How to succeed: Sara Jean Ford to play Smitty

Sara Jean Ford will replace original cast member Mary Faber in the role of 'Smitty' from 28 Feb 2012 in the 50th Anniversary production of the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical comedy How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying.

Also from 28 Feb until 29 Apr 2012, understudy Stephanie Rothenberg will step into the role of 'Rosemary Pilkington,' temporarily replacing original cast member Rose Hemingway who will return to the show on 1 May 2012.

Ford made her Broadway debut when she assumed the role of 'Christine' from 7 Sep 2010 - 3 Dec 2011 in the musical 'The Phantom of the Opera.' She has also starred in 'Finian's Rainbow' and 'A Little Night Music.' Rothenberg made her Broadway debut in the current production of How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying.

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).

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 currently stars Nick Jonas (J. Pierrepont Finch), Beau Bridges (J. B. Biggley), Michael Urie (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.

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.