The Metropolitan Musical Theatre Company of SA Inc

Auditions

How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying

“How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”, the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical is a story about the triumph of the common man amid the buffoonery of big business.
When a restless, creative, and ambitious window washer named J. Pierrepont Finch happens upon a book entitled ‘How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying’, he decides to begin his rise up the corporate ladder. With the book’s instructions and a dose of cleverness, Finch starts by landing a job in the mailroom at the World Wide Wicket Company, before quickly gaining promotions and outsmarting his scheming, sniveling rival, Frump – who also happens to be the boss’s nephew– until finally reaching the very top of the organization. From the very beginning, Finch has had the love and support of Rosemary, a marriage-minded secretary who
recognizes Finch’s potential and finds his innocent demeanor endearing. But in his single- minded pursuit of the top job, Finch is in danger of discounting Rosemary’s love. In a moment of crisis, Finch’s manual to success can no longer help him: he must rely on his wits, and ultimately, his heart, to save the day.

The immensely clever book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock, and Willie Gilbert, won the Pulitzer Prize in 1962 for Best Drama, and yet is loaded with memorable comic characters and witty dialogue. The standout score by Frank Loesser features such classics as the surreal and funny “Coffee Break”, the rousing “Brotherhood of Man”, and the melodious tongue-in-cheek ballad, “I Believe In You”. 

Director: Carolyn Adams

Musical Director: Jane Feast

Choreographers: Celeste Barone and Barbara Nutchey

Production Dates: May 6th-8th and 11-15th 2027 at 7:30pm

Matinees: Saturdays 8th and 15th at 2pm

Audition Dates and Times

Dates: 15th and 16th Nov 2026

Times: Sunday 2:30pm – 10pm

            Monday 7:30pm – 10pm

Audition Information

Principal Roles

J. Pierrepont Finch

Our story’s protagonist. An irrepressible, clear-eyed, almost puckish hero, he is a window

washer who applies for a job at the World Wide Wicket Company and attempts to climb the

‘ladder of success.’

Stage Age: 18 to 25

Gender: Male

Strong mover. Confident with physical comedy

Vocal range: C3-G4

J.B. Biggley (Baritone)

The pompous, stuffed-shirt, philandering President of ‘World Wide Wicket Co’. Beneath his

ruthless exterior, he is a college lad at heart with a passion for knitting.

Stage Age: 50 to 65 Gender: male Mover. Character Dancer

Vocal range: C3-E4

Bud Frump (Bass-Baritone)

Biggley’s nephew and scheming employee. He is an arrogant sycophant who tries to advance

his career by exploiting his family connections.

Stage Age: 18 to 21

Gender: male

Strong mover- Confident with physical comedy

Vocal range : C3 -F4

Rosemary (Mezzo Soprano)

A secretary at the company who is more interested in finding a man than advancing her

career. She becomes Finch’s love interest.

Age: 20 to 30

Gender: female Needs good comedic timing

Vocal range : A3-G5

Smitty (mezzo soprano/alto)

A secretary with a painfully dry sense of humour. She is a cynical, working woman who is

low-key on the lookout for a man.

Stage Age: 30 to 40

Gender: Female Strong mover

Vocal Range: G3-G5

Hedy LaRue (Mezzo Soprano)

A voluptuous, glamorous woman possessing limited office skills but placed in the company

by Biggley. She sometimes appears dim-witted, but she knows how to manipulate men to

get what she wants!

Stage Age: 25 to 35

Gender: female

Vocal range: Eb5 -C4

Accent : NY desirable

Good mover with strong sense of physical comedy

Miss Jones (Mezzo Soprano)

The stuffy secretary to company President JB. She is abrupt and tough, but soft and kind to

those who are good to her.

Age: 55 to 65

Gender: female

Vocal range: Gb5 – Bb3

Lets rip in ‘Brotherhood of Man’!

Bratt (Baritone)

Executive in Charge of Personnel. A confident, powerful personality, initially affable but is

firmly entrenched in company hierarchy.

Stage Age: 40s-50s

Gender: Male

Mover. Light dancing ability

Mr. Twimble (Baritone)

Supervisor of the mailroom. He is a fussy, old-fashioned, yet loyal employee at the company. 

He believes his success is due to his lack of ambition and ability to remain unnoticed.

Stage Age: 60 to 75

Gender: male

May do a soft shoe shuffle

Vocal range: E4 – C#3

Wally Womper (Baritone) (Can double with Mr Twimble)

The company’s towering Chief Executive Officer and a former window-washer.

Age: 55 to 70 Gender: male

Vocal range: E4- D3

Gatch

A sleazy executive in charge of at least 5 departments, with a penchant for the ladies.

Stage Age: 40 to 60

Gender: male

Dances with the ensemble

Ensemble – Range of Singers/Good Movers and Dancers

Some featured cameo roles including lines:

Executives: Jenkins, Tackaberry, Peterson, Toynbee, Ovington, (all male)

Policeman (male)

Miss Krumholtz: a nervous secretary in the executive pool (female)

Scrubwomen : down to earth indeterminate age (two females)

It is likely that these roles will be cast from the ensemble once rehearsals commence.