Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"...Lindley's production has an engaging lead in Tyler Ravelson, who does not come with the inherent smoothness and charm of a Matthew Broderick or a Daniel Radcliffe, to name two of the high-achievers recently associated with this role. That's all right - Ravelson shows you a man who self-invents because he has so little at the start. Thus you pull for him as he climbs the ladder at World Wide Wickets simply by paying attention to two basic rules: 1) flatter and agree with those in power and become one of their protectees, and 2) undermine everyone in your way."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...Porchlight Music Theatre's rip-roaring revival of the show is great, goofy fun, with direction by Rob Lindley that is a fully committed blend of cartoonish campiness and heart."
Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended
"...Rob Lindley's staging for Porchlight Music Theatre features Tyler Ravelson and Elizabeth Telford as Finch and Rosemary, but supporting players Fred Zimmerman (as boss J.B. Biggley), John Keating (as Biggley's nepotistic nephew Bud Frump), and Iris Lieberman (as Biggley's tap-dancing secretary) get the most laughs. Veteran broadcaster Bill Kurtis provides the droll voice-over narration that frames the action."
Chicagoist - Recommended
"...How to Succeed may be winking at the audience the whole time, but you can't ignore the jarring resemblance to today's corporate culture, where bad ideas are overvalued, good ones are hard to come by, and the glass ceiling is still fully in tact. These issues are on full display in the show's rousing 11 o'clock number, "Brotherhood of Man." Just try to avoid tapping your toes or forcing back a smile when Iris Lieberman, playing the unruffled top secretary Miss Jones, tap dances her way around the good ol' boys club. The infectious number is How to Succeed at its best-a spoon full of satire and a couple laughs help it all go down."
Time Out Chicago - Recommended
"...But while Tyler Ravelson's Finch keeps us on his side through all his machinations, it'd be nice if we could see a bit more of what Rosemary does. To be fair, the part is written as a bit of a cipher. But Ravelson is keeping it too low-key and casual, underplaying the hungry ambition and charisma that Finch needs. And with some of Lindley's supporting players pushing their wackiness a bit too hard, Ravelson runs the risk of being swallowed up-and crossing over from not really trying into not succeeding."
ShowBizChicago - Recommended
"...Porchlight Music Theatre’s new production that opened Tuesday at Stage 773, though admirable in effort only meets the material halfway. Based on the 1952 novel, How To Succeed tells how an everyman (window washer Finch) can rise to top the corporate ladder by following some basic, yet vital steps all laid out in a self-help book. Director Rob Lindley’s passion for the musical is clear and has an assembled amiable cast headed by the nimble Tyler Ravelson. Mr. Ravelson has great comic instincts and a wonderful tenor belt, but still seems to be struggling to find his own version instead of a shoulder shrugging Morse/Broderick mash-up. (Ravelson’s severe haircut certainly doesn’t add too a youthful guy on the go). This leaves his romantic chemistry with Rosemary, the uber-talented Elizabeth Telford a bit forced."
Chicago Theatre Addict - Highly Recommended
"...Porchlight Music Theatre’s rollicking production of this jazzy show is everything I wanted on a drizzly Tuesday night. Director Rob Lindley certainly knows his way around this classic musical comedy, and has cast it with a bevy of delightful character actors who make up this wacky wicket world. The compact Tyler Ravelson, as unassuming go-getter Finch, smartly underplays Finch’s drive to great affect. As his equally driven love interest Rosemary, Elizabeth Telford is a clear-eyed presence with a bright and pleasing voice."
Theatre By Numbers - Recommended
"...Audience seeing Porchlight Music Theatre's current production of "How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" will see a piece that is over 50 years old, and yet remains very fresh. The show, whose long title can be abbreviated to "H2$", has been one of my favorites for years. And the script, while centered around the 1960′s environment with which many are only familiar thanks to AMC's "Mad Men", is still sharp and pointed in its commentary on life in today's corporate world."
