How to Succeed in Business Without Even Trying
at Albert Einstein High School

Reviewed on March 14, 2015

Hailey Scherer
Flint Hill School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Montgomery

Albert Einstein High School could very well write a piece entitled How to Succeed in Performing a Musical, as they exemplified such knowledge while performing How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying on 15 March 2015. With colorful sets and costume designs, strong lead actors and vocalists, and consistently high energy, at times an audience member might forget that this was indeed a high school drama performance, swept up into the professional-like world that Einstein cast and crew members created.
J. Pierrepont Finch is a window-washer who subscribes himself to the theories of a book (called How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying) and tries to rise through the ranks of a large corporation. Along the way, he comes across characters such as Rosemary Pilkington, a cheerful, amorous secretary, and Bud Frump, the whiny nephew of the lead executive who hired him. The musical itself started as a book written by Shephard Mead in 1952; Frank Loesser adapted it into a musical, and it premiered on Broadway in 1961, a modern musical at the time.

Carlos Castillo (Finch) won the audience over from the very first moment. His engaging physicality exuded confidence and charisma, his facial expressions were charming, he handled fast dialogue with consistently crystal-clear diction, and he scored many laughs from the audience with his deft comedic timing. Vocally, his use of just the right amount of vibrato displayed his technical skill, and his pleasant tenor voice was a highlight of the show.

Lily Habenstreit (Rosemary) added life to her role (which is written as rather one-dimensional), all the time cheery, eager, and genuinely funny and likeable, allowing the audience to sympathize with her. Her excellent vocal technique shone through during each of her solos, which were also important highlights of the show.

Jordan Hill (Bud Frump) positively thrilled the audience every time he came on stage, with his terrific comedic timing and total dedication to character. He threw himself into hilarious dance moves, winning laugh after laugh. From his physicality to his voice, he carried the whiny, obnoxious character of Bud Frump throughout his entire being – without ever being truly annoying to the audience (only hilarious). He first established himself as one of the principal stars of the show in "Coffee Break," and continued his very successful performance through the end of the show.

The ensembles were dressed colorfully and well, with costumes that grabbed the eye and reflected the 1960's era. Two numbers really stood out with regard to technicality and high energy: "Coffee Break" and "Brotherhood of Man". Characters in general rarely disengaged from the action on stage or their characters, and commanded the attention of the audience, especially during these especially energetic numbers.

The set pieces were creatively and skillfully crafted and painted by students. Audience favorites included a realistic-looking elevator (door), sink pieces (used in "Gotta Stop That Man/I Believe in You"), and a conference table that used a mathematical optical illusion technique to make it appear as if the table were really long. Most pieces were mobile, allowing for easier set changes, an important consideration during the design process.

Though sound issues and awkward set changes sometimes broke the spell, for the majority of the musical, it felt as if thespians much older than high school students had put this musical together so successfully. The fact that high school students were able to create such an effect, through the set, costumes, acting, and singing, is truly impressive, and makes for a very memorable show.

Sophie Welber
Walt Whitman High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Montgomery

With coffee deprived office workers, a boss who knits sweaters and more employee turnover than a department store after Christmas, the World Wide Wicket Company may not have survived in the real world, but it certainly flourished in Albert Einstein High School's production of How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying.

Frank Loesser's flashy musical satire has received critical acclaim from its debut on Broadway in 1961 to its recent revival with Daniel Radcliffe in 2011. Based on the book by Shepherd Mead, How to Succeed is the comic story of an ambitious window washer J. Pierrepont Finch and his rise through the corporate ranks with the help of a mysterious book that tells him exactly how to succeed.

Mr. Finch (Carlos Castillo) enters the World Wide Wicket Company as a lowly mailroom worker but strategically climbs his way up the ladder with spur-of-the-moment thinking and witty ruses. Castillo's energy and charisma created a natural and believable character and his chemistry with secretary Rosemary Pilkington (Lily Habenstreit) shaped their charmingly awkward relationship. The vocal talents of both Habenstreit and Castillo were showcased in numbers such as "Been A Long Day" and "Rosemary," where their voices blended in solid harmonies.

These numbers also featured strong singing from Rosemary's friend Smitty (Lauren Pina) and the show's highly theatrical villain, Bud Frump (Jordan Hill). As the boss' nephew, Bud Frump expects to be promoted despite his incompetence and feels threatened by Finch's sudden success. Hill's portrayal of Frump as sassy and childish paired with his impressive vocal performances created a memorable character that the audience couldn't help but feel bad for. He also had several exaggeratedly comedic but well executed dance breaks that captured the satirical nature of his role.

