Several Baldwin musical veterans are getting to take on new types of roles in this spring’s musical, How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. 

Senior Quintin Michalski plays the lead in the show, J. Pierrepont Finch, and he is thrilled to get a chance to try a new kind of role.

“I was super excited to get the lead. I’ve been a lead role but never the true lead. I often think of myself as the funny side character, so this is a change for me,” Michalski said. 

His character, Finch, can attribute his success to the book How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. He climbs the social ladder quickly, and throughout the show he is working on his skills in dealing with his own unexpected advancements. 

“He begins his career as a window washer and eventually works his way up the ladder to someone extremely successful,” Michalski said. 

Junior Jay Puff also is taking on a new type of role.

“It’s a lot different than the recent roles I’ve done. Last year I was a jester, so my role was more comical and funny. This year, however, I am playing a character named Mrs. Jones who is more serious and a military sergeant,” Puff said. 

Puff explained what they enjoy about the musical.

“I really like the cast and people I’m working with. I also love the music,” Puff said.  

For the cast, this musical is special because it represents more of a return to normal after two years of disruptions due to Covid. In 2020, the musical was canceled, while last year, the cast had to wear masks and there was limited seating in the auditorium.

“Covid definitely created a lot of new challenges for the musical. One of the biggest challenges (last year) was masks. It is very difficult to find masks that allow the audience to see performers’ faces, protect the cast, and have the right sound so that there’s no microphone feedback,” junior Morgan Smeal said. 

With no funds coming in from ticket sales two years ago, and limited seating last year, the musical has had to adapt and improvise this year. 

“We have taken to repurposing older pieces of sets or props in order to really make them work for this show. Tighter finances have also led to us being able to make more with the space we have,” Michalski said. 

Performances of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying run from March 30 to April 2. Showtime is 7 p.m. each night and tickets are $15.