NE to succeed while trying
by Ashley Smicker
ne news editor

The NE production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, a musical comedy, opens Wednesday, April 28, in the NE Playhouse.

The play follows an ambitious window washer named Finch and his rise up the corporate ladder using the advice in a book.

“ It is a fun, smart and sexy play about different times when the office was male dominated,” Jena Springer, who plays a secretary, said.

Finch, the main character in the play, is certain that this book, How to Succeed, is his guide to success, so he decides to follow the book’s instructions.

Finch (John Davenport) soon lands a job in the mailroom and catches the eye of a pretty young secretary named Rosemary (Brina Palencia).

With the help of his instruction manual, Finch stages a swift and miraculous climb through company ranks: from the mailroom to junior executive in Plans and Systems to head of Plans and Systems to vice president in charge of Advertising.

While climbing to the top, Finch outwits his enemies, particularly Bud Frump (Stephen Platt), the jealous nephew of J.B. Biggley (Jamie Rivera), the president of the company.

“ It is a well put together play, and everyone did their best to get everything done with no conflicts,” Marisol Sanchez, who plays Hedy LaRue, said.

At the end of his climb to the top, Finch discovers he must use his own wits to continue to succeed in business.

The play is based on a book written by Shepherd Mead while he was working as a vice-president of a large advertising firm in New York.

“ It is a very humorous play and adult audiences should really enjoy it,” Alyssa Pugsley, a secretary in the musical, said.

Performances start at 8 p.m. April 28-May 1. Matinees will be at 2 p.m. April 29 and May 1.

Tickets are $5 for the general public; $3 for non-TCC students 18 and under and senior citizens; and free for TCC students, faculty and staff with college I.D.

For reservations, call the box office at 817-515-6687.

Last Updated: 4/21/2004
Copyright © 2004 The Collegian - All Rights Reserved