“How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” Premieres this Weekend at WFHS

 OCEAN Arts is proud to present their 11th spring musical at William Floyd High School, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, on Friday and Saturday, March 25-26. This wild and wacky show will have audiences hysterical as it lampoons the outdated stereotypes of the 1950s office environment.

This self-aware show about ladder-climbing and outdated office politics premiered on Broadway in 1961 and swept the 1962 Tony awards. It has been revived many times over the years, and the lead part of J. Pierrepoint Finch has most recently been played by Daniel Radcliffe, Darren Criss and Joe Jonas.

“Our production takes on some of the spirit of the 1995 and 2011 productions, in an effort to modernize some of the dated attitudes of the original,” says director Kyle Imperatore, William Floyd High School Class of 2011. “I have been working with some of these seniors since they were in sixth grade, and I really wanted to do something unique and different with them. I think the audience will love the great song and dance numbers and the tongue-in-cheek humor this show provides.”

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is an OCEAN Arts production, in partnership with the William Floyd School District, with support from the Community Library Friends of the Arts. The show is produced and costumed by Kathi Bertos. Sets were created by Chris Miranda who is also the music director. Recently retired band director Michael Cordaro has returned to direct the pit orchestra, and sound and light duties are handled by Susan Cordaro and Garrett Rode. Christopher Loeschner returns as choreographer.

Producer Kathi Bertos and the OCEAN Arts board are excited to present the show to the community. “It’s [the pandemic] been such a tough time for all of us, but these kids have really suffered, they’ve lost so much and we are so glad to be able to give this to them,” she said. “Every time, in good times and bad times this amazing community comes out and supports them and supports us, and we are so grateful, we think everyone will really enjoy this show.”

Upcoming OCEAN Arts projects include Guys and Dolls Jr. at William Floyd Middle School on May 6 and 7, and the planned return of theater summer camp for elementary and middle school students, as well as a high school summer production.

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying will be presented at William Floyd High School on Friday, March 25 at 7 pm and Saturday, March 26 at 1 pm and 7 pm. Tickets are $20 each for the general public, $10 for William Floyd students of all ages. Tickets can be purchased in advance online at oceanarts.org or in person (cash or check only) at the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library main desk until Thursday, March 24. Tickets will also be available at the door one hour prior to show times.