Woodlands-area theatergoers have a Pulitzer Prize-winning musical comedy headed their way starting Friday, Aug. 14, when The Players Theatre Company opens its 60th season with "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" at the Owen Theatre in downtown Conroe.
The show runs through Aug. 30.
Director and choreographer Melody Johnson leads the production, with music direction by Ashlie Driver, according to the Owen Theatre's event listing. Royce Reid stars as J. Pierrepont Finch, the window washer who schemes his way to chairman of the World Wide Wicket Company, and Evann Sommers plays his love interest, Rosemary Pilkington.
The 1961 Frank Loesser musical won seven Tony Awards and the 1962 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Its songs include "I Believe in You" and "Brotherhood of Man."
Performances run Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. New this season, Saturday matinees at 2 p.m. have been added. Following the second Sunday matinee, audiences can stay for a Talk Back session with area business leaders, tying the show's corporate-satire plot to the local business community.
The company's 60th season carries the theme "Legacy & Revelations." The full eight-show lineup, announced by Your Conroe News, includes "Silent Sky," "Lifespan of a Fact," "Miracle on 34th Street: The Musical," "The Mountaintop," "Come From Away," "Nunsense" and "Forever Plaid."
The milestone drew official recognition from the City of Conroe, which proclaimed July 21 as "The Players Theatre Company Day." City Councilmember Kristin Hoisington presented the proclamation to the company's board, according to the company's social media.
@woodlandsdigest: "The Players Theatre Company turns 60 this season, and Conroe City Council named Tuesday, July 21, 2026 in its honor. It started as the Little Theatre of Conroe in a plumbing supply building."
Founded in 1967 as The Little Theatre of Conroe, the group originally performed on the Conroe High School stage and later in a refurbished plumbing supply store. After helping restore the historic Crighton Theatre in 1979, the company performed there for nearly 30 years as The Crighton Players before partnering with the City of Conroe in 2008 and moving to the Owen Theatre.
Tickets and Season 60 subscriptions are available at PlayersTheatreCompany.com or by calling the Owen Theatre Box Office at 936-539-4090.
Upcoming:
- Friday, Aug. 14 — "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" opens at the Owen Theatre, downtown Conroe
- Second Sunday matinee — Talk Back session with area business leaders following the 2 p.m. performance
- Sunday, Aug. 30 — Final performance