Daniela Quintero-Rodriguez paired strong solo vocals with an impressive New York accent in her portrayal of Hedy LaRue, the bubble-headed bombshell who attracts the attention of every man in the office. Aidan Bradley also impressed in his energetic appearances as both the loyal mailroom head Mr. Twimble and Chairman of the Board Wally Womper.

How To Succeed is a challenging show for set designers with its numerous settings that must reflect both the vibrancy of the late 1950's and a corporate environment. Artistic designer Sophia Holland rose to the task, and her careful research and planning led to interesting set pieces with appropriate color schemes and patterns for the period. The stage featured a large window frame with a cartoonish city backdrop and numerous movable pieces that created distinct office spaces.

Impressive silhouettes at the beginning of two scenes and the female characters' brightly colored dresses added to the visual appeal of the show. Many actors also sported realistic looking wigs that captured the style of the 50's perfectly.

Just as J. Pierrepont Finch climbed the corporate ladder, Einstein's production of How to Succeed rose to the top with its extraordinary vocal talent, vibrant visual elements, and memorable characters.

Olivia Hunt
Langley High School
Submitted for publication to Maryland Theatre Guide

A satirical outlook on corporate America, Albert Einstein High School's production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is a blast. This witty musical by Frank Loesser was first performed in 1961, based on the book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert, and has won both the Tony Award for Best Musical and a Pulitzer Prize. Set in 1960's New York, the show follows young J. Pierrepont Finch, a humble window washer turned big-shot executive after entering the Word Wide Wicket Company in search of a job. He weasels his way around the office, using his charisma to get in good with the higher-up employees, all by following the advice of a little handbook called "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying."

The role of over-eager and sly Finch, most recently played on Broadway by Danielle Radcliffe, Darren Criss and Nick Jonas, needless to say requires high-spirits and charm. However, Einstein's Carlos Castillo mastered the role, providing an unmatched level of energy and impressively delivered quick lines while maintaining crystal clear diction. Lily Habenstreit played Rosemary Pilkington, Finch's doe-eyed love interest, with reverence and her smooth vocals captivated the audience in her execution of "Happy to Keep His Dinner Warm." The chemistry between Finch and Rosemary was consistent throughout the show, and grew especially strong during the endearing number "Been a Long Day."

The supporting and featured actors added even more fun and eccentricity to ‘How to Succeed...'. Aidan Bradley was hilarious in the explosive role of mama's boy Bod Frump, the nephew of boss J. B. Biggley and chief rival of Finch. Lauren Pina as the sassy secretary, Smitty wowed the audience with her strong vocals. Daniela Quintero-Rodriguez also gave a seamless performance of Hedy LaRue, Biggley's vacuous and attractive mistress, sporting a realistic New York accent and plenty of attitude.

Several ensemble members stood out in their commitment to their character, particularly the Scrubwomen, whose slow squats to pick up objects and groans of annoyance added a burst of hilarity. The show's set was very impressive, boasting a student-designed cityscape as the backdrop behind clear windows and a wall-length shelf that aided in the transition from an office to a mailroom without a glitch. Several set-pieces also attracted attention, particularly an elevator that opened and closed and mobile bathroom sinks.

The show's costumes were equally notable, as the women's secretary outfits presented every color of the rainbow and while remaining true to the time period, and contrasted nicely to the men's sharp grey suits. The World Wide Wicket Company logos on workmen uniforms were also a nice touch. Although transitions between scenes were choppy at times, most of the show's technical elements were fluent.

The show came to a strong end with the performance of "Brotherhood of Man", a toe-tapping good tune that is sure to get stuck in your head.

Rather than shying away from some of the musical's provocative themes, the cast boldly embraced the sexist stereotypes of the workplace that the show mocked. Albert Einstein High School's production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying was a success, and one that truly appeared effortless.

Eva Petersen
Fairfax High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com - ARL/MC/Mont/DC

It didn't matter whether the silly employees of the World Wide Wicket Company were working hard or hardly working, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at Einstein High School was always fresh and fun to watch from beginning to end. Eye catching elements from the lead actor's expressive face to the rainbow of costumes were the cherries on top of the theatrical sundae.

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying opened on Broadway in October of 1961. It was critically acclaimed, winning the 1962 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It has been revived on Broadway twice with many famous actors in the lead role, including Matthew Broderick, Daniel Radcliffe, Nick Jonas and Darren Criss. The famous story is set in the swinging ‘60s at the fictional World Wide Wicket Company. The show satirizes the work environment of the time, acknowledging sexism and nepotism with a lighthearted song and dance.

