Baldwin High School presents 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying'

J. Pierrepont Finch is a man who knows what he wants.

He climbs the corporate ladder from lowly window washer to a high-powered executive in the musical “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.”

“I love Finch,” said Quintin Michalski, a senior who was cast as Finch for Baldwin High School’s spring musical. “He is a go-getter. He weasels his way into things. He’s not a liar. He just gets by as best as he can. He has such a bold confidence about him. It’s fun to be him.”

It’s not so fun for the characters around Finch, especially Bud Frump, played by senior Max Pratley.

“Bud’s character is a comic villain,” Pratley said. “He is a spoiled brat who finds a way to get what he wants … that is until Finch comes along, and Frump gets mad. I love being part of this musical. It’s pretty cool to be someone else for a little bit.”

The show is billed as “Broadway meets Wall Street.”

Finch works at the World Wide Wicket Company. He has a squeegee in one hand and a copy of the book “How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying,” in the other.

He uses the handbook to tackle familiar but potent dangers as the aggressively compliant “company man,” the office party, backstabbing coworkers, caffeine addiction and, of course, true love.

The show is based on the book by Abe Burrows and music by Frank Loesser, which includes “I Believe in You,” “Brotherhood of Man” and “The Company Way.”

Joe Joyce, a Brookline native who lives in Mt. Lebanon, is the show’s director. It’s his second production with the high school.

Joyce has a BFA in theatre from Boston University and MFA in musical theatre from San Diego State University.

He has directed and choreographed shows such as “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” “Merrily We Roll Along,” “Falsettos, “Nine,” “Cole Porter’s Red, Hot and Blue,” “Sweet Charity” and “Bye Bye Birdie.”

He’s performed on Broadway in “Swinging On A Star” and Radio City Music Hall’s “Encore.” He’s toured with the “The Mystery of Edwin Drood,” “La Cage Aux Folles,” and “42ND Street.”

Off-Broadway, he appeared in “Pageant,” “Forever Plaid” and “Forbidden Hollywood LA.”

Michalski said having Joyce as director is wonderful because he has “such great experience and understanding of theater.”

Joyce’s first performance was in “Hello Dolly!” at the former South Hills Catholic High School (now Seton LaSalle).

His first show at Baldwin was “Once Upon a Mattress,” for which he was able to get costumes from the 1996 Broadway revival show, including clothing worn by actress Sarah Jessica Parker as Princess Winnifred.

“I took a guess at last year’s play because I really didn’t know the kids, but they did a great job,” Joyce said. “I like to choose musicals from the past.”

Joyce said being part of a theater production is about teamwork. It’s not just learning lines and music.

“There is a bonding among the cast and crew and orchestra,” Joyce said. “There is no hierarchy here. Everybody is collaborating.”

Auditions were held in December. Rehearsals began in early January. There are 70 students in grades nine through 12 who are part of the production.

Joyce and production manager Beth DePetro helped acquire props for the show, such as a $25 black leather couch they found on Facebook Marketplace.

This will be the first musical for senior Michael Scarpaci. He plays Bert Bratt, the company’s personnel manager, who treats Finch a little rough.

“I thought it would be fun to be part of the show, so I am trying it,” he said.

Finch convinces Bratt to offer Finch a job as a junior executive in the plans and systems department. When Frump finds out about this, he is upset. Finch eventually works his way to vice-president in charge of advertising before being given the title of chairman of the board.

As for Frump … well you will have to see the play to find out what happens to him.

Jay Puff, a junior, plays Miss Jones, the secretary for J.B. Biggley, the feared president of the company. She is known for being aggressive and mean. Some people refer to her as the “the Wicked Witch of the West,” Puff said, but her character doesn’t know that.

“Miss Jones warms up to Finch,” Puff said. “He tries to kiss up to her. It’s such a great show. Performing gives me such a rush. When I am on stage I feel so alive. It’s where I belong.”

Performances are March 30-April 2 in the Regis V Shalley Performing Arts Center at the high school school. Tickets are $15 for adults, $6 for children under 10. They will be available online and at the door the night of the shows.

For tickets or more information, visit baldwindrama.weebly.com.