How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
at Bishop Ireton High School

Reviewed on March 22, 2014

Noah Franklin
Walt Whitman High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Alex/Arl

Illuminating the hustle and bustle, the romance, and the corruption of a generic 1960s business, Bishop Ireton High School's production of How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying never missed a beat in its playful humor and sweeping musical numbers.

Based on a book by Shephard Mead, the show opened on Broadway in 1962 and has had two revivals and a film version. The show follows young J. Pierrepont Finch, who, following the instructions of a book sharing the name of the musical, has plans for a speedy rise to the top of a large company. He does just that, beginning in the mailroom and ending as Chairman of the board, finding love with a secretary named Rosemary along the way. He has clashes with the quirky yet business-minded CEO, J.B. Biggley, and his arrogant nephew Bud Frump.

Joey Ledonio shined as J. Pierrepont Finch. His rich, unwavering tenor was full of energy for the entire show, displaying an impressive vocal endurance. His bouncy, ambitious character took control of any scene he was in. Ledonio's facial expressions—whether it was a perfectly timed smirk at the audience or a manipulative pout—fit perfectly into Finch's amiable relationship with both his coworkers and the audience.

Angelica Miguel, as Rosemary, shared a sweet chemistry with Ledonio. Her charming stature and voice carried her blissful anticipation for Finch's attention, and her character's quick shifts in attitude towards the young businessman were adeptly executed.

Abby Giuseppe played Smitty, a secretary friend of Rosemary's. Guiseppe had a buoyant physicality that provided a humorous contrast to that of Miguel. Guiseppe showed her impressive range of vocal talent and comedic relief in the number, "Been a Long Day," where she played the jaunty matchmaker for Finch and Rosemary. Loren Gant played the stunning and mischievous secretary Hedy La Rue, complete with a nasal, high-pitched character voice. Gant flirted and tap-danced her way into being a hilarious and memorable part of the show.

Diego Rosende did a magnificent job of aging himself while holding onto the eccentric personality of J. B. Biggley. Rosende, alongside Ledonio, executed the intricate choreography of "Grand Old Ivy" with hilarious tenacity. Rolf Lundberg brought a lovable villain to the stage with his pathetic ego and failed attempts at outshining Finch. In one scene, Lundberg unleashed an unexpected dance move that involved frantic yet fluid leg movements and left the audience in stitches.

Other members of the company, such as Mr. Gatch (Ben Maalouf), Mr. Twimble (John Paul Ryan) and Mr. Bratt (Alex Peña) portrayed the scandal and swagger of a 1960s corporation with ease. The technical elements of the show helped encapsulate this setting as well. An impressive two-story set provided the building and offices, and the lighting team never missed a cue, with the different levels and rooms being illuminated at just the right times. The stage crew also brought out various desks and bathroom mirrors swiftly and inconspicuously. Costumes and make-up beautifully set actors in the correct time-period at the right ages.

Though some actors had issues with projection, the entire ensemble of the show skillfully portrayed the convoluted workings of a massive company. Technical and theatrical elements meshed together magnificently to produce paramount musical numbers and sharp, witty dialogue just the same. Bishop Ireton High School truly showed us how to succeed in How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying.

Laura Baker
W. T. Woodson High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Alex/Arl

Imagine what would happen if you had a little book telling you everything you need to know about how to put as little effort as possible into becoming a successful businessperson. Bishop Ireton High School has the answers in their production of How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying.

How to Succeed first graced the Broadway stage in 1961 with its upbeat songs by Frank Loesser and witty book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock, and Willie Gilbert. The musical was a huge hit, sweeping the 1962 Tony Awards and running for 1,417 performances on Broadway. Set in glittering 1960s New York, the plot follows J. Pierrepont Finch, an ambitious young man who hopes to become a big name in the World Wide Wicket Company. He meets a variety of crazy characters on his way up, including the beautiful secretary Rosemary, with whom he strikes up a romance.

