BWW Reviews: Otterbein Production of HOW TO SUCCEED Succeeds

By PAUL BATTERSON

If it were written today instead of 1961, HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING could have easily been titled MAD MEN: THE MUSICAL. But the cast and crew of Otterbein University's production makes the Frank Loesser musical seem just as relevant today as it did 40-some years ago.

Although he's only a freshman, Jordan Donica delivers a powerhouse performance as J. Pierrepont Finch, an ambitious window washer determined to climb up the corporate ladder at World Wide Wickets. The 6-foot-5 singer creates a larger-than-life persona on stage. Every time Finch gets away with something on his way to the top, a triangle chimes and Donica gives the audience a knowing wink.

Madison Tinder, who plays Finch's secretary/girlfriend Rosemary, is the perfect corrective measure to Donica's Finch. She portrays Rosemary as a cautious but enamored co-worker. She loves Finch but struggles to see if he loves her back or is she just another rung he will step on his way to the top. Her first offering of "Happy To Keep His Dinner Warm" in the first act comes off as wistful longing. The reprise of the song in the second act is far more cautious and skeptical, a perfect reflection of her emotions.

While those two are the focal points of the show, what makes the Christina Kirk directed production come off so beautifully is the well-defined play of the supporting actors. James Scully comes off as instantly dislikable as Bud Frump, which is just what you want from the backstabbing, nepotism-challenged nephew of the boss J.B. Biggley (played by Preston Pounds). The first confrontation between the go-getting Finch and the lazy Frump is hilarious with Scully standing on his tiptoes while trying to Finch stare down the much-taller Donica.

Heather Dell shines as Smitty, the wise, world-weary secretary and Rosemary's confidant. Dill playing Cupid to the inner thoughts of Rosemary and Finch during "It's Been A Long Day" is one of the highlights of the show.

Other standout performances include Jared Howelton (Mr. Twimble and Ovington), John Henry Carter as (Jenkins), Marina Pires (Miss Jones), Lizzie Wild (Hedy LaRue) and Corinne Munsch (Miss Krumholtz). It'd be a mistake not to mention the performance of the 22-piece Otterbein Orchestra conducted by Lori Kay Harvey.

The show, which closes May 4, sets a very high bar for Otterbein's coming shows ALMOST, MAINE (May 30-June 8), BOEING BOEING (June 13-29) and LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (July 11-27) to follow.