Musical mocks money

Straight out of the Mad Men era of glamorous clothing, three-martini lunches and of course, casual sexism comes Foote in the Door’s newest main stage musical.

Directed by Adam Kuss, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying examines the 1960s ideal of a man’s world where taking command of a company was the pinnacle of success.

Compiled by the musical team of Frank Loesser, Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert, the storyline follows the rise of J. Pierpont Finch.

He is a nobody window washer who sails up the corporate ladder to become a high powered executive with a little handbook he bought titled How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

But there are a few landmines along the way, namely jealous individuals willing to stab the young upstart in the back while on a glorious rise to the top.

“We wanted a nice light comedy for the fall. We loved the upbeat music and thought it would be great for dance. It’s also a large ensemble show with a lot of roles that lends itself to giving opportunities to a lot of actors,” said St. Albert’s Russ Farmer.

He co-founded Foote in the Door along with Ruth Wong-Smith. In addition to producing the show, Farmer is playing the role of J.B. Biggley, the president at World Wide Wicket Company while Wong-Smith is cast as Rosemary, a secretary who falls in love with Finch.

For Farmer, the 1961 award-winning production is still relevant today.

“You can still recognize the major players. The social satire is still common. We’d like to think we’ve moved past the stereotypes, but we can still recognize the old boys club.”

Farmer and Wong-Smith’s first move was in hiring Adam Kuss as director. Farmer first worked with Kuss in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and a mutual rapport was nurtured.

“Adam has a great track record directing comedies. He has a great feel for comedies and he’s an experienced choreographer. We wanted someone with a solid background directing comedy, someone that could also bring dance experience to the show.”

The musical also brings together three other St. Albert connected artists. Rory Turner (Into the Woods) returns to the stage as Bud Frump, Biggley’s scheming nephew.

“He’s an absolutely wonderful character. He manipulates relationships. He’s an idiot and has a job largely because of connections. He’s lazy, privileged and comes across as morally shady.”

“Rory is his comparable age and I wanted to someone who could play a whining mama’s boy. Rory does that well and he sings, acts and has fabulous comedic timing.”

Another St. Albert actor is Caitlyn Tazzer who plays Smitty, Rosemary’s best friend. Smitty is a secretary and has adopted a worldly approach to life.

“Caitlin has a great look and she’s a fantastic singer.”

And the third local actor is Trevor Worden (City of Angels) who plays Mr. Bratt, Biggley’s right-hand man.

“Bratt knows how to play politics. He will talk to you honestly until J.B. asks him what he thinks and then he will agree with J.B.

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying opens at Campus St. Jean on Thursday, Nov. 9.