AUDITIONS

Monday, March 3nd at 7pm-10pm

Tuesday, March 4th at 7pm-10pm

Callbacks: Wednesday, March 5th & 6th (if needed)

You do not need to attend both nights of auditions.

Rehearsal Dates*
Starting March 10th - May 1st.
Sunday-Thursday, Sunday 6-9pm and
weekday evenings 7-10pm.
*Please note, you may not be called to all rehearsals.
Occasional Saturdays may be scheduled.

Performance Dates
May 2nd-18th: Fri. & Sat. 8pm & Sundays 2pm

Audition Requirements:

Please bring a headshot and resume. Please prepare 32 bars of a musical theater song that best fits and showcases your range. An accompanist will be provided. Please bring clearly marked sheet music in the correct key and do not sing acapella. A short dance audition will be held at 7pm. Please bring character shoes if you have them, or something you can dance in.

Please note that The Heights Players is a non-profit theater and this is a non-equity production. All cast and crew volunteer their time and talent. The Heights Players is a membership organization, there is no pay or stipend for any role or position. There is a $20 membership fee, if cast.

The Heights Players is located at: 26 Willow Place, bet. State & Joralemon Streets in Brooklyn Heights. Click For Directions to the John Bourne Theater

How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying

Book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock, Willie Gilbert
Music & Lyrics by Frank Loesser

Directed by Marie Ingrisano Isner

Synopsis: Climb the corporate ladder of 1960's big business with wit, charm, and a Little Bit of Luck!

Big business means big laughs in this delightfully clever lampoon of life on the corporate ladder. 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," "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.

An irreverent and tuneful romp, jam-packed with sly, swift and sharp jabs to the funny bone, How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying is a surefire hit! This show requires a large cast, featuring many roles for all types of performers and a great opportunity to showcase your male ensemble.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

Please note that people of all races, gender identities, and abilities are encouraged to audition for this inclusive and collaborative production. We will also be casting Understudies for Lead Roles & Ensemble Swing Roles.

MEN J. PIERREPONT (Ponty) FINCH – Window cleaner. (Age 20-35) Finch is young and driven to succeed in the business world with the aid of his trusty book. He is charming and self-assured, but occasionally unnerved by the intensity and speed of his rise to power, and the rather underhand way he’s getting there. With quite an opportunistic, self-centred personality, the role requires an actor with natural charisma and charm to keep the audience on his side.
J.B. BIGGLEY - President of the World Wide Wicket Company. (Age 40+) Biggley is the head of the company, and makes sure everyone knows it. However, he is completely brought to his knees by the women in his life, and finds solace in knitting. Great character part – will need to be able to sing and dance through ‘Grand Old Ivy’.
BUD FRUMP - Biggley’s nephew. (Age 20-35) The boss’s nephew and Finch’s nemesis. An arrogant, obnoxious young man who makes numerous attempts to advance his career through devious schemes and by using his family connections. A very funny part.
BERT BRATT - Personnel Manager (Age 30+) Bratt is central to the hirings and firings that move the plot along, and is one of the only executives who seems to do his job - mainly by permanently agreeing with the boss.
MR TWIMBLE - Head of the Mail Room (Age 40+) He is a genuinely likeable guy. Believes his longevity with the company (25 years in the mailroom) is due to his lack of ambition and his knack at staying unnoticed.
WALLY WOMPER - Chairman of the Board (Age 50+) Womper is a grumpy looking man who is largely silent. When he does speak, he is revealed to be a gruff but charming man who is proud of his blue-collar background - only appears towards the end of the show and sings in Brotherhood of Man.
MILT GATCH - Head of Plans and Systems (Age 30+) Gatch is a confident and rather sleazy executive who is not immune to an attractive female.
BENJAMIN BURTON DANIEL OVINGTON - New head of advertising (Age 30+) Ovington is the golden boy. Handsome and smart. He is hired to head up the advertising department - until he is fired for having studied at Biggley’s rival college. Male ensemble (Junior Executives) (ages 20 and upwards) Various vocal ranges. There are several other named male characters with speaking parts who will be auditioned at a later date.
BOOK VOICE - The all knowing voice of the “How to Succeed” book. In this production we are experimenting with different ways to bring this character to life and have him be a presence on-stage. Looking for someone with an authoritative, yet playful demeanor who is up for some improvising and interaction with Finch on stage.
ROSEMARY PILKINGTON – Office Secretary (Age 20-35) A secretary who is far more interested in finding a man to marry than advancing her career. After meeting Ponty, she immediately sets her sights on becoming Mrs. Finch. She supports him in his climb to succeed in the company. She is spurned and ignored several times throughout the show, but continues to return to Finch.
HEDY LA RUE - The Other Woman (Age 25-40) Hedy is the sexy bombshell who is having an affair with Biggley. She is not bright, but knows how to use her looks to succeed in the company. She later appears as the pirate mascot in the company “treasure hunt.”
SMITTY - Office Secretary (Age 25-35) Smitty is friend and confidante of Rosemary. She is less idealistic (although also keen to find a man) than Rosemary and encourages her in her efforts to snag Finch. Good comedy role – quick-witted and cynical with a dry sense of humour.
MISS JONES - Mr. Biggley’s secretary (Age 40+) Miss Jones is the abrupt and tough executive secretary to Biggley. She keeps him in line, and all employees try to stay out of her way - although Finch manages to get his way onto her good side.
MISS KRUMHOLTZ - Mr. Gatch’s secretary (Age 25+) Miss Krumholtz is the professional secretary that is completely loyal to the executive she is assigned to that day.
Female ensemble (Secretaries) (ages 20 and upwards) Various vocal ranges.