Members of the cast of London High Schools’ production of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” rehearse the song and dance number, “Coffee Break,” during which characters freak out when the office coffee machine runs out of coffee.
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
London High School’s production of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” is packed with singing, dancing and corporate ladder greed.
“Melinda Scott, my assistant director, saw the musical on Broadway last summer and thought it would be a great match for our kids,” said director Teri Gray.
“We have a lot of great male and female singers who can sing and dance at the same time—a lot of juniors and seniors plus sophomores who were great in ‘Oklahoma’ last year and have stepped up to the plate.”
The central character in the story is J. Pierrepont Finch (played by senior Jack Spahn), a young man trying to make a name for himself by following “rules” set out in a book titled “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.”
Finch works at World Wide Wicket Co. on Park Avenue in New York City, where the boss’s nephew, Bud Frump (senior Garrett Stout), is equally as ambitious but has no book to go by.
“These two are the source of conflict throughout the show,” Gray said. “With Pierrepont, you like him, but he’s a schemer. He sets people up to fail. Bud Frump is a schemer, too, but you don’t like him.”
Also playing lead roles are senior Bailee Mayne as Rosemary, Finch’s love interest, and sophomore Elena Richardson as Smitty, Rosemary’s best friend. Junior James George plays J.B. Biggley, co-president of the company. Playing Hedy, J.B.’s va-va-va-voom secretary and mistress, is senior Delaney Hill.
Among the big song-and-dance numbers are “Coffee Break” which opens the show, “I Believe in You” and “Brotherhood of Man.”
All totaled, the “How to Succeed” cast numbers 54 on stage and five backstage.
Several adult volunteers are part of the package, too: Brynne Mayne, stage director; Jessica Berick, choreographer; Dr. Mitchell Spahn and his crew, set design and construction; Sheri Spahn, Lynette Salazar, Mary Richardson and Melinda McKenzie, costumers; and Shannon Treynor, accompanist.
Show times
March 12—Dress rehearsal and free show for senior citizens only. Refreshments served at 6:30 p.m. Show at 7 p.m.
March 13-14—7 p.m.
March 15—2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tickets
For evening performances March 13-15, admission is $10 for adults and $5 for senior citizens and students. For the afternoon show on March 15, tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for senior citizens and students. All tickets can be purchased at the door.
