February 8 - March 3, 2013
How to Succeed in Business
Without Really Trying
Book by Abe Burrows and Jack Weinstock 
Music and Lyrics by Frank Loesser
Directed by Chris Nardine
Music Direction by Paul Linnes
Power, sex, ambition, greed... it's just another day at the office. From the authors of Guys and Dolls comes one of the most delightfully irreverent musicals of all time. A satire of big business and all it holds sacred, How to Succeed ... 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 boss' whiny, nepotistic nephew, backstabbing co-workers, caffeine addiction and, of course, true love.
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying plays Thursday, Friday, & Saturday at 8pm and Saturday & Sunday at 2pm (no show on February 10th).

MEET THE CAST

Eric Hartley (Twimble/Womper) last appeared at SSR narrating The Rocky Horror Show, and is very pleased to usher in the new year in Redmond!  Roles of note: Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof (SMT), Doolittle in My Fair Lady (Centerstage), Noah in Two By Two (RCT).  Most recently Eric appeared as Mr. Fezziwig in Scrooge at SMT, and will return there in the spring as Rose’s Pop & several others in Gypsy.

Leah Wickstrom (Hedy La Rue) is thrilled to be making her debut on the SecondStory Repertory stage with a very talented cast—much thanks to the creative team for providing this opportunity! Recent favorite roles include Kira/Clio in Xanadu, Holly in The Wedding Singer, and the upcoming role of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde at TMP this April. Leah holds a B.S. in Industrial & Systems Engineering from the University of Southern California.

Brynne Geiszler (Miss Jones) is a graduate of Cornish College of the Arts who you may have seen recently on the SSR stage as Miss Delilah Strict (Zombie Prom) or Mrs. Cratchit (A Christmas Carol).  Other favorite credits: Jo (Little Women), Linda (The Wedding Singer), Janet (The Rocky Horror Show).  In 2011, Brynne was named “Person to Watch” for BroadwayWorld Seattle! She says this every time, but it should never mean any less: “I have endless amounts of thanks to my family and friends for being so supportive. I love you all!” www.brynnegeiszler.com

John Huddlestun (Bud Frump) After taking a two year break from acting, John R. Huddlestun is glad to be back on stage with this amazingly talented cast!  Not only does John act (you may have seen him in Curtains and The Producers at TMP, 110 in the Shade at SMT, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at Theatre Northwest), but he is also the Managing Director of STAGEright.  Check him out and their work at www.seattlestageright.org.  Thanks to Chris, Paul, Mark, and Jen for this opportunity!

Casey Raiha (J. Pierrepont Finch) Casey is ecstatic to be returning to the SSR stage after playing Eddie Flagrante in Zombie Prom earlier this year.  He is also returning to the role of Finch, having played the role at Centralia College years ago.  Local credits include:  RENT at the 5th Avenue, Lieutenant Cable in South Pacific (LLO), and Charlie Davenport in Annie Get Your Gun (Village Theatre).  Much thanks to his parents, and to Alicia: "You bring out the best me."

Elizabeth Richmond (Rebecca/Pirate Dancer) is incredibly pleased to be back on the SecondStory stage after appearing in last season's Rocky Horror Show. She has been seen locally as Mayzie in Seussical, Peggy Sawyer in 42nd St and Isobel in The Pirates of Penzance. After studying at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy she is so happy to be performing, teaching and choreographing in the Pacific Northwest, her home. Love to Mom, Taylor and Dan for everything.

Dan Posluns (Toynbee/Gatch/Ovington) is thrilled to be returning to the SecondStory stage with such a talented group. He is a Theatresports ensemble member with Unexpected Productions, performing improv comedy at the Market Theater when not doing scripted work. He recently directed Final Fantasy: The Improvised Adventures. Other recent roles include Reverend/Duncan in The Book of Liz (STAGEright) and Potiphar in Joseph (SecondStory). Love to Elizabeth and enjoy the show!

Nicholas Hyett-Schnell (Peterson) is thrilled to be a part of his first production at SecondStory Repertory.  Previous roles include Kit in The Tempest (Central Theatre Ensemble), and Rolf Gruber in the Sound of Music (Leavenworth Summer Theatre). He would like to thank his Mother and family, his friends and classmates back at Central Washington University, and a special thanks to his loving partner Nikki Delmarter.

