The new production will run at the Southwark Playhouse from the 12th May until the 17th June.
It has been confirmed that director Georgie Rankcom will present a new production of Frank Loesser’s musical at the Southwark Playhouse later this year, with Michelle Visage as the voice of ‘The Book’. Further casting has yet to be announced.
A satire of big business and all it holds sacred, it follows the rise of J. Pierrepont Finch, who uses a little handbook called How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying to climb the corporate ladder from lowly window washer to high-powered executive, tackling such familiar but potent dangers as the aggressively compliant “company man”, the office party, backstabbing co-workers, caffeine addiction and, of course, true love.
The musical features a book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert and is based on the novel by Shepherd Mead. Frank Loesser has written the music and lyrics for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, having also written Guys & Dolls.
Director Georgie Rankcom (‘Anyone Can Whistle’) said: ‘This show has always intrigued me and to have the chance to bring it to life at Southwark Playhouse is incredibly exciting. We hope that this version will resonate with a new generation of theatergoers who will see just how brilliant and incisive the piece really is. Existing fans of the show will see and hear everything they love but presented by a cast and team who represent the society that we live in now. We plan to find new and exciting talents to bring this story to life as it’s never been seen before. We’re excited to embrace the absurdity of the show through a modern lens, whilst retaining all the wit and DNA of the original. Expect big laughs, big musical numbers and big heart, all in a small space that allows you to feel like you’re a part of the action.”
The creative team behind the production is also set to include: Choreographer Alexzandra Sarmiento, Musical Director Natalie Pound, Set and Costume Designer Sophia Pardon, Lighting Designer Lucía Sánchez Roldán, Sound Designer Jake Johnson and Orchestrator Stuart Morley.
To book tickets visit: https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/productions/how-to-succeed-in-business-without-really-trying/