Stage and Cinema - Recommended
"...Of course half the humor hinges on Finch: A spunky and effortless warbler, Tyler Ravelson certainly suggests the guile, desperation or relish of this born manipulator, an imposter always teetering on the edge of exposure. But, compared to such predecessors as Robert Morse, Matthew Broderick, and Ralph Macchio, Ravelson is a bit charm-challenged, more character actor than adorable climber. (Finch should be as different from Bud Frump as possible-and that just doesn't happen here.) As his helpmate Rosemary, Elizabeth Telford seems equally bland but then that self-effacement comes with the territory. They're altogether right for each other-and that may be the secret satire in an otherwise pseudo-conformist musical delight."
ChicagoCritic - Somewhat Recommended
"...How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying is a curiosity show that is rarely mounted and is decidedly mediocre and Porchlight's current production, despite some terrific elements and some excellent performances, can't get over the hooky , old-fashion book and hollow songs. But, if you enjoy the old time musicals from the 50′s and early 60′s, you'll like this show."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Highly Recommended
"...It's a great script, wonderful score, fun lyrics, but the show would not achieve the heights that it does without a terrific ensemble of a cast working together-and this cast looks like they are having one heck of a good time. Porchlight regular Sharriese Hamilton shines as Smitty, the salty seen-it-all secretary. Iris Lieberman's Miss Jones is a revelation. Emily Ariel Rogers' creation of Hedy LaRue is that Marilyn Monroe doppleganger without being too over the top even though its written that way. And newcomer Elizabeth Telford is a sweet self-effacing, all sacrificing Rosemary with great comic timing. Although Ravelson ably does the heavy lifting throughout the plot driving it forward, this really is a no small parts rendition-everyone is a jewel."
Around The Town Chicago - Recommended
"...Over the years, I have become accustomed to Porchlight MusicTheatre's creativity in using a small stage to do large musicals. For the most part, they have always selected musicals that have managed to withstand the years gone by. I am afraid that this year's choice, the Tony award winning, "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying", one that I have always adored, with a book by Abe Burrows,Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert and songs by Frank Loesser, has not withstood the elements of time. Directed by Rob Lindley with solid Choreography by Brenda Didier and musical direction by Kory Danielson, we have a delightful evening of theater, but not with the excitement that audiences felt back in the day when the original book ( 1952) was written."
Chicago Theatre Review - Recommended
"...A musical that says so much about the America of fifty years ago, and is so loved and respected by theatregoers everywhere, is always worth visiting again. Pierrepont Finch is the quintessential underdog that audiences love to cheer on to new heights, even if his tunnel vision almost causes him to lose his lady love in the process. But all ends happily-ever-after, and Rob Lindley's sparkling production is sharp, sexy and more fun than a dip in the secretarial pool."
Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Somewhat Recommended
"...Rob Lindley is a big fan of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" and his enthusiasm for the show may have played a decisive role in getting the musical on the Porchlight schedule. But the theater hasn't been able to muster the resources to illuminate whatever virtues "How to Succeed" may still possess after all these years."
The Fourth Walsh - Highly Recommended
"...The best parts of this show are the musical numbers. Music Director Kory Danielson keeps the tempo bright and playful. And Choreographer Brenda Didier orchestrates high energy antics. For Coffee Break, the talented ensemble shuffle like zombies until they collapse like dominos. They eventually get their caffeine fix because Brotherhood of Man is on speed. The spectacle is high-octane fueled. At one moment, the only woman on stage, the dazzling Iris Lieberman (Miss Jones), turns the song into a torch-singing, tap-dancing showstopper. "
Splash Magazine - Highly Recommended
"...This is also a very strong cast with Tyler Ravelson (Finch) exhibiting just the right amount of conniving charm (a little more and he might not be likeable enough, a little less and he would be lacking in ambition). John Keating as Bud Frump is downright funny as the whiny foil to Finch's grand plans and Elizabeth Telford is perfectly cast as Finch's potential love interest. Other less prominent roles also shine with Sharriese Hamilton especially putting in a strong performance. Heck the production even snagged the unofficial voice of Chicago, Bill Kurtis, as "The Voice of the Book.""
