When Tabor Academy’s drama department begins work on the annual musical, English teacher and director John Heavey says he looks for something different.

“We like to choose shows that match the talent we have and something that’s 180 degrees from the show we did last year,” Heavey said. “Last year was ‘Chicago’ so this year we wanted to try a different style.”

This evening, Heavey’s cast and crew will unveil “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” which he says the students were already familiar with due to a certain Harry Potter connection.

“The cast has been great,” Heavey said. “It helps that Daniel Radcliffe (who played Harry Potter in the films) did this on Broadway and most of the kids either saw him live or watched him on Youtube. They love him, of course, so there was a lot of excitement going in.”

Set in New York City in the 1950s, the musical follows the rise of window washer J. Pierpont Finch to CEO of the World Wide Wicket Company.

In the lead role of Finch is Tabor junior Oliver Palmer.

Palmer, who is from Owensboro, Kentucky, says he was pushing for the school to perform “How to Succeed…” for its annual show.

“I’ve been wanting to do this show for a while,” Palmer said. “The music is really catchy and fun to listen to. Once you get it into your head, you can’t get it out. The musical is the biggest thing we do at Tabor, and it’s been amazing.”

Tabor junior Claire Knowlton, who plays Finch’s secretary Rosemary, says though the play has been running on Broadway since the 1960s, the comedy is still there.

“It’s really funny,” Knowlton said. “Obviously, we’ve heard the jokes ten-thousand times, but everybody finds a way to keep it fresh. It never gets old. It’s fun to see and more fun to watch it all end well.”

Chapman Hyatt, a junior at Tabor who plays personnel manager Mr. Bratt, says people can relate to success stories like this one.

“Even though it takes place over 50 years ago, it’s got something that people like,” Hyatt said. “It’s hilarious. This is one more opportunity to crack some jokes and make the audience laugh.”

Allie Dawson, a sophomore at Tabor who plays secretary Ms. Krumholtz, agreed.

“It’s timeless,” Dawson said.

The cast has been rehearsing nearly every day since November, but with little time left to opening night, they have some “normal” anxiety.

“I’m a little nervous,” Hyatt said. “I think that’s normal. If you’re not then something is not right.”

For Palmer, getting cast in the lead role was all the more exciting as he only recently began singing.

“It’s my first big lead,” Palmer said. “It’s been a journey just singing in front of an audience. I’ve done plays before in front of an audience, but I’d say the singing and dancing are the only things that scare me.”

As far as opening night goes, Palmer says the cast may be nervous—but they are all confident that they can deliver a great show.

“I think we are right where we need to be and it’s very exciting,” Palmer said.

Heavey said the cast and crew have met with the challenging choreography led by Tabor dance instructor Danielle LaTulippe.

“They’ve taken some tough choreography and brought it to life,” Heavey said. “I think things are pretty secure but, as a director, of course you sweat the details. The kids know the show and they are really stepping up.”

In addition to Heavey and LaTulippe, the production staff includes David Horne, the music director, Richard Van Voris the technical director, Annemarie Ferdericks and Ruth Finnie the costume designers, and Tabor junior Molly Hanson as the stage manager.

The show opens today at 7:30 p.m. and will run through Saturday.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door of the Fireman Auditorium before each performance.