Independence Community Theater announces auditions for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying by Frank Loesser and book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock, and Willie Gilbert, directed by Richard Todd.

Auditions will be held at the Independence Community Theater at 6652 Brecksville Road Independence, OH 4413 on Wednesday, January 8th and Thursday, January 9th from 7pm to 9pm. If requested, callbacks will be held on Sunday, January 12th also at the Theater. 

The production will run from March 7th through 23rd with rehearsals beginning the week of January 13th. 

Please come prepared with 18 bars of music in the style of the show, a headshot, resume and list of conflicts.Be prepared for movement and pieces from the script will be provided. Also plan to stay for the entire time. 

Below is the synopsis and character list of the show: 

Synopsis:

Big business means big laughs in this delightfully clever lampoon of life on the corporate ladder in the 1960's. A tune-filled comic gem that took Broadway by storm, winning both the Tony Award for Best Musical and a Pulitzer Prize, How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying boasts an exhilarating score by Frank Loesser, including "I Believe in You," "Coffee Break," "Brotherhood of Man" and "The Company Way."

A satire of big business and all it holds sacred, How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying follows the rise of J. Pierrepont Finch, who uses a little handbook called How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying to climb the corporate ladder from lowly window washer to high-powered executive, tackling such familiar but potent dangers as the aggressively compliant "company man," the office party, backstabbing coworkers, caffeine addiction and, of course, true love.

As the show begins, J. Pierrepont Finch, a young window washer, is pouring over a how-to book for transforming himself into a tycoon. He soon bluffs his way into a job in the mail room at World Wide Wicket Company, where he catches the eye of secretary Rosemary Pilkington. With a mixture of innocence and smarts, our hero continues to climb the ladder of success, impressing boss J.B. Biggley while overcoming opposition from Biggley’s lazy nephew, Bud Frump.

Character List: 

• J. Pierrepont Finch: (Male) Our story’s protagonist. An irrepressible, clear-eyed, almost puckish hero, he is a window washer who applies for a job at the World Wide Wicket Company and attempts to climb the “ladder of success.” Must have excellent comic timing. Character singer.

• Rosemary Pilkington: (Female) A secretary at the company who is more interested in finding a man than advancing her career. She becomes Finch’s love interest. Legit Broadway Belt.

• Bud Frump: (Male) The nephew of the company’s President and a scheming employee. He is an arrogant sycophant who tries to advance his career by exploiting his family connections. Comic timing and character singer.

• Smitty: (Female) A secretary with a painfully dry sense of humor. She is a cynical “working woman” who is on the lookout for a man. Must belt well.

• Hedy LaRue: (Female) A voluptuous, sexually charged woman adored by all of the men. She may appear dim-witted, but she knows how to manipulate men to get what she wants.

• J.B. Biggley: (Male) The stuffed-shirt, philandering President of World Wide Wicket. Beneath his ruthless exterior, he is a college lad at heart with a passion for knitting.

• Miss Jones: (Female) J.B.’s stuffy secretary who is abrupt and tough, but soft and kind to those who are good to her. Must sing well.

• Mr. Bratt: (Male) Head of HR, and the most trusted man in the company. Must sing well.

• Mr. Gatch: (Male) A sleazy executive with a penchant for the ladies.

• Mr. Twimble: (Male) He is a fussy, old-fashioned, yet loyal employee at the company. Supervisor of the mailroom, he believes his success is due to his lack of ambition and ability to remain unnoticed. Character singer. (Note: The same actor will play both Twimble and Womper.)

• Wally Womper: (Male) The company’s Chief Executive Officer and a really tough boss. (Note: The same actor will play both Twimble and Womper.)

• Ensemble