Following last year’s successful production of "Fiddler on the Roof," BG Drama presented "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" as its annual spring musical.

The show entertained audiences during its three performances from April 15-17.

More than 20 BG students were in the show’s cast, with even more in the pit orchestra, the tech crew and the audience.

"The comedic musical was wonderfully portrayed by the cast," said sophomore Angela Toth.

The musical came together after months of hard work. The cast auditioned in early December and began an intense rehearsal schedule after winter break.

The performers worked under the leadership of director Tom Anastasi, vocal director and BG chorus teacher Holly Krafka, and choreographer Loren Hallett. They put in a huge amount of time learning all of their lines, songs, and choreography to be ready for their performances.

"The chance to participate in the school musical was a great opportunity," said sophomore cast member Julia Loudenback. "I can work this fun activity into my schedule and enjoy every moment with those involved."

Meanwhile, band director Brian Starck and the pit orchestra were hard at work on their music. The orchestra rehearsed every week beginning in January and came together with the cast for tech week rehearsals.

"Being in the pit really taught me the importance of listening to other musicians and unifying our sound with the singers," said junior clarinet player Sunny Shaidani. "It takes an incredible amount of time to practice with all those involved in the musical, and it’s very difficult to pull together such a long production."

During tech week, the pieces of the show fell into place, and the production became more and more polished with every rehearsal. The tech crew, headed by junior Ethan Calandra, worked with all of the performers to work out the lighting and sound, including making a recording of Vice Principal Dan Gurall as the "book voice" narrator.

After a long week of rehearsal, "How to Succeed" took the stage and kept its audience entertained through all three shows. Religion teacher Mark Lajoie, known around the school for being a BG "superfan," was impressed by the production.

"The band was top-flight, all parts perfectly cast and enthusiastically performed, and the choreography excellent," he said.

Holly Boivin is a sophomore at Bishop Guertin High School in Nashua.

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