Finch or Frump?

[TheBalladeer]

Posted: 8/24/13 at 9:00pm

Hi All!

I was just cast in a production of How To Succeed, in the role of Frump. A colleague of mine was more excited about it than I was, stating that this role "steals the show". Is this true? I think the role of Finch is great! Would have loved the opportunity to play him.

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 8/24/13 at 9:03pm

In the recent revival, both Christopher J. Hanke and Michael Urie stole plenty of scenes as Frump.

[Kad]

Posted: 8/24/13 at 9:05pm

Frump can definitely be a scene-stealing role.

[Playbilly]

Posted: 8/24/13 at 9:09pm

If your show has a weak Finch...you can steal, easily!

[TheBalladeer]

Posted: 8/24/13 at 9:48pm

Thanks for the input! Well see how this goes!

[jnb9872]

Posted: 8/24/13 at 9:56pm

Just make sure your scene-stealing feats of Frumpery are in service of the story, and you'll do great.

When I was in HS, I was always cast as older roles (being either an old soul or just plain uglier than the fresh-faced kids around me who were cast as romantic leads) and one such role that I'll never forget was Sir Toby in TWELFTH NIGHT. The first night of our run, our director wandered in to the wings before Act I Scene iii, Toby and Andrew's first debaucherous adventure. We were surprised he wasn't watching the performance, but that he'd come backstage and paid us a visit. He simply said, right before we went out: "Steal this ****ing show."

It turns out, for that production and for those roles, it was exactly the direction we needed, as it was an incredibly successful run that week. And probably the most satisfying performance I've ever given.

So have fun and serve the story. It's a fantastic show.

[budfrump]

Posted: 8/25/13 at 12:26am

Frump is a fantastic role! (I love it, considering my username). Charles Nelson Reilly won a Tony Award for playing him in the OBC! Just don't TRY to steal scenes, just do the role and don't base it off of the fact that you want to steal scenes, or else your performance will come off as annoying!

Have fun, and break a leg!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/25/13 at 12:59am

And dare'st I say it? There are no small roles, only small actors.

[Emmaloucbway]

Posted: 8/25/13 at 3:57pm

Frump is a fantastic role! You can definitely steal scenes, especially depending on who is playing Finch. I agree with the above poster about the revival Frumps (Hanke and Urie), they were hilarious!

[justoldbill]

Posted: 8/25/13 at 9:25pm

Just remember, the key to this role is- YOU WANT TO GET OUT OF THE MAIL ROOM!

[eperkins]

Posted: 8/26/13 at 2:52pm

Just remember, the key to this role is- YOU WANT TO GET OUT OF THE MAIL ROOM!

BUT - you don't want to work hard to do it!