The Oshkosh West Index - Cast members learn how to succeed in show biz

Cast members learn how to succeed in show biz

By Carly Tebo and Index Staff
posted January 26, 2010

Stepping foot into the business scene, choir and pit orchestra students have been working through the cloudy winter months to prepare for a shining production of the musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. The show is running in the Alberta Kimball Auditorium this weekend. The show's upbeat music, comical foundation, and talented cast has led to hopes of a show as successful as the musical's rapidly rising protagonist, J. Pierrepont Finch. Director Herb Berendsen hopes that the vigorous work ethic by all cast members will truly aid in gaining the audience's approval come show time.

"With the excellence we strive for, people are amazed at all that goes into it," he said. "The dancing, the singing, the set; people enjoy seeing that."

The musical is based on Shepherd Mead's story and is musically enhanced by Frank Loesser. The 1961 tale is one of an ambitious man's journey to commercial success, and along with that, success in the romance industry. While window washing at World Wide Wickets Company, Inc., Finch [played by senior Will Berendsen] comes across an important book; throughout the story, the book becomes his guide in dealing with various office happenings, which in turn lead to his rise in the business. Unlike his new status in the company, Berendsen knows the ropes when it comes to musical productions. In landing himself a lead role for his fourth and final musical, he is enjoying every minute of it.

"Being Finch has been a blast because of his awkward and slightly insane tendencies," he said. "It actually wasn't a far stretch for me to play this quirky weirdo. But it has been a blast making it my own."

From the beginning of Act I to the show's conclusion, Rosemary Pilkington [played by junior Taylor Kaspar], serves as Finch's very serious admirer, and falls into place alongside her virtual secretarial "BFF" Smitty [senior Leah Dittberner]. Despite the dealings with serious matters in dramatic love affairs and friendship, the show never fails to have a comical base, making for an element that Berendsen feels will really appeal to the audience.

"The show has more of a sophisticated humor, not slapstick," he said. "I think its best for teens to adults, especially adults. [It is different in that] there seems like there is a lot more dialogue. Maybe it's because of the humor."

One character that plays a large role in this caked-on humor is Hedy LaRue, the air-head who finds herself involved with World Wide Wickets due to some scandalously placed connections. The sight of this new secretary alone makes the males of the show swoon over her, placing her right in the middle of this humor. Senior Kylie Kintopf has proved that she can and will pull of this kind of personality and make it believable.

"When I found out I was going to play the role of Hedy LaRue, I was super excited," she said, in regards to her first speaking role in her four years of high school musicals.

Many of the cast members can relate to the next steps she took upon hearing the news, wanting to research the part and get some ideas from other productions of the show.

"Right away I youtubed all of her parts," says Kintopf. "But so far I have made her my own with the walking, talking, posing, and singing. I just love being in the musical. I love everything about it."

This development of character is the one thing that [Herb] Berendsen has perhaps most enjoyed about directing this musical.

"It's cool when kids make the role their own, not just what they see in the movie," he said.

With this show, [Herb] Berendsen admits to challenging students with his casting decisions by giving various roles to people who had never experienced that sort of pressure and responsibility heretofore.

"I've seen growth in quite a few people," he said. "I'm not really surprised by it, but they have really stepped up. The secondary roles really make the show, and they've blossomed."

Senior Hunter Clark, a choir student preparing for his first speaking role this year, has developed quite the character. Clark will be playing the role of Bud Frump, the "momma's boy" and nephew to president, J. B. Biggley [senior Derek Mathers], who whines his way into higher positions, while receiving treatment of disgust by his coworkers.

"I am very excited to be playing the part of Bud Frump," he said. "But at the same time I'm very nervous to take the stage."

Sophomore cast member, Shannon McInnis is also aware of this nervousness that Clark is experiencing, but says that she sees a lot of excitement within it as well.

"You can tell everyone's working hard," she said. "They have realized [the show] is soon, so they're both nervous and excited. It's cool to see the cast everyday."

McInnis asserts that cast members have taken personal responsibility for their part, whether named or part of the chorus, in the show.

"[All the cast members] are stepping up and developing their characters fantastically," she said.

The instrumental parts are not to be forgotten, as the musical could not be put on without the talent and dedication of the pit orchestra. The pit orchestra has been rehearsing for just about as long as the rest of the cast, and their dedication is evident in the product of their sound.

"This year's music seems to be a little different than [past years]," said senior clarinet player Michelle Pollack. "There are odd chords that you wouldn't think go, but they sound good with the rest of the band. What is also different this year is the pit orchestra sound as a whole. There are actually no string instruments, just wind instruments. But we do have a guitar this year so that will be interesting."

Pit director Dan Singer has seen the adjustment made by the pit to accommodate for both the differentiation in music and instrumental parts.

"[The music is] a similar style to Guys and Dolls but the music is more difficult. It's very different from Aida, which was more modern. The pit has come a long way, it's a lot of music, and not easy. It's poorly written; not the music, but the fact that they are handwritten photocopies from 1961. [The scores] are full of errors and it has been working against us."

Despite the challenges overcome in both choral and instrumental aspects of the show, the feats are plentiful, particularly in combining the two parts as the show has drawn itself nearer.

"Lots of people are friends," said [Herb] Berendsen. "It's not like three separate units. This will help when we really start to polish. It could be ugly if that didn't happen. [This way] people are willing to pitch in and make everybody else look good."

Singer does not downplay the initial complexity in collaborating pit and cast, but is a witness of the success that is to come. With the primary introductions of the two parts out of the way, Singer sees smooth sailing into the waters of finishing touches.

"All parties work well together," he said. "The first week is the tough week. The pit has to get used to the cast and the cast has to get used to the pit. My favorite is the performance week when everything is put together and jelling. It's fun to conduct once it's put together."

Pollack agrees that despite the difficult task at hand, a high school pit is the best way in performing a high school musical.

"I think we're in good shape for a high school pit," she said. "Most high school musicals hire professionals to play but this way is more fun for the pit; [for the cast] it is better to have someone you know playing while you sing rather than a complete stranger."

McInnis shares a similar reasoning in the helpfulness of familiarity, in regards to the stage.

"It's really cool to be on your own stage," she said. "It's like home field."

Despite the implications for mature audiences amidst the dialogue, the musical is one that is zesty and equally entertaining in its bright, young age.

"It's a pretty young show," said [Herb] Berendsen. "I think that doing a show like this will prepare the younger kids for the future. There are a lot of positive attitudes for the show. That can only help in the future."

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photo courtesy of Will Berendsen

Cast members of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying lament over their lack of caffeine in the number "Coffee Break."

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