‘Business’ succeeds in White Plains
By Gary Chattman
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is the performance currently ending this first, joyful season at the White Plains Performing Arts Center of White Plains. The show, which ran on Broadway as a revival with Matthew Broderick a few years back, tells the story of a window washer (played by Broderick-clone Matt Wilson, as J. Pierrepont Finch, who lights up the stage with his verve and joie-de-vivre) who climbs the corporate ladder of the World Wide Wicket Company to try and reach the top. With joyful songs by Frank Loesser; with wonderful, spirited dancing by choreographer Lorin Latarro; with excellent direction by Eleanor Reissa, we see the pitfalls and successes that mirror the business world of our time. And we are thoroughly and happily entertained.
Nicholas Wyman plays J.B. Biggley, the corporate big shot with humor and dexterity, who went to “Grand Old Ivy”, and is the perfect foil for Wilson. The love interest stars Patricia Noonan as Rosemary Pilkington, who has a brassy talent that mirrors (or betters) much seen today on Broadway. But the standout performances (of the many standout performances) are those of Ron Destefano, as Bud Frump—the boss’ nepotismatic, inept nephew, who was previously the Lead Pianist/Singer aboard the Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas, who steals every scene he is in. Those must have been some entertaining cruises! The other standout is Linda Gabler, as Smitty, the “leader” of the secretaries, straight from Broadway’s “The Drowsy Chaperone”, who, one day I foresee, will pick up a Tony for a leading actress role.
So, here it is (and believe-it-or-not, is narrated by Tony-award-winner David Hyde Pierce), just 45 minutes from Broadway, a spirited, energetic, completely enjoyable performance of a Broadway classic, at a fraction of the cost of a Broadway show (some are now charging $135 for an orchestra ticket!); without problems of parking; with many fine restaurants and shopping enclosed in the White Plains City Center.
Thank you to Executive Producer Jack W. Batman and his staff for bringing Broadway to us. And thank you for this first year’s excellent productions: “Man of La Mancha”; “Ragtime”; “Ain’t Misbehavin’” and “How to Succeed.” We can’t wait until next year’s “Oliver”; “A Little Night Music” and “Hello, Dolly.”
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