Bishop Ireton's production was a success, with all aspects of the show flowing together to create a magical theatre experience. The costumes and set took us back in time to the 60s while the actors brought us into the story with them. The cast should be proud of their impeccable timing.

Joey Ledonio fearlessly led the production as J. Pierrepont Finch. He was 100% committed to his role, taking on the charismatic character with ease. Whenever he smiled, the audience smiled back. Angelica Miguel gave a sweet performance as the hopelessly in love Rosemary. Diego Rosende was an incredibly convincing as J.B. Biggley, the gruff older boss of World Wide Wicket. His mannerisms and voice set him apart and impressed the audience. Rolf Lundberg gave a hilarious performance as Bud Frump, the crybaby boss's nephew.

The supporting and featured actors helped give ‘How to Succeed…' that extra something. Abby Giuseppe brightened up the stage whenever she entered as the sassy Smitty. Loren Gant was hilarious and sexy as Hedy La Rue, a blonde bimbo who is sleeping with the boss. Her heavy New York accent was delivered with success. All of the supporting men gave convincing performances, especially Jon Paul Ryan as Mr. Twimble.

Many of the technical elements of ‘How to Succeed…' ran without a hitch. The beautiful, multi-story set brought us into the world of a New York skyscraper. The costumes were well made, although a few may not have been true to the time period. Hair and makeup successfully captured the era, especially in the perfected bouffants on the girls. The props were kept simple yet added to the set. The lighting was on point, never leaving the audience (or the actors) in the dark. Sound never missed any of the many cues, perfectly matching the actions on the stage. Stage manager Elizabeth Addington and tech director Annalin Woo should be proud for leading the production with their many technical achievements.

Bishop Ireton High School's How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying left their audience feeling happy and with a new appreciation for 1960s businessmen. The cast and crew gave their audience the best gift they can give: a good show.

Emilia Brennan
Oakton High School
Submitted for publication to ShowBizRadio.net

You'd think that for a window washer, there's not much higher to go. But for J. Pierrepont Finch, climbing the corporate ladder to success is the most exciting prospect on the horizon. Armed with a "how to" book, quick wits, and a sparkle in his eye, the audience watched as Finch charmed his way into the heart of business. Bishop Ireton High School's production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying captured the ins and outs of a big corporation, and left everyone feeling ready to conquer the world—without really trying.

Adapted from Shepheard Mead's 1952 novel, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying made its stage debut in 1961 and has continued delighting audiences since. The show chronicles a young man's rapid rise to corporate success. His charms, white lies, and "how to" guide help Finch navigate the office shark pool, including the inevitable obstacles of a pretty secretary and a blundering nemesis.

Joey Ledonio (Finch) played the suave young business beaver with an earnestness befitting a hopeful black tie. His vocal levels were at a professional level, and tireless physical animation gave him outstanding charisma on stage. Despite his double-dealing ways, the spark Ledonio poured into his character ensured the audience was always on Finch's side. Angelica Miguel (Rosemary) played an office secretary immediately taken by Finch. Miguel's strength was in her enchanting vocals, but she was always quietly engaged in her infatuation for the sneaky executive.

Abby Giuseppe played an office secretary, Smitty, and Rosemary's closest confidant. Her wry humor and blunt deliveries quickly made her an audience favorite (while her rumors of nymphomania made her an office favorite). Rolf Lundberg played the bratty, outrageous failure of a villain to perfection. His role of Bud Frump included an amazing dorky dance sequence. Overall, his failed attempts at corporate weasel-ry were so unsuccessful the audience couldn't help but adore him.

J.B. Bigley (Diego Rosende) was the boss-man himself. His ridiculous quirks such as his college "grrrroundhog" pride and his secret knitting obsession made him a comical authority figure. Other standouts included the promiscuous Hedy La Rue (Loren Gant), and the timid mail room head Mr. Twimble (Jon Paul Ryan).

