NORWAY — Two things lead to success for the current Oxford Hills Music and Performing Arts Association first weekend production of “How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying.” They are the show’s excellent casting and an imaginative set.

The whole show is pure fun. Its songs and dances are lively, and every actor puts just the right spin on the part.

The plot of this popular musical comedy from the 1960s holds up well in today’s climate of big business bailouts and corporate shenanigans. It’s filled with every kind of office cliché imaginable, and most of them can still be spotted in some currently popular television sitcoms.

There’s even the hint of political correctness complexities that would evolve in later years. It’s seen in the whole-cast musical number called “A Secretary Is Not a Toy,” which is cleverly choreographed by Sasha Campbell.

Director Kenn Sawyer drew excellent performances from all his actors.

Tom Ferent’s portrayal of J.B. Biggley, president of the World Wide Wicket Company, is right on target. He is a big, bold and bombastic company boss with a carefully concealed tender side. It’s great fun to watch him steal just about every scene he is in.

Chris Alberi turns in an equally impressive performance as Bud Frump, the boss’s insufferable nephew. He’s a conniving twerp who tries to thwart the ambitions of newcomer J. Pierrepont Finch, and he fails miserably every time.

Alberi, a junior at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School, has already appeared in enough OHMPAA productions to earn the label of veteran.

Kasey Woodworth in her OHMPAA debut delivers a standout performance as Rosemary, the secretary who falls for “Ponty,” the ambitious young man whose obsession with advancement almost scuttles their romance. Woodworth has a delightful stage presence matched with solid acting ability. On top of that, she has a fine singing voice.

Ethan Wright appears in the lead role as J. Pierrepont Finch, the window washer who is using his little book of step-by-step career pointers to skyrocket up the executive ladder at World Wide Wicket Co.

Wright took the stage on opening night Thursday, Nov. 12, for his first OHMPAA appearance as an actor. It’s a role that calls for unbridled brashness, and it seemed that Wright is capable of more expressiveness than his early scenes exhibited. By the last act, he was more comfortable and he does a fine job with the show’s signature song, “I Believe in Me.” He also leads the big “Brotherhood of Man” production number at the end with plenty of pizzazz.

Wright is music/drama teacher at Buckfield Junior/Senior High School. He has played in the orchestra for other OHMPAA shows, and “How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying” was a good introduction to his talents that are sure to show up in future productions.

Tracy Ludwig plays blonde bombshell Hedy LaRue. She slinks her way through several hilarious scenes that have every male cast member yearning for her.

Tom Littlefield does an excellent job with two roles. In the first act, he is the 25-year veteran of the mailroom who declares his allegiance to “The Company Way,” and he appears as the company’s chairman of the board in the final scenes.

Other very good performances come from Cynthia Reedy as Rosemary’s faithful friend Smitty and from Jennifer St. Pierre as “Jonesy,” Biggley’s no-nonsense secretary.

“Coffee Break” is a clever ensemble song about the panic over an empty coffee urn, and the “Been a Long Day” number is very well done in versions by Finch, Rosemary and Smitty and by Biggley, Hedy and Bud.

Wright and Ferent have a lot of fun with the “Grand Old Ivy” and “Rip the Chipmunk” numbers.

The show’s set provides maximum effectiveness on the small stage at Norway Grange. A cityscape is seen behind the main office’s large glass windows, and there are elevator doors that serve very well for the high traffic entrances and exits by the large cast.