How to Succeed: Michael Urie to play Bud Frump



"Ugly Betty" star Michael Urie will make his Broadway debut starring in the 50th Anniversary production of the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical comedy How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying.

Urie will star in the musical as 'Bud Frump,' beginning 24 Jan 2012, for 6 months through 1 Jul 2012. He replaces original cast member Christopher J. Hanke who will play his final performance on 22 Jan 2012.

Urie is currently starring as 'Yepikhodov' in the Classic Stage Company's production of Anton Chekhov's 'The Cherry Orchard.' He also recently starred in the Signature Theatre Company's revival of 'Angels in America' as 'Prior Walter,' as well as the 2009's 'The Temperamentals,' in which he originated the role of Rudi Gernreich and received a Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actor. He is most probably best known for his TV role as "Marc St. James" in the ABC comedy series "Ugly Betty."

How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying currently stars Daniel Radcliffe (J. Pierrepont Finch), John Larroquette (J. B. Biggley), Christopher J. Hanke (Bud Frump), Tammy Blanchard (Hedy La Rue), Rob Bartlett (Twimble/Wally Womper), Mary Faber (Smitty), Ellen Harvey (Miss Jones), Michael Park (Bert Bratt), Rose Hemingway (Rosemary Pilkington) and featuring the voice of Anderson Cooper as the narrator.

As previously announced Daniel Radcliffe and 2011 Award winner John Larroquette will conclude their run in the show on 1 Jan 2012. Darren Criss, breakout star of Fox's Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning television show "GLEE," will make his Broadway debut as 'J. Pierrepont Finch,' performing a strictly limited three week engagement from 3 - 22 Jan 2012. Nick Jonas will succeed Criss, stepping in to the role of 'Finch' from 24 Jan 2012 through to 1 Jul 2012. Emmy, Golden Globe and Grammy Award winner Beau Bridges will take over the role of 'J. B. Biggley' from 3 Jan - 1 Jul2012, starring opposite both Criss and Jonas.

With the aid of a trusty self-help book "How To Succeed In Business" wily window washer 'J. Pierrepont Finch' enjoys a riotous rise up the corporate ladder. Will Finch's unorthodox business practices at the World-Wide Wicket Company get him in hot water with the head honcho J.B. Biggley, and jeopardize his romance with secretary Rosemary Pilkington?

How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying opened at Broadway's Al Hirschfeld Theatre on 27 Mar 2011, following previews from 26 Feb 2011, and is currently booking through to 1 Jul 2012.

The musical opened to mixed reviews: Everyone is earnest to distraction (newyorktheatreguide.com); Charm-free revival (NY Times); Bright, cheerful and energetic (NY Daily News); High-octane, hard-working revival (Bloomberg); Frenetic and dull all at the same time (Back Stage).

Director and choreographer Rob Ashford's creative team for How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying includes Derek McLane (Sets) Catherine Zuber (Costumes), Howell Binkley (Lighting), Jon Weston (Sound), Doug Besterman (Orchestrations), and David Chase (Music Director and Arranger).

How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying has music and lyrics by Academy Award and Tony Award winner Frank Loesser, and a book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert, based on the book by Shepherd Mead.

The score includes the songs, "I Believe in You," "Happy to Keep His Dinner Warm," "The Company Way," "Been a Long Day," "Rosemary," and "Brotherhood of Man."

The musical is produced by Broadway Across America (John Gore, Thomas B. McGrath, Beth Williams), Craig Zadan, Neil Meron, Joseph Smith, Michael McCabe, Candy Spelling, Takonkiet Viravan/Scenario Thailand and Two Left Feet Productions/PowerArts.

Michael Urie

Originally published on

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