By Brenda Sexton-The Courier-Herald

It may be an easy climb for J. Pierrepont Finch to move up the corporate ladder in the musical “How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying,” but for the cast of White River High School's production it's been rehearsal after rehearsal.

The school's drama, band, choir and orchestra departments join forces to present Frank Loesser and Abe Burrows' musical at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and May 30 and 31 in the high school auditorium. Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for students.

A 2 p.m. matinee May 31 will star the understudies. Tickets for that performance will be $8 for adults and $4 for students.

Opening night, there will also be a dessert buffet at 6 p.m. in the White River High commons. Tickets are $15.

The 1962 Tony Award-winning Broadway play is about a window-washer on the fast track of a big-time company. The comedy-musical won a 1962 Pulitzer Prize, was turned into a 1967 movie and was brought back to Broadway in 1995 with Matthew Broderick playing J. Pierrepont Finch and Megan Mullaly portraying Rosemary. Broderick won a Tony Award for his performance.

White River's version is directed by Julie Miller. Band and orchestra leader Tim Fleming is serving as music director and Brenda Waugh-Hopkins is assistant director.

Brodi Bateman and Matt Reed will play J. Pierrepont Finch and Rosemary Pilkington will be portrayed by Angela Simmons and Brittany Osborn.

Mason Cope will play company president J.B. Biggley. Bateman and Reed will also take turns portraying Finch's nemesis Bud Frump. Secretary Hedy LaRue is played by Chanel Sutphin nd Laura Liljeberg. Mr. Bratt will be played by Staffan Ledin and Lacey Steward and Shelby Winters will take turns as Smitty.

The production includes songs like “Happy To Keep His Dinner Warm,” “The Company Way,” “A Secretary Is Not a Toy” and “Paris Original.”