01/02/07

Lake Michigan College to Hold Auditions for
"How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying"

BENTON TOWNSHIP, MI - On Wednesday and Thursday, January 17 and 18, Lake Michigan College will hold open auditions for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Auditions will begin at 7 p.m. each day in the Mendel Center's Hanson Theatre on the LMC Napier Avenue Campus.

The production will be held Thursday through Saturday, March 29 - 31 at 8 p.m. each evening, with a matinee performance on Sunday, April 1, at 3 p.m.

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is a satire of corporate America. Based on a novel by Shepherd Mead, it opened on Broadway in 1961, with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert. The show won seven Tony Awards and the 1962 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. In 1995, Matthew Broderick garnered a Tony for his performance of Finch in the revival version of the play.

J. Pierrepont Finch uses a copy of a little handbook entitled "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" to break into the high-pressure business world and all it holds sacred. It's just another day at the office as Finch tackles the boss' nephew a whiny, "company man;" the backstabbing of co-workers; the dreaded office party; coffee breaks for the caffeine addicted and an office love affair.

The cast includes 18 male parts, 8 female parts and a chorus. LMC offers a Stagecraft class (DRAM 112) to earn credit for working as part of the backstage crew. The crew is responsible for building and painting the set as well as working with sound, lighting, costumes and properties before and during the show.

Those interested in auditioning for the production should come dressed comfortably ready to sing, dance and read. Those interested in backstage work will only be required to complete an audition sheet.

For questions regarding auditions or theatre classes open during the Winter 2007 semester, contact Kevin Wurz, LMC theatre director, at (269) 927-8627.