After months of hard work and preparation, Aragon’s Drama Department debuted this year’s fall musical, “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” on Thursday, Nov. 15 after a preview night on Wednesday, Nov. 14. Over the course of the past two days, audiences have been entertained by performances in the new theater.
A satirical comedy, “How to Succeed” follows the story of window washer J. Pierrepont Finch, played by senior Kevin Dwyer. Finch, who adopts the advice of a book entitled “How to Succeed in Business Without Trying,” lands a job in the mail room of the World Wide Wicket Company and climbs the corporate ladder. Along the way, he confronts antagonism in the form of the company’s boss’ nephew, Bud Frump, played by junior Hayden Phinney, and encounters the enamored advances of secretary Rosemary Pilkington, played by senior Laynie Mitchell.
Mitchell notes, “As my last musical at this school, it’s just been really special. It’s just been a way to consecrate the new theater and bond with new people … This is the biggest part I’ve ever played. It’s a different pressure, but it’s the best kind there is. I’ve had to push myself to be as big as I can be on stage.”
Senior Skylar Assaf, who plays Miss Krumholtz, adds, “I think what makes this show great is how you can be vulnerable with your emotions on stage with this cast. We are unified by that, we are all acting together more comfortably.”
Junior Brendan Stanton, who plays a myriad of roles, simply notes, “There’s something interesting about being in the past and playing a character completely unlike myself for the most part. It’s quite enthralling. I dislike having to wear a used football uniform…I [also] have to put on a fat suit…It makes me fat and angry.”
Commenting on the era in which the production takes place, senior Christy Conway, who plays a cheerleader and secretary, says, “Our costumes are based on 1960’s business attire, which is when the show takes place. The TV show “Mad Men” was a major source of inspiration for most costumes.”
Freshman Olivia Tandowsky who plays the same roles, adds, “We’re all dressed for the workplace. All of the girls have cat eyes, bright lips, pointed shoes, and big jewelry. And of course, the hair is always big, with a ton of hairspray.”
To ‘consecrate the new theater’
For the large audience, the parking situation appears to be convenient for patrons. Director Shane Smuin reports, “My understanding is that the people can go park over in the student parking lot, and obviously on the Alameda. For students with driving licenses, and for the drama boosters, and for myself and other artistic staff, we have parking spots behind the building.”
The old theater had 335 seats whereas the new theater has just under 620. Smuin states, “I hope it will be a full house every single performance.”
Tandowsky adds, “The sets are amazing and I think overall the cast will have something to live up to. We need to be as great as the new theater.”
Aside from the added pressure of potentially performing before a larger audience, the new theater provides many new enhancements to the show production. Smuin reports, “We actually have an orchestra pit, among other major acoustic improvements. We have actual dressing rooms as opposed to makeshift storage rooms that were turned in to dressing rooms. We have a rear projection system. That [screen] is like a big movie screen so we can show a still image or a moving image that fits the story. There’s a big technological improvement as far as theatrical backdrops go.”
Choreographer Lisa Cross adds, “The entire feeling is different. The audience will be more comfortable. The sound is going to be better. I think it’s fantastic. The stage is so much deeper. There is that possibility of more movement in the choreography.”
It was sad to see the old theater go, but this musical will be a great start for the new theater. Regarding the old theater, Smuin concludes, “Lots of memories. Lots and Lots of memories. It was bittersweet to see it go.”
