Explore this Show

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

Lyrics
Frank Loesser
Based on the Play/Book/Film
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1961
Genres
Comedy, Satire, Romance
Settings
Multiple Settings
Time & Place
1960s, the world wide wicket company, new york city
Cast Size
large
Orchestra Size
Large
Dancing
Heavy
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Late Teen, Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly Characters, Large Cast

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

J. Pierrepont Finch

Lead

Male

Tenor

J.B. Biggley

Lead

Male

Baritone

Rosemary Pilkington

Lead

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Gatch

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Bratt

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Miss Jones

Supporting

Female

Soprano

Mr. Twimble

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Hedy LaRue

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Wally Womper

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Bud Frump

Supporting

Male

Bass-Baritone

Smitty

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano, Alto

Miss Krumholtz

Featured

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Ovington

Featured

Male

Spoken

Jenkins

Featured

Male

Spoken

Tackaberry

Featured

Male

Spoken

Toynbee

Featured

Male

Spoken

Matthews

Featured

Male

Spoken

Johnson

Featured

Male

Spoken

Davis

Featured

Male

Spoken

Policeman

Featured

Male

Spoken

Scrubwomen (2)

Featured

Female

Spoken

Peterson

Featured

Male

Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone

Employees of the World Wide Wicket Corporation

Ensemble

Either Gender

Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass

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.

Monologues

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

    An economic and political system in which private owners control trade and industry for profit.

    A type of comedy that uses exaggeration, often with clowning and ridiculous behaviors, in order to entertain.

    An award for an achievement in American journalism, literature, or music

    A production designed especially to show off the talents of a particular performer.

Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.

Quote Analysis

Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.