Erika Zabelle (Smitty) is very happy to be back at SSR after being seen as Roxie Hart in SSR's production of Chicago. Performing has taken her many places including but not limited to: Alaska, New York, Neverland and jail, twice. One day she hopes to act in a Wes Anderson film. Until that day she plans to keep performing and in the down time: knitting, baking pie, and adding to her mis-matched dish collection. You can catch her next as Dainty June in Seattle Musical Theatre's production of Gypsy this April and in a fabulous second run of Lily Verlaine and Jasper McCann's Burlesco Divino: Wine in Rome at the Triple Door this August. All my love to my family and friends for their constant love and support. This one is for you, Brenda. Enjoy the show!

Carly Hebert (Rosemary) is happy to be working with SecondStory for the first time.  Carly studied music and vocal performance at Cornish College of the Arts and sings in Seattle’s 'The Esoterics’.  Favorite credits include: Legally Blonde (Elle Woods) SMT, Hairspray (Amber) SMT, Beauty and the Beast (Belle), Little Shop of Horrors(Audrey), The Pajama Game (Mae),Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat (Potipher’s Wife). 

William Hamer (Mr. Biggley) This marks Bill’s debut at SSR. He has been seen locally at Taproot Theatre (Chaps, Something’s Afoot), Village Theatre (Anne of Green Gables), SMT (Company, 1776, 110 in the Shade), 5th Avenue (Evita, Phantom), RCT (Bedroom Farce, Secret Garden) and Bash (A Kind of Alaska, Fat). Bill is, as always, thankful to Gail and his family for their undying love and support.

John Kelleher (Tackaberry) John is very happy to be back on stage at SecondStory Repertory. Recent performances include: Alfred Doolittle in My Fair Lady, LM in Pump Boys and Dinettes, Jacob in Joseph, The Chairman in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Underling in The Drowsy Chaperone, and Old Deuteronomy in CATS. John’s day job is that of Elementary Music Specialist in the Lake Washington School District. He would like to thank Chris and Paul for their trust and for letting him play with this insanely talented cast, and to Larry for his love and support.

Adrienne Baltz (Miss Krumholtz) is delighted to be back at SSR after recently lurking about in Cabaret.  She has performed throughout the Puget Sound region, and some favorite credits include Zaneeta in The Music Man (Village), Val in A Chorus Line (Capital Playhouse, SSR), Chava in Fiddler on the Roof (TMP), Anybodys in Westside Story, Little Red in Into the Woods, and Dainty June in Gypsy. As always, Bones to Zippy! 

Anthony Pallozzi (Matthews/Policeman) is thrilled to be working with such a wonderful and talented group of people! Past credits at SSR include Joseph..., Chicago, Zombie Prom, and this holiday season's A Christmas Carol in which he also acted as choreographer. Favorite shows include A Chorus Line (Mark), Dames at Sea (Lucky), The Rocky Horror Show (Frank N' Furter), and Seussical, The Musical (Wickersham). He would like to thank his friends and family for all of their love and support; especially to his wonderful partner, Levi.

Kate Kingery (Betty/Co-Choreographer) is elated to be appearing on the SecondStory stage again! After being introduced to musicals as a child in Denver, Kate followed her passion for music to Carleton College in MN, dance to Chicago, IL and ultimate frisbee to Seattle where she plays with Riot! Favorite roles: Charity in Sweet Charity, Hunyak in Chicago, Anna in The King and I. Special thanks to my family and teammates for their boundless support, my housemates for creating a dance space at home, and Dave for loving me.

Christina Masson (Nancy) is thrilled to be back onstage at SSR after performing as the epitome-of-nerdy Ginger in Zombie Prom and Ensemble in Joseph....  She has her BFA in Dance Performance & Choreography from WWU.  Favorite performance roles: Rosemary in How To Succeed..., Liza in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Anne in La Cage aux Folles, and Lily St Regis in Annie.  She also stage manages in the Seattle area, including A Christmas Carol, The Frog Prince, Princess & The Pea, A Year With Frog & Toad (SSR), A Chorus Line (SMT), A Wrinkle In Time and upcoming 42nd Street (YTN).  Next at SSR: stage managing Pinkalicious. Many thanks to the love and support from Mom, Dad, and Dan.

