You Can Have It All

The Secret of My Success – Paramount Theatre

Such exciting news comes from Aurora! After last season’s somewhat disappointing premiere of the theatre’s first original musical, Paramount is sizzling with excitement over a fantastically entertaining, beautifully produced and superbly acted/sung and danced new show that has “Broadway” written all over it. In this  perky premiere, dramatically guided by Gordon Greenwood, a topnotch director with credits both on Broadway and in the West End, this musical is an adaptation of the popular 1987 film that starred Michael J. Fox and Helen Slater. Greenwood co-wrote the much updated book with Steve Rosen, and the show features a rousing, toe-tapping, head-bopping score by Chicago’s own prolific musical wunderkinds, Michael Mahler and Alan Schmuckler. Coupled with energetic, athletic choreography by Paramount’s New Works Development Director, Amber Mak, the resulting musical is, in short, magical.

For younger audiences who may not be familiar with movie, this  is the story of Brantley Foster, an optimistic, recent college graduate, with a degree in business, who travels from St. Cloud, Minnesota to the east coast to seek his fortune. With his widowed mother’s blessing, Brantley boards a crowded bus to New York City, with nothing but high aspirations and naive expectations. Manhattan’s Prescott Industries is expecting him but, due to a rival company’s takeover, Brantley’s position has been terminated before he even begins working there. In desperation the enthusiastic young man accepts the lowly job of a temp, where he’s force to work as the company’s janitor.

While cleaning and prepping an empty office for the arrival of Carlton Whitfield, another recently hired employee, who has begun his new job by taking a three-month paternity leave, Brantley comes up with an idea to get ahead quickly. Because Whitfield won’t be back for some time, and due to a series of fortuitous misunderstandings, Brantley assumes the identity of Mr. Whitfield, a young man who’s eagerly awaited by the company because of his shrewd business acumen.

As Brantley carefully hides the secret of his alter ego, he works his way up the ladder to success. On the way up he meets and falls in love with Christy Lockhart, a smart, beautiful colleague, who he charms with his innocent, unclouded view of life, his fresh-faced honesty and his earnest sincerity. Brantley also understands the intricacies of how big business works, and is particularly passionate about saving the St. Cloud canning factory. This is where his mother works, but, sadly, it’s been earmarked for closure. 
Brantley soon finds his secret identity was a mistake and he discovers himself pitted against the company’s smarmy, heartless, money-hungry boss, Piers Johnson. The man has his own secrets, being in a loveless marriage to the President of the Board, Vera Prescott. In addition to his dastardly business dealings, he’s been trying to coerce an extra-marital affair with Christy Lockhart. Eventually, with newly forged friendships, redesigned allegiances, new secret plans afoot and several new romances, good triumphs over evil and everything ends happily.

The show has two terrific co-stars. Charismatic, handsome, multitalented Billy Harrigan Tighe, a star of Broadway and several national tours (such as “Book of Mormon,” “Finding Neverland” and “Wicked”), is absolutely magnificent as Brantley Foster. He sings like an angel and dances like the accomplished professional that he is. Mr. Tighe completely captures the hearts of every audience member. Sydney Morton is a dream as lovely Christy Lockhart, the sharp corporate employee who catches Brantley’s eye. A veteran of such musicals as “Memphis,” “Evita,” “American Psycho” and “Jersey Boys,” this gifted triple-threat is heavenly. Both New York actors are making their welcome Paramount debut.

The supporting cast is a dream team of talent. Standouts include Chicago’s longtime sweetheart, Heidi Kettenring as chic, hard-as-nails (but with a heart of gold) Board President, Vera Prescott. Recent Jeff Award-winner, Barbara E. Robertson beautifully portrays Joanne Foster, Branley’s supportive, hardworking mother. Gabriel Ruiz is delightful as Lester Mann, Brantley’s nerdy fellow temp and first friend at the corporation.
 Jeremy Peter Johnson is appropriately coarse and immoral as Piers Johnson; the incomparable Melody A. Betts is spunky and loving as Christy’s mama, Rose Lockhart; young Kai Edgar charms with his feisty portrayal of Christy’s son, Ernie; and Ian Michael Stuart earns laughs and groans as brassy and militant  temp supervisor, Garth Portnoy. The rest of the huge and hugely talented ensemble, which includes the likes of George Keating, Brandon Dahlquist, Dara Cameron and Sara Sevigny, is everything a show like this could ask for…and more.

Paramount has a wonderful, original hit on its hands. The show’s staged within the colorful scenic design created by Jeffrey D. Kmiec, with mobile projections by Mike Tutaj, dazzling lighting by Greg Hofmann and gorgeous costumes, hair and wigs by Mara Blumenfeld and Katie Cordts, respectively. With a few more cuts to shorten the two-and-a-half hour running time, this musical could easily be Broadway’s next big thing. Certainly, the show is reminiscent of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” the Abe Burrows/Frank Loesser 1961 hit musical about rising to the top of big business. But this smart, sassy, contemporary musical rewrite of the hit 1987 film, that starred Michael J. Fox, is fresh, fun and just simply fantastic. It’s a must-see for audiences looking for a brand-new musical comedy that’s full of great music, endearing, humorous characters and plenty of heart, enough to warm us during the waning days of winter.  

Highly Recommended 

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented February 12-March 29 at the Paramount Theatre, 23 East Galena Blvd., Aurora, IL. 

Tickets are available in person at the Paramount box office, by calling 630-896-6666 or by going to www.paramountaurora.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.