Fronting the show was the effervescent Carlos Castillo in the lead role of J. Pierpont Finch. Castillo maintained his incredibly high level of energy throughout the show, brightening every scene he bounced into. His excellent comedic timing kept the show moving at a good pace. Playing his love interest, Rosemary, was the charismatic Lily Habenstreit. The two had adorable chemistry that showed best in Finch's sweet ode to his beloved; "Rosemary".

The hilariously bumbling Bud Frump was played by Jordan Hill with a show stealing panache. The exaggerated voice and posture he adopted, as well as his occasional spontaneous dance breaks, kept the audience roaring with laughter. Another standout was Daniela Quintero-Rodriguez as the alluring secretary Hedy LaRue. Quintero-Rodriguez owned every scene she strut across, adopting a humorous and realistic New York accent. Aidan Bradley had a number of funny bit parts, including Wally Womper and a custodian who bore an uncanny resemblance to Einstein High School's namesake. Playing the secretary Smitty was Lauren Pina, whose lovely voice made "Been a Long Day" a joy to listen to.

The brilliantly colored sets designed by Sophia Holland completed the show's over the top ‘60s vibe. Costumes managed by Sehee Curro also kept the mod theme. Many of the characters were wigged, making for a visually appealing sea of beehives and bouffants. All of the wigs were well secured and enhanced the characters of those who wore them.

Through peppy vocals and brightly colored costumes and sets, the students of Einstein High School made working nine-to-five seem like a nonstop party.

Maddie Helmstadter
Freedom High School
Submitted for publication to Montgomery Gazette

Have you ever wished that you were just a short read away from success? In the show, "How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying", J. Pierpont Finch finds just that, all in one simple and easy how-to guide! The show follows Finch through his journey to the top of the ladder to success, satirizing all aspects of the business-world through lively and comedic musical and dance numbers. The show is a book-turned-musical which was first performed in 1961 on Broadway, and the 50th anniversary-revival was performed only a few years ago (starring Daniel Radcliffe as J. Pierpont Finch). In Albert Einstein High School's production of the musical, the intricate ironies and impossible plotline of "How to Succeed" provide for hours of laughter and excitement.

As the first scene begins, the first chapter of the book is read aloud—Finch excited to begin his time in the World Wide Wicket Company. Although he starts as just a window washer, through the guidance of his how-to guide, sheer luck, and coincidence, he quickly rises "onward and upward" in the business world. Actor Carlos Castillo from the Einstein S.T.A.G.E., playing Finch, immediately engages his audience using distinctive gesticulations and facial expressions, along with his voice, to clearly express his character's motives. As the show progresses, Finch meets secretary Rosemary Pilkington, played by Lily Habenstreit, and the relationship between the two characters is portrayed with a perfect balance between awkwardness and chemistry. Pilkington wins over the audience as she sings of Rosemary's aspirations for her future with Finch in "Happy to Keep his Dinner Warm", among other numbers. Their dedication to their roles leave Castillo and Pilkington with audience members emotionally attached to Finch and Rosemary, and intrigued by their stories.

Although the entire cast remained committed to their roles, actors Lauren Pena, Jordan Hill, and Daniela Quintero-Rodriguez (playing Smitty, Bud Frump, and Hedy LaRue, respectively) played their characters especially well. The energy put in by Hill and the commitment to his character was extremely entertaining, and Pena's consistency in character added vigor to each of their scenes. Quintero-Rodriguez's perfect portrayal of a beautiful but dim-witted New Yorker was most definitely a highlight of the production. However, without many more minor characters and the ensemble members, "How to Succeed" would not be possible. These cast members worked well with the fun choreography and used the stage space well, creating the world of the World Wide Wicket Company for the audience to explore. Some of the most exciting musical numbers were, "A Secretary is Not a Toy," "Gotta Stop That Man," and "Brotherhood of Man," all of which maintained a consistent energy by all cast members.

It was clear that a lot of work was put into the technical aspects of Albert Einstein High School's "How to Succeed"—the hand-stenciled set and era-appropriate props, make-up and costumes, along with the general smoothness of the scene changes contributed to an overall successful creation of the New York business-world environment. Among other categories, marketing and publicity, lighting design, and stage management were all planned extensively and the work put in was clear throughout the production. Audience members will leave Albert Einstein High School humming "Rosemary" and dreaming of their next "coffee break," happy to have spent their time seeing "How to Succeed."