Brock Madden (Johnson/TV Announcer) happily returns for his second production with SSR after playing 'Hanz' in the award-winning Cabaret last summer. Thank you Jen, Mark, and Troy for making this house a home.

Will Halsey (Bratt)  Will is thrilled to make his SSR debut in this ridiculously fun show!  Originally from Missouri, Will has worked locally with Village Theatre, Book-It Repertory, and Driftwood Players, among others.  Next up:  The Temperamentals with Arouet Productions in the spring.  Thanks to Chris, Paul, and Mark for this opportunity!

Jeffrey Hitchin (Jenkins) was last seen at SecondStory in the Theater for Young Audiences production of The Frog Prince as the King. Previous roles at SecondStory have included Officer Barrel in Urinetown, Bellomy in The Fantasticks, and The Padre in Man of La Mancha. He also can be heard occasionally on the radio program Imagination Theater that airs locally on KIXI 880 AM.

Dave Ross (Book Voice) hosts Seattle’s Morning News and co-hosts Ross & Burbank on KIRO Radio.  His usual acting gig is performing patter songs for the Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society.  This is his first self-help book.  

THE PRODUCTION TEAM

Christopher Nardine (Director/Choreographer) has been directing, choreographing and performing throughout much of the United States for 40 years. He received his BFA in music and B.S. in education from the University of Connecticut and has taught music, dance and musical theater since 1971. Directing and choreography credits include Chicago at SecondStory Rep, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and A Streetcar Named Desire (Theatre Northwest Group), 110 in the Shade, Guys and Dolls and Cabaret (Seattle Musical Theatre), Hello, Dolly and Annie Get Your Gun (Tacoma Little Theatre), Orpheus in the Underworld, The Daughter of the Regiment, and A Turk in Italy (Tacoma Opera), The Merry Widow, and Die Fledermaus (Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan), Singin' In the Rain, and Grease (Auburn Dinner Theatre), Cinderella (Village Theatre), I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change and The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Renton Civic Theatre) and 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (CentreStage Theatre). In addition, Chris was Artistic Director for Sapphire Productions, has staged shows for nightclubs and television, and judged state theater competitions in Washington, Oregon and California.

Paul Linnes (Music Director) has been critically acclaimed as having a “sonorous voice” that is “remarkable for the clarity and vigor of its lower range.” He has performed principal roles in many operas, including two world premieres, and been a soloist in concert works with orchestras throughout the West Coast and Far East, including international tours as a featured soloist with the Roger Wagner Chorale. Other activities have included recordings with the Roger Wagner Chorale and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, the motion picture soundtracks for Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Jurassic Park under the direction of John Williams, Ghost Rider (2007), and various video game titles including Halo and Age of Empires. Mr. Linnes was twice a regional finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and San Francisco Opera Center Auditions, a National Scholarship Winner in the Bel Canto Foundation National Opera Auditions, past winner of the Performing Arts Festival of the Eastside’s annual competition in Seattle, and a former Principal Artist in Residence with Opera San José. He has also sung in numerous languages; aside from the traditional musical languages, he has performed in Armenian, Hebrew, Japanese and Korean. Mr. Linnes received his BA in Music from California State University, Hayward, including conducting studies with Dr. Denis DeCoteau, former Music Director and conductor for the San Francisco Ballet. He received his MM in Vocal Performance (Opera) from the University of Southern California, and is a former student of famed Metropolitan Opera bass Giorgio Tozzi. In addition to maintaining a private voice studio, he also teaches private voice at Roosevelt High School as part of their drama program and is regularly invited to adjudicate vocal competitions. He has appeared frequently as Musical Director/Pianist for numerous productions and theater companies throughout the Puget Sound region and is also a founding member of the UW’s Advisory Board in the Performing Arts. While performing on stage or in the studio are not things he has much time to pursue anymore, he absolutely loves the “intersection of disciplines” which music direction in the theater provides. 

