SST's "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying"

Simsbury Summer Theatre will be performing its 53rd annual show, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, August 1-4 at the Werner Centennial Theatre in Simsbury. This family-friendly musical comedy has something for everyone – fast-paced dance numbers, comedic characters, and show-stopping music. A satirical look at the “Mad Men” corporate culture of the 1960s, H2$’s Broadway runs have starred Matthew Broderick, Harry Potter’s Daniel Radcliffe and Glee’s Darren Criss. The story follows the young and ambitious J. Pierrepont Finch, who, with the help of a book called “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” sings and dances his way up the corporate ranks from window washer to Chairman of the Board for the World Wide Wicket Company in record time.

SST is a self-funded, not-for-profit organization that provides a comprehensive theatre experience for high school and college students; members come from towns all over the Farmington Valley and Western Massachusetts. Led by Artistic and Musical Director Joe Campolieta, now in his 20th year with SST, the professional staff includes Associate Director (and SST alumni) Amanda Mule, and Choreographer Lesley Lambert of the New England School of Dance. Along with the technical theatre advisors, they provide the necessary leadership and skillset to produce a show. Both staff and adult volunteers mentor, teach and guide members backstage and onstage during the six-week process. SST has been producing a show annually since 1966, when the young adult members of the St. Mary’s Players asked the director of the multi-age theatre group to help them produce a show.

Performances of H2$: 7:00 p.m. August 1, 2, and 3; 2:00 p.m. on August 4. Tickets can be purchased online at www.simsburysummertheatre.org, or every Tuesday and Thursday 6:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the lobby of the theater (at Westminster School in Simsbury). The box office will also be open an hour prior to each show. Ticket information line: 860-325-0522