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REVIEWS
How to Succeed succeeds
By Ruby Nancy, "The Quad City Times"
Allaert
Theatre produced How to
Succeed in Business Without Really Trying last weekend at the Galvin
Fine Arts Center, and put on a really nice show.
Unfortunately, the
show's run was only three performances, so folks who missed last weekend
won't have a chance to see it. It's too bad that the show doesn't run a
second weekend, though, because How to Succeed was definitely worth a
longer run.
Though not a
professional production, this show was bright and energetic--closely
following the styles adn moves of the recent Broadway revival. It also
featured a celebrity of sorts as the Voice of the Book, since SAU
President Edward Rogalski made his "stage debut" with a fine, ironic
reading.
The finest work
in the show came from the men's ensemble during their song and dance
numbers, and from Ted Stephens, who starred as the ambitious Finch. The
men gave their choreography a crisp presentation and worked together
with great energy, and Stephens made Finch actually likeable--even
occasionally winsome.
Of the course, the
show is very dated, displaying (and sometimes spoofing) a sexist,
gender-restricted workplace, so the women actors had less to do.
However, their vocals were often excellent, providing a rich, soaring
sound on song after song.
Though not
flawless, this show was good enough for a second run. Too bad we won't
get the chance, but their next production, Beauty and the Beast, will
be presented Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 5-6.
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