Class Act Productions features community leaders in next performance

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- Class Act Productions presents HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING February 22, 23 and 24 at the Nancy Bock Center for Performing Arts (at McCollough Junior High), 3800 S. Panther Creek Drive, The Woodlands.

A satire of big business and all it holds sacred, HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING follows the rise of J. Pierrepont Finch, who uses a little handbook called "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying" to climb the corporate ladder from lowly window washer to high-powered executive, tackling such familiar but potent dangers as the aggressively compliant "company man," the office party, backstabbing co-workers, caffeine addiction and, of course, true love. Winner of the 1962 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and 9 Tony awards, HOW TO SUCCEED melds wit, comedy, and romance together to perfection.

Class Act is pleased to feature several local community leaders in the role of the Chairman of the Board, Mr. Womper, who comes on near the show's end to tie up loose ends and deliver the catchy "Brotherhood of Man" song and dance. Friday night's Mr. Womper role will be filled by Steve Bradley, the Head Pastor at Stonebridge Church, The Woodlands. Mr. Womper will be played by Dick Westerburg, Asst. General Counsel, Entergy Corporation on Saturday evening, and the Sunday matinee will feature Coach Carson, Head Football Coach at The Woodlands College Park High School. KTRK/ABC Houston broadcaster Art Rascon will be lending his respected voice to "The Book Voice" in the show, a role previously played on Broadway by Walter Cronkite and Anderson Cooper.

The show's Director, Class Act Productions Founder and Artistic Director, Keith Brumfield, shared, "We are so honored to have these guest performers take on the roles of Mr. Womper and The Book Voice. I think audiences will get a real kick seeing these familiar faces singing and dancing with the rest of our unbelievably talented cast."

The remaining cast is filled by a tremendously talented pool of local student actors, including the following lead roles:

J. Pierrpont Finch is played by Jacob Ables, a senior homeschooled student from the area. Some of his past roles include Willy Wonka in WILLY WONKA, the Scarecrow in THE WIZARD OF OZ, and Simeon in JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT. He has most recently been cast in the upcoming independent feature film “Life, Death, and Girls.”

The role of Rosemary is played by Sarah Rentcome, a junior at Jersey Village High School. Her past stage credits include Aquata in THE LITTLE MERMAID JR., Millie in THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, Janet Van de Graff in DROWSY CHAPERONE, Eponine in LES MISERABLES, and the Witch and Cinderella in INTO THE WOODS. Sarah has performed Off-Broadway in the new musical KISSLESS.

The role of J.B. Biggley is filled by Alec Michael Ryan, a sophomore at Klein Oak High School. Some of his credits with Klein Oak High School include SWEENEY TODD (Judge Turpin), THE CURIOUS SAVAGE (Hannibal), DANGEROUS LIAISONS, and HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING. Alec has trained with the Young Actors' Conservatory at Stages Repertory Theatre.

Rachel Broussard will be playing the role of Hedy LaRue. Rachel was last seen on the Class Act stage as Reno Sweeney in ANYTHING GOES. Her stage credits include KISSLESS, THE MUSICAL (Off Broadway NYMF), LEGALLY BLONDE (Serena), SCROOGE (Mrs. Cratchit), THE MUSIC MAN (Marian), INTO THE WOODS (Baker’s Wife), A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (Titania), TWELFTH NIGHT (Viola), and PETER PAN (Tiger Lily).

The role of Bud Frump is played by Daniel Miller. Daniel is a homeschooled sophomore who played Moonface Martin in Class Act's ANYTHING GOES last summer. He has done many shows with Christian Youth Theater including THE MUSIC MAN and recently performed with the A.D. Players in THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER.

This dance-filled show is in the skilled hands of choreographer Tony Smith, a veteran dance professional in The Woodlands and Houston. Rae Moses is the Musical Director.

Performances will be held on February 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m., and February 24 at 2:30 p.m.. All performances are at the Nancy Bock Center for Performing Arts (at McCollough Junior High). Tickets range in price from $20 - $30 and can be purchased online at www.classactproductions.org or by calling 281-292-6779.

About Class Act Productions Class Act Productions is a non-profit performing arts group that provides education, training, and participation in professional-quality musical theatre productions for students in The Woodlands, Texas and surrounding areas. By participating, students learn teamwork and responsibility as well as the technical, performance, and artistic elements of musical theatre.