Set in the business world of the 1960s, “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” successfully brought the audience back in time through great acting, singing, and dancing, proving to be a must see musical.

Finch (Robbie Gartlan), who starts as a low-paid window washer, is one of the main characters. Through the help of his book “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” Finch starts in the mailroom of the World Wide Wicket Company and climbs the corporate ladder. Gartlan proves to be a great actor with a humorous smile towards the audience every time he succeeds in sucking up to his current boss.

Finch immediately catches the eye of a secretary Rosemary (Abby Huskisson). Rosemary shows overwhelming interest in the business man that with great acting seems very realistic. In addition, Rosemary has her very own secretary sidekick Smitty (Maggie Maloney). Together, their great singing helps make the musical even more enjoyable.

The musical also satirizes the business world and its obsession with coffee. During the song “Coffee Break,” the secretaries and business men humorously get very upset and mopey when they realize they won’t be able to wake their fatigued minds and push through the rest of the day.
Similarly, the musical makes fun of how when people are related to the bosses, they think they deserve more authority in the workplace.Bud Frump (Kevin Atwater), the nephew of the big boss J.B. Biggley (Tim Berberich), always makes a scene when he doesn’t get the better position than Finch and humorously claims that he is going to have a smoke, when he really is going to call his mom.

The cast successfully brought us back to the 1960s and took us behind the scenes to get a hilarious view on what business might have been like in the 60s.

In addition to the actors, the pit orchestra and technical crews brought the whole musical to life. The music paired with the singing made everything better. From crescendos to hitting the right notes, the pit orchestra helped set the 1960s mood.

The only changes I would make would be to cut a few parts of scenes to speed up the show. Despite my knee cramping up from sitting so long, the music and acting made up for the long show. Even with the small issues, I would go and see it again.