The set successfully captured the office atmosphere with multiple levels of offices and an elevator in the lobby. The props however are what truly brought the show together. Various office furnishing, bar charts, and mailroom necessities were all detailed and brought the company world to life. Technically, the show was nearly flawless. Sharply timed light cues were "spot" on, and the sound was consistent with no feedback or drastic mike fallouts. Costumes were notably student created. Their time-period accuracy and general whimsy—bow ties, fuchsia "Paris Originals" and a knitted groundhog sweater—all created an aesthetically stunning performance.

While it was obvious that the cast and crew of Bishop Ireton High School's performance worked very hard, the performance appeared effortless. It was surprisingly easy to fall in love with every character on stage. After It's Been Long Day with only a few Coffee Breaks, Bishop Ireton delivered just the right excitement and charm to remind us all of the "Brotherhood of Man."

Taylor Fountain
Robinson Secondary School
Submitted for publication to Insidenova - Sun Gazette

Sex, ambition, greed and… tap dancing? Sounds like just another day at the office! Bishop Ireton High School's theatre department recently produced How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, a musical by Frank Loesser based off the book of the same name by Shepherd Mead.

Premiering on Broadway in 1961, "How to Succeed" went on to have a West End production, a national tour around the United States, and two Broadway revivals starring the likes of Daniel Radcliffe, Darren Criss, and Nick Jonas. The musical went on to win 10 Tony and Drama Desk Awards, including Best Musical in 1962. In 1967, David Swift directed a film adaptation.

The musical follows J. Pierrepont "Ponty" Finch (Joey Ledonio), an ambitious young window washer that aspires to climb the corporate ladder at any cost. When he discovers a book titled "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," he navigates the World Wide Wicket Company, a big business full of questionable business practices, questionable morals, and unquestionable cases of workplace sexual harassment. The nepotistic president of the company, J.B. Biggley (Diego Rosende) wants to see Finch succeed, but Biggley's nephew, Bud Frump (Rolf Lundberg) aims to sabotage the rookie's ambitions. Meanwhile, secretary Rosemary Pilkington (Angelica Miguel) aims to make a husband out of Finch.

Ledonio shone every second from his entrance as a window washer to the final curtain call. His powerful singing voice never wavered throughout the entire musical. In particular, the song "Brotherhood of Man" was so well performed by Ledonio and the other businessmen that it seemed natural to root for these men, even though their sleazy business practices were off-putting and their behavior towards women was misogynistic. Hedy LaRue (Loren Gant) and Smitty (Abby Giuseppe) brought some female power with bold personality and somewhat innuendous humor. Lundberg proved himself to be a fantastic dancer and actor, filled with conviction and never-before-seen dance moves.

The two-level set with rotating walls was adaptive to the several locations in the musical, including the mailroom, several offices, a rooftop party, and even the executive washroom. While most of the lighting was pretty standard, a spotlight would close in on Ledonio's face for a second whenever he progressed up the corporate ladder. The window washer's station was originally elevated off the ground and suspended from cables and was subsequently lowered, which was a very impressive special effect.

Coming from very humble origins, Finch was the epitome of the American Dream: to succeed, to marry, and to do it all as quickly and effortlessly as possible. However, through a lot of trying and effort, Bishop Ireton High School's production of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" was a success.

Kristen Popham
Chantilly High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com - Alex

The curtain parts and lights illuminate a man resting on a window-washer swing, calmly reading while drifting 10 feet off the ground. He is J. Pierrepont Finch, a man whose ambitions were unlimited and whose approaching success was attributed to the book in his hands. The audience's journey has only merely begun, for dazzling sixties attire, fast-paced, polished comedic beats, and endearing characterization was in store in Bishop Ireton High School's production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, musical by Frank Loesser with a book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock, and Willie Gilbert, is a recipient of high acclaim and seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Book. In addition, the musical team was presented with the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1962, and since then, has prompted several award-winning revivals. The story follows a young and enthusiastic man, J. Pierrepont Finch, whose thirst for power is fulfilled by a book that effortlessly transforms an ordinary window washer into chairman at the board of World Wide Wicket Company (literally, effortlessly). But as Pierrepont comfortably climbs the corrupt corporate hierarchy, he encounters love, companionship, and one ornery enemy in one of Broadway's classic comedies.

