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‘How to Succeed‘ Still Tickles Funny Bone in 2025, But With a Side of Cringe
Table of Contents
- 1. ‘How to Succeed’ Still Tickles Funny Bone in 2025, But With a Side of Cringe
- 2. What are the challenges Anya Sharma faced in updating “how to Succeed” for a modern audience?
- 3. ‘how to Succeed’ in 2025: An Interview with Director Anya Sharma
- 4. Adapting a Classic for Contemporary Audiences
- 5. The Enduring Appeal of Corporate Satire
- 6. Looking Ahead: The Future of ‘How to Succeed’
Covey Theater Company’s production Navigates a Changing Workplace Landscape
the Covey Theater Company’s rendition of the classic musical comedy How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
currently playing through march 29, presents a unique challenge in 2025. Originally conceived during the Mad Men era,with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and a book by Abe Burrows,the show satirizes the corporate climb,a concept that feels both familiar and foreign to contemporary American audiences.
Producing the classic musical comedy “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” in 2025 poses a series of challenges
What are the challenges Anya Sharma faced in updating “how to Succeed” for a modern audience?
‘how to Succeed’ in 2025: An Interview with Director Anya Sharma
Covey Theater Company’s production Explores Corporate Satire in the Modern Age
Archyde News recently sat down with Anya Sharma, the director of Covey Theater Company’s current production of “How to succeed in Business Without Realy trying,” to discuss the challenges and triumphs of staging this classic musical comedy in 2025. the show, known for its satirical take on the corporate world, is playing through March 29th.
Adapting a Classic for Contemporary Audiences
Archyde: Anya, thanks for joining us.”How to Succeed” is a beloved show. What specific challenges did you face in bringing it into the modern era?
Anya: Thank you for having me. The underlying humor is timeless, but the societal norms of the original era – the 1960s, the “Mad Men” era – are vastly different. Some of the workplace dynamics depicted,while satirized,could be perceived very differently by contemporary audiences: for example,the blatant sexism in the workplace.
Archyde: Indeed. How did you address those possibly tricky aspects in your production?
Anya: We focused on highlighting the satire. by exaggerating some of those outdated power dynamics, we hoped to underscore how absurd they were then, and how much the workplace has hopefully evolved. We also made some casting choices that allowed us to subvert some of the traditional expectations of the show’s original narrative. The script does that work for us, in its own way.
The Enduring Appeal of Corporate Satire
Archyde: Despite those potential challenges, what do you believe makes this musical still relevant and engaging for audiences in 2025?
Anya: The core themes of ambition, social climbing, and the pursuit of success are still very much alive. People still strive for advancement, navigating office politics and hierarchies. While the specifics have changed – think about the role of social media influencers over ‘executive secretaries’ – the underlying human drive remains the same. That’s where the show finds its staying power.
Archyde: The source mentions the use of digital backdrops from broadway Media. How did visual dimension enhance the performance?
Anya: Well, imagine bringing the bustling offices and boardrooms to life. The digital backdrops add to the visual aspects. The audience feels immersed in the atmosphere of this hilarious production.
Looking Ahead: The Future of ‘How to Succeed’
Archyde: Do you think “How to Succeed” will continue to resonate with audiences in the years to come?
Anya: Absolutely. As long as people understand the desire to achieve and navigate the world, the musical’s humor and social commentary will continue to have an appeal. It’s a reflection of human nature, told through catchy songs and clever storytelling. That said, I think future productions will need to continue to address the dated elements with care and sensitivity, ensuring the focus remains on the satire.
Archyde: A final question: What do you hope audiences take away from the production?
Anya: Beyond the entertainment value, I hope it sparks a discussion. Do the methods that J. Pierrepont Finch uses in “How to Succeed” still work today? Can you “get ahead” without real talent, skill, or a bit of luck? What are the new rules of success in the modern workplace? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
