Drama, Tech Dept. present “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”

_MG_2058_preview — The Costa Drama and Tech Department performed their spring play. This image was taken in the Costa auditorium where the play was performed.

Greta Nerad

Staff Writer

Mira Costa’s Drama and Tech Department opened its annual spring musical, “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” on April 20 in the Costa auditorium.

“How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” follows a window washer named J. Pierrepont Finch (junior Carson Billingsley) who dreams of making it big in the business world. Upon finding a book titled “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” he leaves his job and follow the book’s advice to climb his way up the corporate ladder.

“Being a lead is a lot of work at first, especially in a musical,” Drama President and senior Noah Geller said. “But after you get all of the mechanical parts down like lines and movement, it’s incredibly fun to play with the character and work on the performance.”

A total of 77 Costa students auditioned for “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” on Jan. 8 and Mira Costa Drama Department Executive Director Cary Jordahl selected 40 cast members to perform in the show.

“This particular show is historically important in musical theater and culturally important as a commentary on society,” Jordahl said. “The students did a fantastic job keeping the show fun, colorful and consumable for the audience, while staying true to the material and honoring the satire.”

The Tech Department spent countless hours during and after school to prepare sets and costumes for the musical, Jordahl said. While the show ran, Tech students worked as ushers and stagehands and controlled the lighting and audio.

“Working backstage is exciting, but very hectic at the same time because there are always people and sets moving around,” Tech member and sophomore Tess Fortier said. “It’s a good opportunity to hang out with the cast and crew while working together to put on a show.”

There is one show tonight at 7:30 p.m. and the last two shows will take place tomorrow at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium. Tickets cost $12 for students and seniors and $18 for adults at the door.

“Although it’s been a lot of work and sometimes a bit stressful, this has been an incredibly fun experience that I wouldn’t trade for the world,” Billingsley said.