How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is a success at CLOC!

The College Light Opera Company (CLOC) is proud to present How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying as the seventh show of its 46th season. This is CLOC’s fourth production of How to Succeed, which was done in the 1991 1998, and 2008 seasons.

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is about the triumph of one common man, and his dastardly rise to the top.

Our hero is a window washer named J. Pierpont Finch, who has recently begun reading a book entitled How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Following the instructions of the book, Finch lands a job in the mailroom of the World Wide Wicket Company, quickly gains promotions, befriends J.B. Biggley, the arrogant president of the company, and attempts to outsmart his rival, Bud Frump - who also happens to be the boss's nephew. Aiding Finch is an ambitious secretary of the company, the love smitten Rosemary.

Will Finch get to the top rung of the ladder? Will he defeat the smarmy Bud Frump? Will Rosemary’s win Finch’s affections? Let us find out!

This production is led by stage director Robert W. Schneider and music director Mary Marcell. This is Schneider’s first CLOC production. Marcell will also music direct H.M.S. Pinafore from August 12-16. Schneider, from New York, NY, received his degrees from California Lutheran University and Penn State. He most recently served as the Associate Director of Sweeney Todd, which starred Academy Award winner Emma Thompson and Tony Award Winner Audra McDonald. Mr. Schneider is a freelance theatre director with over one hundred credits in theatre, television, and film to his resume. He has recently directed Nine (Fordham University), Twisted (w/Glee’s Darren Criss), and is about to direct the regional premiere of Memphis: The Musical in Los Angeles.

He proudly teaches musical theatre for Penn State University, Yale University, and the New York Film Academy. Marcell, also from New York, NY, received her degrees from Smith College and the Hartt School of Music. She returns to CLOC for her 21st season and has led over 30 CLOC productions as a Principal Conductor. Based in the New York City area, Mary leads groups ranging from a 12-voice vocal jazz ensemble to the 180 performers of her annual Festival Chorus Concert. Mary chairs the music department at Rye Country Day School, where she

teaches the Upper School Choruses, AP Music Theory, and music directs the Student/Faculty musical.

The cast is full of new CLOC vocal company members. Talents to look forward to are Rebecca Brudner as Smitty (Brooklyn, NY – Yale University ’16), Victoria Erickson as Hedy La Rue (Northfield, MN – Concordia College ’15) Will Hawkins as Bud Frump, (Alexandria, VA – UNC Chapel Hill ’14), and Mike McCann as J.B. Biggley (Winslow, ME – Middlebury College ’15).


Returners to look for include Maggie Langhorne as Rosemary (Santa Barbara, CA – Oberlin Conservatory of Music ’16) and Nick Martiniano as J. Pierpont Finch (Troy, NY – Russell Sage College ’15).