Multi-award-winning Broadway classic 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying' is coming to Adelaide, presented by the University of Adelaide's Elder Conservatorium of Music.
University of Adelaide Music Theatre students rehearsing for 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying'
Showing at the University's Scott Theatre from Thursday 2 October to Sunday 5 October, 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying' follows the charmingly ambitious J. Pierrepont Finch as he schemes his way from window washer to executive at the World Wide Wicket Company.
Armed with a self-help book and a twinkle in his eye, Finch navigates love, rivalries and ruthless corporate culture.
The original 1961 production - with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert, based on Shepherd Mead's 1952 novel - delivered a sharp satirical take on gender roles, office politics and corporate power structures. More than sixty years on, many of these themes still resonate.
Directed by Head of the Elder Conservatorium's Bachelor of Music Theatre program, Erin James, the production features the third-year Music Theatre cohort in their final musical before graduation.
James' direction leans into the production's ongoing relevance, highlighting how gender and power dynamics may have shifted in form, but remain deeply woven into the fabric of modern life.
"'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying' is a gloriously cheeky deep dive into ambition, office politics and 1960s gender roles, all set to one of the most irresistible scores of the Golden Age," James says.
"It's satire with a smile and a wink, and our third-year cohort at Elder Conservatorium Music Theatre are attacking it with flair, finesse and just the right amount of corporate chaos."
The production will be the Elder Conservatorium's first fully staged Golden Age musical. The high-energy satire features a luscious orchestral score by Loesser, a widely accomplished composer of the era best known for his composition of 'Guys and Dolls'.
The 12-piece orchestra will be directed by Paul Sinkinson, while the score is matched by slick choreography from Alexander Kermond, who fuses narrative-driven movement with vibrant 1960s-inspired jazz and tap routines.
Cast member and assistant director Sophie Camody says her dual role has been a rewarding experience.
"Serving as both a cast member and assistant to the director offered me the rare opportunity to contribute both onstage and behind the scenes," Camody says. "Though the show was written in the 1960s, its sharp commentary on ambition, workplace dynamics and gender roles remains strikingly relevant today."
The production promises something for every music theatre lover, from quirky comedy songs to soaring ballads and classic Broadway ensemble numbers.
Elder Conservatorium Music Theatre Production Manager, Peter Johns, says it is an honour to stage such an iconic work.
"With equal parts satire and spectacle, there is something for everyone in this show," Johns says.
"Whether you're a long-time musical theatre fan or discovering 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying' for the first time, this production is not one to miss."
When: Thursday 2 October - Sunday 5 October 2025
Where: Scott Theatre, Kintore Avenue, North Terrace campus, The University of Adelaide.
