How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
at Irvine High School

Reviewed on March 11, 2015

Max Matuzak
Tri-School Theatre
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Irvine High Succeeds in ‘Business'

As the lights dim and the student orchestra begins, a spotlight focuses on a window washer, standing in suspended scaffolding and reading from a book. Suddenly he sings out, "This book is all that I need—all that I need to succeed!" So begins the meteoric rise of J. Pierpont Finch in Irvine High School's rendition of "How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying," a musical comedy about a young man's ascent from mailroom boy to chairman of the board in 1960s corporate America.

With his fresh-faced energy, Nathan Brown perfectly captures Finch, who succeeds by being both clever and conniving in the cut throat world of big business. Guided by the "Book Voice" of Nic Preijers, Finch is promoted up the corporate ladder in a few days. Along the way, he runs into Rosemary Pilkington, played by Marjie Mueller, the cheery, optimistic secretary. Mueller lights up the stage with her encouraging smile and pure voice. The two actors have palpable chemistry. When Mueller sings "Happy to Keep His Dinner Warm," her face softens as she convincingly transforms into a woman in love.

Ruling over the company is the over-bearing, short tempered boss J. Biggley, played by Josh Hoover, who towers over the rest of the cast, giving his character both literal and figurative stature. Yet when Biggley breaks into an ode to his alma mater in "Grand Old Ivy," Hoover dances with youthful glee, betraying the secret life of the staunch, old corporate boss.

Zena Khesbak plays Hedy LaRue, Biggley's mistress, who both hinders and helps Finch's ambitions. As Khesbak sashays across the stage, flaunting her formfitting dresses, she is confidence personified. Khesbak deftly shows the human side of the femme fatale, executing both confidence and insecurity with her rolling eyes and fluttering hands.

Preston Fox as Bud Frump, the ambitious and scheming nephew of J. Biggley, draws laughs from the audience with his sneaky, snake-like body movements and sly glances. In addition to his sharp comedic timing, Fox is also an accomplished singer and dancer. He especially shines during the song "Coffee Break."

Set designers Eben Campas, Jordan Fox, and Megan Chen give every location in the office its own colorful, unique setting, even creating functioning two- door elevators.

Irvine High's live orchestra adds polish to an excellent production, bringing this 60s time piece to life for a new generation.

Jason Marrs
Mission Viejo High School
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Irvine High Performs "How to Succeed" with Executive Style

As lights come up on a weary window-washer yearning to succeed, horns begin to blare as the stage comes alive and Irvine High's cast of "How to Succeed" begins to scramble up the corporate ladder in a flurry of executive style.

Unfulfilled in his life as a window-washer, J. Pierrepont Finch strives for success. Upon applying for a job at the World Wide Wicket Company, Finch aims to swiftly soar to the top, winning hearts and conning co-workers along the way. What follows is a sidestepping story of business, bias, and brotherhood.

Nathan Brown blossoms with optimistic energy as J. Pierrepont Finch. Fists clenched, back straightened, smile beaming, Brown bustles about with bravura. Upon learning advantageous information, a bell dings and Brown's body straightens; his face squeezing in wry excitement before he shoots a "weary executive grin" at the audience. However stiff and managerial while doing office duties, Brown becomes casually relaxed upon embracing his fiancee, Rosemary, played with wide-eyed infatuation by Marjie Mueller.

Preston Fox thrives as the whiny antagonist, Bud Frump. Promenading with entitled sway, Fox bursts into offices with a pompously privileged flourish. Upon learning disadvantageous information, Fox's jowls sink with indignation. Thanks to his lanky body, Fox's hilarious face stands tall in group numbers, or appears dissatisfied when his gangly legs brush the floor as he swivels on an office-chair. Josh Hoover is both intimidating and childish as the boss, J. Biggley. Employing physical juxtaposition, Hoover puffs his chest, evidencing prestige before collapsing into a state of relaxation as he passionately knit.

Overall the ensemble succeeds in diversity, the office-workers conveying their low status with lowered heads and hunched backs.

A standout number is "Coffee Break" wherein the office ensemble laments their lack of coffee. Caffeine fiends are seen limping in tandem like corporate zombies, tweaking with withdrawal.

Using period typewriters and phones, Irvine adds legitimate 50's flair to their scenes, incorporating the props into the songs as they mingle through the office.

The set conveys a quaint and colorful 60's office. By rotating versatile cubicles, the crew re-purposes set-pieces to create new office locations. Upstage, two large elevators slide open and shut in realistic fashion, creating interesting entrance and exit to the office.

Packed with passion and playfulness, Irvine High shows us the ropes of business in their corporately farcical production of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying".

Erin Bola
Fountain Valley High School
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Irvine High succeeds with "Business"

The corporate ladder is usually no easy feat to climb, but with the help of a special book, even the lowliest window washer can rise all the way to the top. In their production of the satirical "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying", Irvine High School brings the fast paced business world of the sixties to the stage with an amusing cast brimming with charm and hilarity.

Nathan Brown stars as the ambitious J. Pierrepont Finch, a young man determined to work his way to the highest office of World Wide Wickets. Brown is the very embodiment of the optimistic Finch as he bounces across the stage with a cheerful voice and an animated smile. His infectious energy remains strong throughout the show, especially during the song "Brotherhood of Man", in which he leads his formerly distrusting coworkers in a celebratory display of new found unity. Brown also establishes a strong connection with the lovestruck Rosemary, played by Marjie Mueller, as they grow from two shy and awkward coworkers into lovers open with their true feelings about one another.

As the over entitled nephew of the boss Bud Frump, Preston Fox is a sight to behold with his melodramatic sighs and sarcastic eye rolls. He is able to portray the ultimate mama's boy through his bratty diction, mocking facial expressions, and disinterested slouching. Fox clearly demonstrates the immaturity of his character with an indignant whine as he threatens to call his mother whenever things do not go his way.

The authoritative boss J. Biggley, portrayed by Josh Hoover, brings a touch of physical comedy to the show with his puffed-up chest and deep growl. Although he immediately seems intimidating and aloof, Hoover allows his character's harsh exterior to melt away as the show progresses, revealing his softer and more relatable side to the audience. This is most exemplified in the song "Grand Old Ivy", in which he and Finch energetically connect over their supposedly shared alma mater.

The sets, designed by Eben Campas, Jordan Fox, and Megan Chen allow multiple rooms to be arranged with minimal set pieces. Sound design by JJ Riddle also ensures that elevators consistently ring the moment a character presses the call button.

Irvine's "How to Succeed in Business" is a delightful show filled with humor and a message that success is always possible with hard work and dedication.