Overview
Synopsis
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical, is a story about the triumph of the common man amid the buffoonery of big business. When a restless, creative, and ambitious window washer named J. Pierrepont Finch happens upon a book entitled 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying', he decides to begin his rise up the corporate ladder. With the book’s instructions and a dose of his own cleverness, Finch starts by landing a job in the mailroom at the World Wide Wicket Company. He is soon promoted and outsmarts his scheming, sniveling rival, Frump - who also happens to be the boss's nephew-- before finally reaching the very top of the organization. From the very beginning, Finch has had the love and support of Rosemary, a marriage-minded secretary who recognizes Finch’s potential and finds his innocent demeanour endearing. But in his single-minded pursuit of the top job, Finch is in danger of discounting Rosemary’s love. In a moment of crisis, Finch’s manual to success can no longer help him: he must rely on his own wits, and ultimately, his heart to save the day.
The standout score by Frank Loesser features such classics as the surreal and funny “Coffee Break”, the rousing “Brotherhood of Man”, and the melodious tongue-in-cheek ballad “I Believe In You”, while the immensely clever book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock, and Willie Gilbert, won the Pulitzer Prize in 1962 for Best Drama.
Show Information
Context
Based on the 1952 book of the same name, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying opened at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in 1961. This original production brought in not only seven Tony awards, but also impressively the 1962 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
The show brought its first revival back to the Richard Rodgers in 1995 staring powerhouse players Megan Mullally and Matthew Broderick. A second revival was brought about to the Al Hirshfeld Theatre for the show’s 50th anniversary. This
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Act One
J. Pierrepont Finch is seen washing windows while reading the book "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying". The words from the pages are read aloud by a narrator and J. Pierrepont Finch is persuaded to begin his journey to the top of the corporate ladder. He starts his venture by heading into the World Wide Wicket Company (“How to Succeed”).
Finch quite literally bumps into the company’s president, J. B. Biggley. Finch apologizes and asks for a job. Biggley is thrown
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Character Portrayals
See StageAgent members who have performed roles in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.
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Songs
Act One
- Overture
- How to Succeed - Finch, Ensemble
- Happy To Keep His Dinner Warm - Rosemary
- Coffee Break - Smitty, Bud Frump, and Chorus
- Company Way - Finch and Twimble
- Company Way (Reprise) - Bud Frump, Twimble, and Company
- A Secretary is Not a Toy - Bratt, Ensemble
- Been a Long Day - Smitty, Finch, and Rosemary
- Been a Long Day (Reprise) - Bud Frump, Biggley, Hedy
- Grand Old Ivy - Finch and Biggley
- Paris Original - Rosemary, Smitty, Krumholtz, Ensemble
- *Elevator Dance - Bud Frump
- Rosemary - Finch
- Act I Finale - Finch, Rosemary, Bud Frump
Act Two
- Cinderella, Darling - Smitty, Rosemary, Secretary Ensemble
- 1995 revival replacement: How to Succeed (Reprise)
- Happy To Keep His Dinner Warm (Reprise) - Rosemary
- Love From a Heart of Gold - Biggley, Hedy
- I Believe in You - Finch, Businessmen Ensemble
- *The Yo-Ho-Ho - Ensemble
- I Believe in You (Reprise) - Rosemary
- Brotherhood of Man - Finch, Womper, Biggley, Miss Jones, Ensemble
- Company Way (Finale) - Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Key Terms
An economic system often critiqued in epic and protest theatre, examining exploitation, class, and power structures.
Farce is a comedic style that emphasizes exaggerated situations, improbable coincidences, mistaken identities, and rapid pacing. It often includes physical humor such as slamming doors, frantic chases, or characters hiding in plain sight. Farce is designed to generate nonstop laughter, often prioritizing chaos and absurdity over realistic storytelling.
A prestigious U.S. award for achievements in journalism, literature, and drama. Many modern plays that reflect social and political themes have received this honor.
A production created to showcase the talents of a specific star performer, often tailored to their strengths.
