Michelle Visage to narrate in ‘How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying’

The television popularity will voice ‘The Book’ in the off-West End musical. The show runs at Southwark Playhouse for six weeks in spring 2023.

A new production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying will run at Southwark Playhouse Borough this spring. Previews begin on 12 May, with an opening night on 16 May, and performances to 17 June.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning musical follows J. Pierrepont Finch as they climb the corporate ladder from a window washer to a high-powered executive. Along the way, they navigate the office party, co-workers, and company politics.

The musical is based on Shepherd Mead’s 1952 book of the same name. The show features a story by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert, and songs by Frank Loesser including “The Company Way” and “Brotherhood of Man.”

Georgie Rankcom directs the musical. Ahead of directing, they said: “We hope that this version will resonate with a new generation of theatergoers who will see just how brilliant and incisive the piece really is. Existing fans of the show will see and hear everything they love but presented by a cast and team who represent the society that we live in now.

We plan to find new and exciting talents to bring this story to life as it’s never been seen before. We’re excited to embrace the absurdity of the show through a modern lens, whilst retaining all the wit and DNA of the original.”

The RuPaul’s Drag Race judge Michelle Visage will voice ‘The Book’ in the show. A full cast will be announced at a later date.

The show features choreography by Alexzandra Sarmiento, set and costume design by Sophia Pardon, lighting design by Lucía Sánchez Roldán, and sound design by Jake Johnson.

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is at Southwark Playhouse.

Photo credit: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying artwork (Photo by Michael Wharley)