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.

When:

• Saturday, December 5, 2026 at 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
• Sunday, December 6, 2026 at 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Where: Allen Contemporary Theatre - 1210 E Main Street #300, Allen, TX, 75002

Directions: Google Maps to Event Venue Apple Maps to Event Venue

Dance Call & Callbacks: Monday, December 7 at 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM, by invitation only

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.

Credits

Music and lyrics by Frank Loesser
Book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock, and Willie Gilbert

Production Team

Director: Laura Jennings
Assistant Director: Blake Rice
Music Director: Jared Duncan
Choreographer: Amy Parsons
Stage Manager: Candie Blunt
Conductor of Live Band: Scott Eckert

Audition Details

• Sign Up Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090444ACAA2CA4FF2-66983408-audition
• Suggested Listening: https://youtu.be/bb81aZ0FRPw
• Only in person auditions available at this time
• Videos may be accepted, depending on situation
• 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

Actors will receive a stipend of $300.

Contact Info

Please email director at jennriffic@gmail.com for questions.

Tentative Rehearsals & Performances Calendar

A minimal number of rehearsal conflicts will be accepted. No conflicts will be accepted during tech week starting Sunday, March 7. Performance conflicts will not be allowed.

Rehearsals

• Begin Monday, January 25
• Mondays - Thursdays at 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
• Sundays at 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
• Cast Meet and Greet / Script Delivery: Saturday, January 16 at 12:00 PM

Performances

• March 12 - 28
• Thursdays - Saturdays at 8:00 PM
• Sundays at 3:00 PM
• This show will be performed with a live band

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: C3 - G4

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: A3 - B4

A loyal, optimistic secretary who falls for Finch.

J.B. Biggley
45 - 70
Baritone
Vocal range: C3 - A4

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: C3 - F4

Biggley’s lazy, conniving, and schemy nephew who acts as Finch’s chief rival.

Hedy La Rue
21 - 35
Soprano / Mezzo
Vocal range: C4 - Eb5

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: Bb3 - Gb5

Biggley’s gruff, unmovable executive secretary who commands respect.

Mr. Twimble / Mr. Wally Womper
50 - 75
Baritone
Vocal range: C#3 - E4 (Twimble), D3 - E4 (Womper)

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.

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, Tackaberry, 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.