On February 28, the theater department presented its first showing of “How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying!” The production proved extraordinarily successful, considering the abundance of compliments that followed as well as a near full-house attendance, and the cast was excited to continue to perform the following week. 

      According to Braden Fastidio, who plays the part of J. Pierpont Finch, the great turnout on Friday night was much needed due to the extraordinarily hard work of all those involved in the production. Brynlee Morrison, one of the participants of the featured ensemble, seconded Fastidio’s remark, saying, “It’s taken a lot of work and effort, but it all payed off in the end.”

     The rigorous eight-week process of preparing for the production began the second week of December. The participants were required to have their music memorized by the end of Christmas break as well as attend the three-hour rehearsals that took place every day of the week. In addition, they also had dance rehearsals every weekend.

      Toward the end of the eight weeks that they had to prepare, preparation only became more stressful. Rehearsals ran between six and eight hours everyday, and one even extended to a total of twelve hours. Additionally, they weren’t even able to practice with the orchestra until the week before their first performance. Nevertheless, despite the many setbacks, they pulled it all together to deliver a great performance.

      When asked to summarize the play, Fastidio responded,” It’s essentially a farce of the 1960s business corporation and a farce of Corporate America played through ridiculously humorous characters and a ridiculously humorous plot.”  However, the best part of the play, he said, is “ just meeting a new group of people. If you haven’t got to know some of the theater kids, you should….they are some of the most accepting people.”

     Although the performance was indeed great, Fastidio emphasized the need for more participants, especially young men, to join the theater department.

      He also advised those who are interested in joining that the best thing they can do is “just be yourself, and be glad to be who you are,” because there is place for every personality in theater. So, if anyone is interested, don’t hesitate to join.