BWW Interviews: Otterbein University's HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING Is a Tall Order

Jordan Donica didn't get the part he wanted when he auditioned for Otterbein University's production of HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING. The freshman from Indianapolis couldn't be happier about that.

Donica was cast as D.J. Pierrepont Finch, the lead character in the 1961's musical about Corporate America. The show opens 7 p.m. April 25 at the Fritsche Theatre in Westerville and runs April 26-28 and May 2-4.

"(When they told me they wanted to cast me as the lead), I was like 'Really?'" says Donica who wanted to be a "dancing suit" in the chorus. "It wasn't something I was aspiring to be, by any means. I had to work through the process of 'I can do this.' Once I got over that aspect, it's just been fun."

It's not that Donica, who played the Cat in the Hat in SEUSSICAL, Mr. Applegate in DAMN YANKEES and the Scarecrow in THE WIZ while attending Roncalli High School in Indianapolis, lacked confidence. The role of Finch, who climbs to the top of the World Wide Wicket Company, has traditionally gone to undersized actors. Robert Morse, Matthew Broderick and Daniel Radcliffe, who played the part on Broadway, are all under 5-foot-9. Director Christina Kirk definitely went against that type when casting Donica, who is 6-5.

"He's tall, charming and looks like Barrack Obama," Kirk says with a laugh. "There's a gag at the end of the show where Rosemary (played by Madison Tinder) says to him, 'I don't care if you're the president of the United States, I love you.' He asks her to say that again. She goes 'I love you.' He responds 'No, before that.' The last image of the show is 'Watch out, this guy is headed to the White House.'"

When he tried out, music director Lori Kay Harvey, choreographer Stella Hiatt Kane and Kirk all looked at each other and said "He just won the part."

"Jordan is an instantly likeable person. That is what Finch needs. He has to have that 'winning everyone over' type of charm," Kirk says.

Donica was drawn to the show because of its message and plot. In the show, Finch follows the guidelines of the book, "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying" as he climbs the ladder of success from washing windows to Vice-President in Charge of Advertising. But Finch discovers a world of backstabbing and nepotism as he charts his course to the top.

"The thing I like about the show is it is a mix of a classic Broadway musical but at the same time it is fun, energetic and full of life," Donica said. "It's a great story with conflicts and ups and downs. It is a show that you can go to and be entertained. You can just sit back and relax and take this journey with this character."

Donica's height is not the only thing that makes the freshman stand out. In 20 years at Otterbein, Kirk can only remember a handful of actors who were cast in the lead role as a freshman. One of them was Sam Jaeger, who went on to star in the television series PARENTHOOD as well as movies IN HER SHOES and CATCH AND RELEASE.

"Freshmen are often cast but usually they're members of the chorus or playing supporting roles. It is very rare for a freshman to carry the weight of the show," Kirk said.

Donica shares that weight with a very talented cast. Tinder plays Rosemary, Finch's love interest in the show and Preston Pounds plays J.B. Biggley, the president of the company and James Scully is Bud Frump, Biggley's scheming nephew. Other major roles went to Hayden Clifton (Mr. Bratt), Heather Simpson ( Smitty) and Lizzie Wild (Hedy LaRue).

Rounding out the cast are John Henry Carter (Jenkins/Toynbee), Courtney Dahl (scrubwoman), Jared Howelton (Mr. Twimble/Ovington/Policeman), Bobby Moody (Tackaberry), Corinne Munsch (Miss Krimholtz), Marina Pires (Miss Jones), Melanie Sierra (scrubwoman), Ian Taylor (Gatch/Womper) and Clark Tieman (Peterson). The show features a group of talented dancers led by Thomas Betz, Monica Brown, Kelsey Gorman, Allison Schiller, Molly Sullivan and James Sanders.

Kirk says the cast has had overcome many challenges, including the loss of two key cast members. Krystal Simpson was scheduled to play Smitty but received the opportunity to be part of the touring company of DREAMGIRLS and Natasha Natraj, one of the featured dancers, sustained an ACL tear in her knee.

"The spirit of 'We Can' has been a big part of this whole production as we deal with all this adversity," Kirk said.

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