'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying' - My Review

I attended the closing performance of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying presented by Oxford High School's Wolverine Players in their beautiful high school auditorium that was built in 2007. The drama program expressed thanks to their corporate sponsors, who presumably provided funds for the production values of the show. The director Stephen Dest's notes mentioned having to overcome the recent snowstorms in order to bring the show to life and promised the audience a "wonderful show, a musical filled with incredible songs and inspiring dances...and it's pretty darn funny too!" The show that his students obviously had a great time performing was all that and more.

How to Succeed is one of my favorite shows and this is the third time that I have reviewed it. It is a smart satire with greed, ambition, romance and can accommodate a large cast of ladies and a core group of gentlemen. This cast included a large group of secretaries in perfect costumes and a smaller group of very talented boys that rose to the challenge of the businessmen roles.

As the lead role of J. Pierrepont Finch, Senior James Kostka was a strong actor and dancer with plenty of charm. Senior Katelyn Speaker was a lovely Rosemary and a true triple threat who plans to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. Junior Kevin Schumitz played the executive named Gatch and Junior Travis Pyka was convincing as Bratt. The boss J. B. Biggley was played by a padded Tyler Panek (a sophomore) and pulled off the perfectly awful golf outfit. Senior Rachel Camarra was very cute as the sidekick Smitty and she showed off her lovely voice in "Been a Long Day."

Ashley Veltri was impressive as Executive Secretary Miss Jones. Mr. Twimble was played very well by Junior Katelyn Wentz, while Womper was played by Junior Brian Westgate. Junior Kayla Buypal was great in the featured role of Miss Krumholtz. Junior Matt Zeglen was good as Ovington and Junior Joshua Eichenbaum served offstage as The Voice of the Book until the curtain call. As the bombshell Hedy LaRue, Senior Jeanmarie Winger was appropriate for a high school production. She looked amazing in the outfits, acted the part extremely well, and didn't get to sing enough.

The only teen that I know personally is Junior Nate Seibert, who played the juicy role of Bud Frump to perfection. He is a fine comic actor with a super singing voice who can dance beautifully. Impossibly tall since the last time I saw him, he reminded me of a young Tommy Tune. He has wonderful stage presence for such a young man.

The set featured a city skyline with movable parts in front of it. The orchestra, under the direction of Greg Bell, included plenty of brass and sat across the back of the stage. Clever props like kazoos and Photoshopped posters added to the fun.  

The costumes by Rebecca Seibert (Nate's mom) were impressive. The Paris Original dresses were a hot pink halter number that fit the young ladies perfectly and the Pirate Dancers were just a good. I noticed how great the guys' business suits were as well. The lead characters all had a costume change for the second act. Kudos also to the choreographer Madalyn Sheehy; I recognized some of the moves from the Broadway show (somewhat of a miracle in itself as I am certainly not a dancer) and the kids did a great job in every dance number. It was a pleasure to watch them.

Overall, the Wolverine Players did a great job with a great show. The closing day audience clearly appreciated all the hard work that the students and adults who work with them had put into the production. In the past this young theatre company has produced Guys and Dolls and West Side Story. I look forward to attending their future productions.

Check out these amazing photos taken by Oxford HS Senior Ally Caple on Oxford Patch.