Bishop Ireton's performance was vivacious. The tireless, aggressive energy of the cast was commendably maintained and every actor was animated through the duration of the production. A fast-pace remained consistent and coherent and left the audience roaring with laughter. Among the vast and talented company was the Executives, whose individual characterization, though evident, was brought together to form a comical ensemble of power-hungry men. Their notable posture and mannerisms helped successfully depict them as middle-aged. The song, "Brotherhood of Man," highlighted these aspects, and more, such as impressive dancing, vocals, and the inclination that these actors were having the time of their lives.

Joey Ledonio (J. Pierrepont Finch) led much of the show's stamina and characterized Finch as a lovable and valiant protagonist whose sometimes-idiotic decisions are easily overlooked. Ledonio has impeccable vocal technique, facial expression, and stage presence. He made the art of musical theatre appear effortless; similar to the way Finch portrays his rise to successful businessman. His performance was supplemented by love interest, Angelica Miguel (Rosemary), whose alluring voice mixed well with that of Ledonio.

Rosemary's meddling best friend was Smitty, played by Abby Giuseppe. Giuseppe was magnetic; she harnessed Smitty's flamboyant personality with colorful physicality and vibrant faces. Another example of an actor grasping their ludicrous character was Rolf Lundberg as Bud Frump. He was the troublesome mama's boy who sought to provoke demise in mortal enemy, J. Pierrepont Finch. Through facetious (and wacky) dance moves and distinct vocal/physical choices, Lundberg depicted the classic tattletale we love to hate.

The technical aspects to the show were equally as effective as the acting. The lighting contributed to the feel of the show, which was everywhere from romantic to intense to light-hearted. The set was complex, yet not overpowering. The audience was inside the two-story World Wide Wicket building and saw activity on all floors because of the open landscape. Costumes, hair, and makeup contributed to the portrayal of the 1960s time period.

"Mediocrity is not a mortal sin," says J. Pierrepont Finch. However, lucky for Bishop Ireton, their production was far from mediocre.

Cynthia Mullins
West Potomac High School
Submitted for publication to Alexandria Times

Is it possible to succeed without really trying? Bishop Ireton High School answered this question with a musical that was so well produced it almost seemed effortless for this bunch!

How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying was first brought to Broadway in 1961 by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert through their adaptation of Shepherd Mead's satirical book of the same name. The musical has received much critical acclaim, the original company won seven Tony Awards including the prestigious Best Musical award. Since then the show has been revived twice to popular reception with stars such as Matthew Broderick and Daniel Radcliffe in the lead role.

How To Succeed follows the journey of J. Pierpont Finch (Joey Ledonio) as he decides to leave his window washing past behind and enter the world of business with the help of a little book of the same name, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. At first his path to the top seems like a straight shot, but Finch soon meets the head over heels secretary Rosemary (Angelica Miguel), the kooky best friend Smitty (Abby Giuseppe), the cry baby boss's nephew Bud Frump (Rolf Lundberg), Old Ivy grad and boss J.B. Biggley (Diego Rosende), and the one way ticket to Venezuela Hedy La Rue (Loren Gant) who come into his life and take him for one crazy ride at the World Wide Wicket Company.

Joey Ledonio as Finch proved what it truly means to be a leading actor. From his first appearance washing windows to his final bow, Ledonio was on point as the eager ladder climber. Every choice Ledonio made on stage showed his true understanding of Finch's goals and what he would do to achieve them, making him a real person instead of an easily achievable caricature. This was especially shown in Ledonio's personal love song, "I Believe in You."

