STONEHAM THEATRE PRESENTS "HOW TO SUCCEED"

(Stoneham, MA) This spring, Stoneham Theatre closes its 15th Mainstage season with the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical comedy How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Performances run from May 14–June 7, 2015. With a book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock, and Willie Gilbert, music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, based upon the satire by Shepherd Mead, How to Succeed… features great songs like “Coffee Break,” “Happy to Keep His Dinner Warm,” and “Brotherhood of Man.“ Originally, it was presented by Cy Feuer and Ernest H. Martin in association with Frank Productions. The Broadway sensation will be directed and choreographed by Elliot Norton and IRNE Award-winner Ilyse Robbins, who previously directed and choreographed 42nd Street and Thoroughly Modern Millie, among others, at Stoneham Theatre.

With the help of a little handbook entitled How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, the lowly but ambitious window washer J. Pierrepont Finch rises to the chair of the board of the World Wide Wicket Company. As he follows the advice of this step-by-step guide, he manages to hilariously get himself into and out of a variety of corporate-ladder-climbing situations in this toe-tapping musical comedy. When Finch falls for the beautiful secretary Rosemary Pilkington, will his handy manual also prove to be a guide for love?

“How to Succeed… is a fun and wickedly smart satirical look at big business. It shows men and women alike trying to climb the ladder. Although it was first produced in 1961, it is still, sadly, so relevant today when we look at corporate politics and Wall Street,” says Director/Choreographer Ilyse Robbins. “I am directing the show with a fresh perspective while trying to remain true to the original satire of the piece. The first Broadway production’s musical staging was done by Bob Fosse, and while I plan to keep some of his influences throughout, all the choreography is my own original creation. We are using a small stage, a unit set with travelers, and a smaller cast than usual, which pose unique and exciting challenges to work with.”

Tyler Bradley Indyck* makes his Stoneham Theatre debut as J. Pierrepont Finch. Romantic love interest Rosemary Pilkington will be played by Ephie Aardema*, last seen at Stoneham as Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie. Neil A. Casey* will take the role of J.B. Biggley, the ruthless President of the World Wide Wicket Company. Biggley’s nephew and Finch’s corporate nemesis Bud Frump will be played by Angelo McDonough, an alumnus of Stoneham Theatre’s young company. Hedy LaRue, J.B. Biggley’s sexy mistress, will be performed by Aimee Doherty*, last seen in Stoneham Theatre’s Double Indemnity. Other cast members include: Sirena Abalian, Katie Clark, Nicholas Davis, Sara de Lima*, Russell Garrett*, Laura Graczyk*, Bradley Jensen, Maria LaRossa, Kevin Patrick Martin*, John James Pirroni, Sophie Rich, Robert Saoud*, Nick Sulfaro*, and Ceit Zweil.

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying opens on May 14, 2015 and runs through June 7, 2015. Performances are Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 3pm & 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm. The Press Opening is Sunday, May 17, 2015 at 2pm. There is a post-show talkback on Sunday, May 17, 2015. Tickets are $50–$55. Senior tickets are $45–$50. Student tickets are $15 (with a valid ID). For more information or to purchase tickets, call Stoneham Theatre’s Box Office at 781-279-2200, or visit www.stonehamtheatre.org.