Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? by George Axelrod

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The American Century Theater rings in the New Year with the glitz, glamour, and wit of George Axelrod’s 1955 comedy, Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? This Faustian spoof, a big hit penned by a playwright who had many, combines classic romance, slapstick comedy, and the suspense of a duel with the Devil.

“George Axelrod was a master of the Broadway comedy, and we have been looking forward to doing another of his plays since The Seven Year Itch was such a successful production for us,” says TACT Artistic Director Jack Marshall.

George MacCauley is a hack writer with just one published article, “Success Spoil Rock Hunter?” Scheduled to interview reigning Hollywood sex goddess, Rita Marlowe, in her posh New York hotel room, George encounters—and falls into a deal with—the Devil. The play made a star and iconic sex symbol out of the voluptuous unknown, Jayne Mansfield.

Axelrod is a perfect playwright for The American Century Theater’s mission of presenting great plays and playwrights that the theater world seems to have forgotten. One of the best and most versatile comic writers of his time, Axelrod’s triumphs range from Rock Hunter and The Seven Year Itch to award-winning screenplays for film classics Breakfast at Tiffany’s and The Manchurian Candidate.

Show director is TACT Artistic Associate Ellen Dempsey, who directed TACT’s Happy Birthday, Wanda June. TACT Producing Director Sherri L. Perper has assembled a team of designers ready to evoke the mood and style of Fifties Tinseltown, including Anndi Daleske (Set), Rip Claassen (Costumes), Jason Aufdem-Brinke (Lighting), Edward Moser (Sound), and Trena Weiss-Null (Props). Jameson Shroyer (Master Carpenter), Steve Lada Chuck Norris (fight choreographers), and Maggie Clifton (Stage Manager) complete the production staff.

Kari Ginsburg will bring to life the role of vixen Rita Marlowe. Ginsburg last collaborated with Dempsey in TACT’s Happy Birthday, Wanda June, in which she played Penelope Ryan, and has appeared in TACT productions of Ah, Wilderness! and The Crucible. The soul-bartering writer is TACT newcomer Donald Osborne. Making his TACT debut as Bronk Brannigan is James Finley, a regular with Washington Shakespeare Company and Keegan Theatre. Versatile TACT favorite Steve Lebens (An American Century Christmas, Hellzapoppin’, Women Under the Influence) plays the demonic agent, Irving LaSalle. John Tweel and Craig Miller send up the Hollywood archetypes of egomaniacal writer and neurotic movie mogul. Tweel (cast in more TACT shows over the years than any other actor) was last seen in The Titans. Miller appears in his second TACT production, having last played Charlie in Seascape. Rounding out the cast are Leigh Anna Fry (Secretary) and Robert Lavery (Masseur).

Running time: Approximately two hours, including two intermissions.

There is cigarette smoking in this production.