AUDITIONS
“How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying”
A MUSICAL COMEDY
BY:
Frank Loesser
Book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert
Based on A Book by Shepherd Mead
The Farmington Players Barn is holding auditions Sunday January 18th, for the hit musical comedy How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. The story focuses on a young businessman and his bizarre ambition to climb the corporate ladder. With the help of a special book, J. Pierrepont Finch rises from window washer to Chairman of the board of the World Wide Wicket Company.
The musical is by
Frank Loesser, book by
Abe Burrows,
Jack Weinstock, and
Willie Gilbert. It’s based on
Shepherd Mead's 1952
book of the same name.
For show related questions contact:
howtosucceed@farmingtonplayers.org
The story concerns young, ambitious J. Pierrepont Finch, who, with the help of the book How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, rises from window washer to chairman of the board of the World Wide Wicket Company.
WHERE: Auditions at The Farmington Players Barn 32332 W. 12 Mile Road Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334
WHEN: NOTICE SUNDAY JANUARY 18, 2015 Registration at 11am Auditions begin at noon
CREW: Director: Brian Tupper, Assistant Directors: Cynthia Tupper & Maggie Einhaus, Musical Director: Steve Woznicki, Choreographer: Mary Murphy Producers: MaryAnn Tweedie & Dave Gilkes
Show Dates: April 24,25,26, May 1,2,3,7,8,9,10,14,15,16
Mandatory Rehearsal Dates: April 11 (Sat), April 18 (Sat), April 20, 21, 22(DRESS)
Rehearsal Schedule: Due to the larger amount of big chorus numbers, music & dance rehearsals will start in Feb. There will be a concentrated effort to learn the music first. There will be 3 rehearsals per week, including Sat rehearsals for dance in a studio in Livonia. There will be some Friday rehearsals starting in March.
Auditions: All those auditioning for leads be prepared to sing the solos included in the casting notice. Everything will also be posted on the Farmington Players website at farmingtonplayers.org. A pianist will be used to accompany the auditioners. Please wear comfortable clothes that you can move in for dancing. Bring dance shoes if you own them.
First read thru for cast: Mon Jan. 19 7pm at The Barn
Casting notice, music & some sides will be available on the Farmington Players website: farmingtonplayers.org
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:
Finch: 304 speeches & 10 songs ( 30’s) Our hero. A young man whose meteoric
progress from window cleaner to company chairman owes little to his
qualifications and more to his quick thinking, single?mindedness and the aid of a
good instruction manual. Must have a great smile.
Vocal Range: Bari/Tenor C to high Gb
Audition Cuts: I Believe in You” pp. 212 “E thru K”..
Rosemary: 127 speeches & 8 songs (30’s) Our heroine. A pretty young secretary
of above average qualifications, who in keeping with the 60’s mindset, sets her
career path on becoming Mrs. Finch.
Vocal Range: Alto/Belter? bottom A to top D
Audition Cut: “Happy to Keep His Dinner Warm” pp. 152, pick?ups to letter “D”
to end.
Mr. Biggley: 161 speeches & 6 songs late 50’s 60’s) The Boss, President of the
World Wide Wicket Company. A ruthless, consequently successful, businessman,
who knits, fools around and still fancies himself a college lad at heart.
Vocal Range: Baritone – C to high G
Audition Cut: “Grand Old Ivy” pg. 18eoh52 to “G”
Hedy: 105 speeches & 3 songs (30’s) The femme fatale. Ex night club cigarette
girl, a would be secretary under the boss’s protection. Oh and did we say
voluptuous & delectable.
Vocal Range: Mezzo – low C to C
Audition cut: “Love From A Heart if Gold” pp. 208, “G’ to end.
Bud Frump: 94 speeches & 6 songs (30’s) The villain, the boss’s nephew. An
obnoxious young man who can’t make it to the top in spite of his devious
machinations and family connections....Finch’s nemesis.
Vocal Range: Tenor Baritone – low A to E
Audition Cut: “#6 Company Way – Reprise” pp. 165 Beginning to ‘E” (sing in all
parts)
Bratt: 77 speeches & 2 songs: (40’s? 50’s) The Personnel Manager, adept in the
main skill required for holding his job....agreeing with the Boss!
Vocal Range: Baritone – low Db to D
Audition Cut: “A Secretary—“ pp. 169 beginning to “D”
Smitty: 50 speeches & 5 songs (30’s?40’s) The best friend. A big hearted but
cynical working girl. A good secretary and likely to remain just that.
Vocal Range: Alto/mezzo – low B to C
Audition Cut: “Been A Long Day” pp. 174 beginning thru three measures after “E”
Miss Jones: 35 speeches & 3 songs (late 30’s?50’s) Mr. Biggley’s secretary, who
enjoys the respect her position and mature years command. Has the knockout
singing solo in Brotherhood of Man
Vocal Range: Soprano – A to high Ab
Audition cut: “Brotherhood of Man” pp.222, Letter “Q” to stop at “V”
Twimble: 23 speeches 2 songs (40’s?60’s) An example of how NOT to succeed.
A loyal company man with 25 years service spent climbing from mail?room worker
to head of the mail room. If possible we will double up this person as another
character.
Vocal Range: Baritone – low C to Bb
Audition Cut: “The Company Way” pg.158, Beginning to “G” (sing Finch’s parts as well)
Miss Krumholtz: 12 speeches & 3 songs (30’s ?50’s) Vocal Range: Mezzo – low C to Bb Audition Cut: “Paris Original” pp. 171 (pickups “J” to “M” (sing in all parts)
Wally Wompers: 17 speeches & 2 songs (60’s?70’s) The down to earth Chairman of the Board of World Wide Wickets with a working class background similar to Finch.
Vocal Range: Baritone – low D to E
Audition Cut: “The Company Way” pp. 221, pickups to “M” to “P”
Miss Krumholtz (12 speeches) 30’s – 50’s Vocal Range: Mezzo – low C to Bb Audition Cut: “Paris Original” pp. 171 pickups to “J” “M” (sing in all parts)
Book Voice: 10 speeches (any age...it’s the voice thing that matters & will be done live) Our Hero’s unseen Mentor. Also will be doubled up with another smaller part like the TV Announcer or Ovington
TV Announcer: 7 speeches ( 30’s ?60’s) One scene only...will be doubled up. Gatch: 22 speeches & songs (40’s ?50’s) An almost successful executive with a
fatal penchant for the ladies.
Ovington: 7 speeches & 1 song ( late 40’s ?50’s) The traitor....a chipmunk! One scene only...will be doubled up with other chorus
Smaller named parts for men & women:
Jenkins (16), Tackaberry ( 8), Johnson ( 1) , Matthews ( 1) , Toynbee (7), Peterson (1) Policeman (2)
Miss Krumholtz (12), Scrubwoman # 1 ( 2), Scrubwoman # 2 (3)
There will be doubling up of named executives as other characters in scenes such as Mailroom, Coffee Break or pirates. The same will be true of the female chorus who will all be given names as well. The cast size will be about 26
Chorus Ensemble Audition Song (for both men & women)
Audition Cut “Finale” pp 225, entire song. Choose the note you’re the most comfortable with at the end.
8 Male chorus numbers: Coffee Break, The Company Way, A Secretary is not a Toy, Been A Long Day, Old Ivy, I Believe In You, Brotherhood of Man, Finale
7 Female chorus numbers: Coffee Break, A Secretary Is Not A Toy, Been A Long Day, Paris Original, Cinderella Darling, Hallelujah, Finale
Videos
