Staff photo by Fritz Busch Matt Sellner (Mr. Twimble), left, holds a handful of mailroom flyers as Tom Andrews (J. Pierrepont Finch), right, sings as the Sleepy Eye Community Theater group rehearses “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” at Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s Auditorium. Performances are 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, June 25-27 and 2 p.m. Sunday, June 28.

SLEEPY EYE — A satire of corporate America that is just as funny today as when it premiered on Broadway in 1961, “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” is coming to St. Mary’s Auditorium June 25-28.

The musical that won seven Tony Awards and the 1962 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, pokes fun at workplace culture, office hierarchy and the absurd lengths some people will go to get ahead, celebrates friendship, integrity and discovering what really matters in life.

The musical performed by Sleepy Eye Community Theater combines catchy music, energetic dance numbers, and nonstop comedy.

The show follows Tom Andrews (J. Pierrepont Finch), a young window washer who stumbles upon a book, “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.”

Inspired by book advice, Finch lands an entry-level position in the World Wide Wicket Company mailroom and sets his sights on its executive offices.

Rising through the ranks, he comes across a colorful cast of characters including the company president Kent Menzel (J. B. Biggley) and a growing romance with Amanda Andrews (Rosemary Pilkington), a secretary who dreams of a simple life and wonders if Finch’s pursuit of success is worth the cost.

“Ever since I first watched this musical, I’ve loved it and knew I wanted to do it someday,” said director Matthew E. Loyd of Morgan. “I’ve you’ve ever worked a day in your life, you’re almost guaranteed to identify with at least one character in this show with someone you’ve worked with. Maybe now, more than ever, it’s important for us to have entertainment that invites us to laugh in the face of ruthless competitiveness and the desire for recognition and prestige, and reminds us to keep in touch with our humanity.”

Heather Hoffmann (scrubwoman) talked about what she enjoys about the musical.

“It’s fun getting to know people you haven’t ever met,” she said. “I get to be fun and sassy. My kids were always in musicals and plays. Now I get to do it.”

Menzel said it’s nice to be back with Sleepy Eye Community Theater after 14 years.

“It’s nice to see all these young kids with talent. I strive to keep up with them,” he said. “My character is kind of a grump but he’s fun to play because he’s kind of a comic. I’ve enjoyed doing shows in New Ulm, Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop (GFW) and Sleepy Eye.”

Matt Sellner (Mr. Twimble, assistant director) said he likes the show because it portrays a business but is a comedy at the same time, making it more fun.

“We’ve done a lot of dramatic, heartfelt shows before but we want people to laugh,” he said. “This is light-hearted fun. We want people to laugh with us because we laugh as we do it. I’m busy but it’s fun being at both ends of it.”

Samarah Forster (Hedy LaRue, choreographer) said her character is very different than any other character she’s ever played.

“It’s fun to get out of my comfort zone. She is kind of like Marilyn Monroe,” she said. “This is very dance heavy so choreographing it was fun. We taught a lot of guys how to dance.”

Amanda Andrews said she loves the high energy of the musical.

“We have a young cast. It’s fun to see all the energy,” she said. “I love when my character matures during the show.”

Caleb Siefkes (Mr. Bratt) said his character is the human resource guy who sings and dances, which he enjoys.

Tom Andrews said his character is so different than his day job, organist and music director at Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm.

“It’s fun to be able to break free and have fun,” said Andrews. “My wife has enjoyed being in these productions. This is my first one. I thought it would be fun to try it. I like that my character is always one step ahead of everything, always sucking up to people and getting away with it. He’s a fun character to play. I think the musical is hilarious. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”

Show times are 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, June 25-27 and 2 p.m. Sunday, June 28. Tickets are available online at $12 for adults, $8 for students at www.sleepyeyetheater.org or may be purchased at the door one hour prior to each show.

Others in the cast include Donovin Weber (Bud Frump), Greta Siefkes (Smitty), Victoria Renner (Miss Jones), Ben Seifert (Mr. Gatch), Rosie Molenaar (Miss Krumholz), Mateo Hornsby (Tackaberry), Austin Forster (Ovington), George Hirschboeck (Womper), and scrubwoman Ginger Heiderscheidt.