Kristin Calhoun (Stage Manager) is excited to be back with SSR. She has previously stage managed Bunnicula, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Natural Selection, and The Boy Who Cried Wolf all at SSR. She has also been a production assistant for theaters throughout southern California.

THE MUSICIANS 

Lori Shepherd (Reed 4) is new to the Seattle area, having moved to the Northwest from Utah. While in Utah, she founded and performed with the Utah Wind Symphony, maintained a large teaching studio, and worked as a pit musician since 2002 in productions such as Urinetown, Victor Victoria, Messiah: A Gospel Celebration, Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, Carousel. The highlight of this year was being accepted to perform in New York at the Imani Winds Chamber Music Festival with Trio de Bois as the clarinetist. She is happy to be joining the orchestra for the first time at SecondStory Repertory.

Dave Spangler (Trumpet) Dave is thrilled to be playing this show with the “brotherhood” of musicians, many of whom played in last year’s amazing production of Chicago.  In addition to Chicago, his previous SSR favorite shows include Man of La Mancha, My Fair Lady, Anything Goes, A Chorus Line and She Loves Me.  He is also lucky to have his wife Anita play the show as well – how great is that?!

Andy Rich (Horn & Trumpet) This is Andy’s 8th show in the SSR pit, and he’s excited to be back and playing out of an actual Horn book! You can also find Andy playing in various community orchestras. While he waits for a record deal, he holds down a day job at Microsoft.

Jim Graham (Bass) has over 30 years experience playing professionally in Seattle, London and the San Francisco Bay area. His bass playing has been heard in numerous jazz and rock bands, film scores, concerts, CDs and cruise ship tours.  He has played in over 100 different musical theater runs including Second Story Rep's Rocky Horror and Zombie Prom.  He is especially happy to be working again with Music Director Extraordinaire- Paul Linnes. 

Robert Gianetto (Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Bari Sax) After overcoming the evils of liquor and jazz in Chicago, Bob wants to succeed in business. His experience includes jazz, rock, big band, and classical. He's happy to be playing again under the musical direction of Paul Linnes at SecondStory Rep.

Tim Webster (piccolo, flute, clarinet, and alto sax) After dodging bullets last season in Chicago, Tim is excited to once again be playing for SecondStory Rep with this outstanding cast and crew and thanks Paul for asking!  Since graduating with a music ed degree from CWU sometime last century, Tim has played all over the Puget Sound in just about every combination of ensemble and venue possible.  How to Succeed has long been a favorite show of his and after almost sixty different musicals, Tim is excited to finally have the chance to play his part in JP Finch's mad cap rise from window washer to CEO.  Go Ground Hogs!  

Anita Wong (clarinet/saxophone) Anita is delighted to return to SSR and for her third full musical run, playing Chicago and Cabaret.  She owns her own business as a freelance website developer, and she also plays the clarinet in the Microsoft Orchestra and the Woodinville Concert Band, and the saxophone in the River Winds Concert Band.  Love to David, who joins me in helping support music, theater, and the arts here in the wonderful Pacific Northwest!

Mae Kane (Flute/Clarinet/Saxaphone) This is Mae's second production with SSR after playing for Cabaret at the beginning of the season. She is a busy mom of 4 beautiful girls, does accounting work for a local Aerospace company, and is pursuing her Master's with the University of Illinois. She also plays clarinet in the Microsoft Orchestra and River Winds Concert Band.

Larry Cosenza (Trombone) originally from Ohio, brings a diverse musical background to the pit. From Classical to Jazz, Metal to Swing he also plays guitar/bass and keyboards in other Seattle based groups in his spare time.         

Taylor Richmond (Percussion) started playing drums when he was a baby, banging on pots and pans in the kitchen. A graduate from Tacoma School of the Arts, he played for a few shows down south such as Seussical and Fiddler on the Roof. After a long hiatus from drumming, he is so excited to be a part of this fantastic show. Love to Mom and JoAnn. Break legs Dan and Elizabeth.

With thanks to Dave Ross, Dan Posluns, Patty and Steve Klos, Megan Chenovick, Barbara Birney, Ted Scott and Bree Norlander, Village Theatre, Chazz Kaskes, and John Clark