Center will be presented May 31 and June 1 at 8 p.m. and June 2 at 2 p.m.

   Thanks, Clay!