Another knock-out was the hilarious Hedy La Rue (Loren Gant). Portraying a character that could easily go wrong, Gant portrayed Hedy with such a charming quality that the audience continued to root for this good intentioned but ditsy blonde as she accidentally got men transferred to Venezuela. A real delight was Gant's chemistry with Diego Rosende as executive J.B. Biggley as shown through their adorable duet, "Love From A Heart of Gold."

The real stars of the show however proved to be the male ensemble of the Executives. This group gave new meaning to the term, boy's club, with their on point comedy and brotherhood. Consistently throughout the show the group was reminiscent of the popular TV show, Mad Men, with their mannerisms and interactions with the female secretary ensemble. The shining moment for these triple-threat boys was the show stopping number, "Brotherhood of Man" choreographed by the talented Sarah Robertson, Caroline Mea, and Loren Gant.

The actors weren't the only draw-dropping aspect of the show. AnnaLin Woo, Samantha Christoff, Megan Brusnahan, and the Bishop Ireton Stage Crew blew the audience away with the fantastic design and construction of the set that effectively brought to life the World Wide Wicket Company. This two-level set was beautifully constructed and literally gave the show new levels as we were able to see things going on in different floors at the same time, as would be in a real office building.

Whether it was the actors, the choreographers, or the technicians, there was not a single low point of this amazing show. Take a wire to the White House: Watch out for Bishop Ireton Theatre!

Maggie Hardy
Hayfield Secondary School
Submitted for publication to The Catholic Herald

Bishop Ireton Theatre Arts showed the audience how to succeed with a great show in their entertaining and fun performance of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Based on the book that shares its title by Shepherd Mead, the satirical musical made its way onto the Broadway stage in October 1961 and ran for a whopping 1,417 performances. With a book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock, and Willie Gilbert and music by Frank Loesser, the show went on to win seven Tony awards, and a Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The show was recently reopened on Broadway, starring Daniel Radcliffe, John Larroquette, and later Darren Criss. The story follows J. Pierrepont Finch, a lowly window-washer who, with the help of the title book, rises to the top of the World Wide Wicket Company. Hilarity ensues as Finch climbs his way "without really trying" to the top, amidst beautiful secretaries, scheming co-workers, and the finer details of business.

Joey Ledonio (J. Pierrepont Finch) dazzled the audience with his comedic timing and constant energy, whether he was dancing a crazy college jig or flashing the audience his cheeky smile. Additionally, Ledonio's impressive voice brought even more life to the character while keeping up vocally with his leading lady, Angelica Miguel (Rosemary). Miguel's beautiful vocals tackled each song smoothly with grace and gorgeous tone.

Abby Giuseppe (Smitty) stole the audience's heart with her high energy and full dedication to her comedic, over the top character of secretary matchmaker. Similarly, Rolf Lundberg (Bud Frump) had the audience in stitches as the devious jealous co-worker with his hilarious physicality. Loren Gant also had the audience cracking up with her performance of Hedy La Rue, the ditzy secretary with a heart of gold, and her comedic delivery.

Overall, the show found how to succeed in its work as an ensemble. While there were occasionally issues with diction, the cast made up for any small problems with endless energy and admirable commitment. The cast had commendable chemistry, which showed in big company numbers such as "Coffee Break" and "Brotherhood of Man."

An impressive set and carefully constructed costumes really put the production over the top. The two-story set and simulated elevator brought the needed atmosphere of a big business firm, and the stage crew worked excellently to transition the set smoothly whenever necessary. There were also many impressive examples of student-made costume pieces. Although there were occasional technical issues, the lighting was solid throughout the performance, never leaving the audience in the dark and helping the ensemble to succeed.

All in all, Bishop Ireton's production of How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying was an enjoyable success. It was clear, however, that the cast and crew did not put on the show without really trying – their effort and dedication was apparent throughout the performance.