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| “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” is a comedy that spoofs the world of big business including nepotism, coffee breaks, executive lunches and office parties. |
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| Cal Poly Pomona student actors (L-R) Alyssa Cossey as Rosemary; Mike Crotty as J. Pierrepont Finch; and Shaina Zalma as Hedy in a comedy presented by the Music department. |
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| Students Mark Raymond Velarde as Bud Frump; Joel Wilson as J. B. Biggley; and Mike Crotty as J. Pierrepont Finch do “the handshake.” |
The Music department will stage three performances of the award-winning musical “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” May 16-17 at 8 p.m. and May 17 at 2 p.m. in the Music Recital Hall.
Written by Abe Burrows with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” tells the story of J. Pierpont Finch, a young window washer who carries out an amazing climb up the business ladder at World Wide Wicket Company through his strict adherence to a ?how-to? book. The comedy spoofs the world of big business including nepotism, coffee breaks, executive lunches and office parties.
The Cal Poly Pomona production is directed by Susan Burns, musically directed by Janet Noll and choreographed by student Mark Raymond Velarde.
“Encountering a corporate bigwig, a romantically-inclined secretary, a wily competitor and a sexy ex-cigarette girl with ambitions of her own, the intrepid Finch dodges, parries and plans until victory is his,” says Burns. “[This production] is a comic masterpiece of satire and song, a loving and laughing tribute to the ambitious window washer in all of us.”
The cast is comprised of the following Cal Poly Pomona student actors: Mike Crotty as J. Pierrepont Finch, the window washer turned executive; Alyssa Cossey as Rosemary, the pretty secretary who falls for him; Joel Wilson as J. B. Biggley, the president of World Wide Wicket; Mark Raymond Velarde as Bud Frump, Biggley's annoying and social climbing nephew; and Shaina Zalma as Hedy, Biggley's bombshell girlfriend. Others in the cast include Katherine Clever, Jonathan Guillen, Loren Vasquez, Fred Daugherty, Jim York, Frances Chee, Andrea Campos, Donna Dineros, Michelle Garcia, Derek Jamieson, Cynthia Perez and Kathrine Schmidt.
Tickets are $7 general admission and $5 for seniors and children under 12.