DEWITT AREA TALENT READY TO SUCCEED!
Cast set for Dewitt Community Theater Group’s production of
How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying
DeWitt, IA – May 31st, 2017
The Central DeWitt Performing Arts Center (CDPAC) kicks off its 2017-2018 Performance Series with a summer musical on July 28th & 29th, by DeWitt’s Community Theater group, On The Edge Productions. Under new direction of Chris Tracy, the group announced the cast for the Tony Award-Winning show How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying.
The media is welcome to attend the first read-through and meet-and-greet on Thursday, June 1st @ 6:30pm at the Central DeWitt Performing Arts Center. Rehearsals will continue the following week through the end of July. Public Performances to be held Friday, July 28 & Saturday, July 29 @ 7:00pm. Tickets are general admission for $15 and may be purchased at DeWitt City Hall, Emma Rae’s Antiques and Uniques, online at www.CD-PAC.org or at the door one hour prior to the show.
The May casting call brought in nearly 30 people from surrounding communities of Grand Mound, Calamus, Wheatland, Clinton, Davenport, Moline, Eldridge and DeWitt.
About the musical How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is a musical by Frank Loessener and book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock, and Willie Gilbert, based on Shepherd Mead’s 1952 book How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying.
The story concerns young, ambitious J. Pierrepont Finch, and with the help of the book How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, rises from window washer to chairman of the board of the World Wide Wicket Company.
The musical, starring Robert Morse and Rudy Vallee, opened on Broadway in October 1961, running for 1,417 performances. The show won seven Tony Awards, the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, and the 1962 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. In 1967, a film based on the musical was released, with Morse and Vallee recreating their stage roles. A 1995 revival featured Matthew Broderick and Megan Mullally ran for 548 performances. In March of 2011, A 50th anniversary Broadway revival featured Daniel Radcliffe and John Larroquette ran for 473 performances.
About the Director, Chris Tracy in his own words
I've been in or around theatre and the arts most of my life. My dad is a performer so it's in the genes. Started out like most in high school productions then some in college. Spent 10 seasons as a featured performer and special segments director with the Greater Decatur Chorale. Also directed church choirs in Decatur for 7 years. After moving to the Quad Cities area about 15 years ago I got involved in several local area theatres and have performed in or been involved with over 30 shows including COMPANY, SPAMALOT, THE SPITFIRE GRILL, LEND ME A TENOR, THE ADDAMS FAMILY: THE MUSICAL, OUR TOWN and more.
Professionally, I'm a 25-year veteran in the IT field and currently the Director of IT for the largest Midas franchise in the Midwest.
Personally, I moved to De Witt about 5 years ago and love the community. Devoted father to 8-year old daughter, Kennedie. Member of Alpha Phi Omega international coed service fraternity for 22 years, promoting community service and leadership development for college students across the country.
About the Central DeWitt Performing Arts Center
The Central DeWitt Performing Arts Center (CDPAC) is a state-of-the-art venue for plays, musicals, concerts, recitals, comedians, dancers, speakers, business meetings and other events. The auditorium offers 799 seats, technically advanced lighting and sound systems, and a C7 Yamaha Grand Piano.
The performing arts center is part of a $28 million addition to Central DeWitt Community High School in DeWitt, IA. It opened to the public in 2011. The Central DeWitt Performing Arts Center is a non-profit auditorium which contracts six to eight professional performing artist groups from all over the nation, to perform throughout the year during the performance series.
Contact Angela Yender, CDPAC Events Coordinator, for more information on the 2017-2018 Performance Series: 563-249-8541 or angela.yender@cd-pac.org.
Central DeWitt Performing Arts Center / 519 East 11th Street / DeWitt, IA 52742
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