How to succeed in Business without really trying AUDITIONS
HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING
1962 satirical musical comedy with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and a book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock, and Willie Gilbert.
December 5, 2026 2:00-5:00PM
December 6, 2026 7:00-10:00PM
December 7, 2026 Invited Dance Callbacks and Callbacks 7:00PM-10:00PM
Only IN PERSON Auditions available at this time. Videos MAY be accepted, depending on situation. Please email director at jennriffic@gmail.com for questions.
Allen Contemporary Theatre - 1210 E Main St #300, Allen, TX 75002
Directed by Laura Jennings
Assistant Director by Blake Rice
Music Direction by Jared Duncan
Choreography by Amy Parsons
Stage Manager by Candie Blunt
Conductor of Live Band by Scott Eckert
Cast Meet and Greet/Script Delivery: January 16, 2027 12:00PM
Rehearsals begin January 25, 2027 M-Th 7-10pm and Sun 5-9
Performance Dates: March 12-28, 2027
Thursday, Friday and Saturdays at 8:00PM; Sunday at 3:00PM
This show will be performed with a live band.
Audition Sign Up link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090444ACAA2CA4FF2-66983408-audition#/
Audition Requirements:
- Please prepare two contrasting pieces. 32 bars or 1 minute selection in the style of the show, traditional or classic Broadway. You may only be asked to perform one piece. You may sing from the show. Please bring your electronic tracks for your music selections on your phone. A Bluetooth speaker will be provided.
- Invited callbacks and dance auditions are scheduled for December 7, 2026. If invited to dance callbacks, please plan to bring your jazz and tap shoes. The style of the show is musical theater jazz. However, tap may be incorporated, if we have enough tappers.
- Invited callbacks will include cold readings from the script
- A minimal number of rehearsal conflicts will be accepted. No conflicts will be accepted during tech week starting March 7. Performance conflicts will not be allowed.
- Actors will receive a stipend of $300.
Brief Synopsis:
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is a satirical musical and comedy that follows J. Pierrepont Finch, an ambitious young window washer in New York City who uses a step-by-step instructional guidebook to climb from the mailroom to the top of the corporate ladder at the World Wide Wicket Company.
Suggested Listening:
https://youtu.be/bb81aZ0FRPw?si=Ap3XAEL4OdpfmsnI
Characters:
Actors of all ethnicities welcome.
The following are “suggested” age ranges by the publisher. Casting is open and will depend greatly on the ages of people auditioning to create believable relationships between the characters.
BOOK VOICE: Seeking a Julie Andrews type fairy tale reader. This actor will read the book’s lines live each night and also double in the ensemble.
J. PIERREPONT FINCH: Early 20s–30s (Tenor/High Baritone - Vocal range top: G4 Vocal range bottom: C3). A sharp, charming, and opportunistic window washer who uses a satirical self-help manual to climb the corporate ladder.
ROSEMARY PILKINGTON: 20s–30s (Mezzo-Soprano/Alto Vocal range top: B4 Vocal range bottom: A3). A loyal, optimistic secretary who falls for Finch.
J.B. BIGGLEY: 45–70 (Baritone Vocal range top: A4 Vocal range bottom: C3). The self-important, blowhard president of the World Wide Wicket Company with a secret passion for knitting.
BUD FRUMP: 20s–40s (Tenor/Baritone Vocal range top: F4 Vocal range bottom: C3). Biggley’s lazy, conniving, and schemy nephew who acts as Finch’s chief rival.
HEDY LA RUE: 21–35 (Soprano/Mezzo - Vocal range top: Eb5 Vocal range bottom: C4). 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. Biggley's secret mistress.
MISS JONES: 40s–65 (High Belt Soprano Vocal range top: Gb5 Vocal range bottom: Bb3). Biggley’s gruff, unmovable executive secretary who commands respect.
MR. TWIMBLE/MR. WALLY WOMPER: 50–75 (Baritone). Looking for a character actor to combine roles. Twimble is the loyal, low-ambition mailroom head, and Womper is the gruff, blue-collar CEO… and a former window-washer.
TWIMBLE: Vocal range top: E4 Vocal range bottom: C#3
WOMPER: Vocal range top: E4 Vocal range bottom: D3
SMITTY: 20s–45 (Mezzo/Alto). Rosemary’s cynical, dry-witted office friend.
GATCH: 40s-60 A sleazy executive with a penchant for the ladies. Looking for a character actor to combine roles of POLICEMAN and OVINGTON.
BERT BRATT: 30s-50 (baritone) Harried executive that does a quality job. Bratt is central to the hiring and firing that moves the plot along, and is one of the only executives who seems to do his job.
MISS KRUMHOLTZ- 20s-60 (Mezzo-Soprano-Alto – role is flexible) Miss Krumholtz is the professional secretary that is completely loyal to the executive she is assigned to that day. Looking for a character actress.
ENSEMBLE Casting a strong and busy ensemble to portray named characters in the script (TOYNBEE, DAVIS, JENKINS, TAKABERRY, SECRETARIES, SCRUBWOMAN) and some non-speaking ensemble.
Looking for very versatile actors who can sing and dance well. Some ensemble members will be featured with lines or solos, and possibly dance solos. The ensemble is KEY to this show with so many large dance numbers and large ensemble scenes. Actors must have an understanding of satire, melodrama, comedic timing, and acting style of the early 1960s.