How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (musical)
Updated: 12/10/2025, 11:04:32 AM Wikipedia source
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is a 1961 musical by Frank Loesser and book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock, and Willie Gilbert, based on Shepherd Mead's 1952 book of the same name. The story concerns young, ambitious J. Pierrepont Finch, who, with the help of the book How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, rises from window washer to chairman of the board of the World Wide Wicket Company. The musical, starring Robert Morse and Rudy Vallée, opened at the 46th Street Theatre on Broadway in October 1961, running for 1,417 performances. The show won seven Tony Awards, the New York Drama Critics' Circle award, and the 1962 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. In 1967, a film based on the musical was released by United Artists, with Morse, Vallee, Sammy Smith, and Ruth Kobart re-creating their stage roles. A 1995 revival was mounted at the same theatre as the original production (now named the Richard Rodgers Theatre). It ran for 548 performances and starred Matthew Broderick and Megan Mullally. A 50th-anniversary Broadway revival directed and choreographed by Rob Ashford and starring Daniel Radcliffe and John Larroquette opened on March 27, 2011, at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre and ran for 473 performances.
Infobox
Music
Frank Loesser
Lyrics
Frank Loesser
Book
mw- Abe Burrows Jack Weinstock Willie Gilbert
Basis
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying by Shepherd Mead
Premiere
October 14, 1961 (1961-10-14): 46th Street Theatre
Productions
1961 Broadway1963 West End1995 Broadway revival1996 US tour2011 Broadway revival2023 Off West End
Awards
1962 Pulitzer Prize for DramaTony Award for Best MusicalTony Award for Best Book
Tables
· Cast lists
1961
1961
Character
1961
Broadway
1963
West End
1995
First Broadway Revival
1996
US National Tour
2011
Second Broadway Revival
2023
J. Pierrepont Finch
J. Pierrepont Finch
Character
J. Pierrepont Finch
Broadway
Robert Morse
West End
Warren Berlinger
First Broadway Revival
Matthew Broderick
US National Tour
Ralph Macchio
Second Broadway Revival
Daniel Radcliffe
Off-West End Revival
Gabrielle Friedman
Rosemary Pilkington
Rosemary Pilkington
Character
Rosemary Pilkington
Broadway
Bonnie Scott
West End
Patricia Michael
First Broadway Revival
Megan Mullally
US National Tour
Shauna Hicks
Second Broadway Revival
Rose Hemingway
Off-West End Revival
Allie Daniel
Bud Frump
Bud Frump
Character
Bud Frump
Broadway
Charles Nelson Reilly
West End
David Knight
First Broadway Revival
Jeff Blumenkrantz
US National Tour
Roger Bart
Second Broadway Revival
Christopher Hanke
Off-West End Revival
Elliot Gooch
J. B. Biggley
J. B. Biggley
Character
J. B. Biggley
Broadway
Rudy Vallée
West End
Billy De Wolfe
First Broadway Revival
Ronn Carroll
US National Tour
Richard Thomsen
Second Broadway Revival
John Larroquette
Off-West End Revival
Tracie Bennett
Smitty
Smitty
Character
Smitty
Broadway
Claudette Sutherland
West End
Josephine Blake
First Broadway Revival
Victoria Clark
US National Tour
Susann Fletcher
Second Broadway Revival
Mary Faber
Off-West End Revival
Verity Power
Hedy LaRue
Hedy LaRue
Character
Hedy LaRue
Broadway
Virginia Martin
West End
Eileen Gourlay
First Broadway Revival
Luba Mason
US National Tour
Pamela Blair
Second Broadway Revival
Tammy Blanchard
Off-West End Revival
Annie Aitken
Miss Jones
Miss Jones
Character
Miss Jones
Broadway
Ruth Kobart
West End
Olive Lucius
First Broadway Revival
Lillias White
US National Tour
Tina Fabrique
Second Broadway Revival
Ellen Harvey
Off-West End Revival
Grace Kanyamibwa
Bert Bratt
Bert Bratt
Character
Bert Bratt
Broadway
Paul Reed
West End
Robert Nichols
First Broadway Revival
Jonathan Freeman
US National Tour
John Deyle
Second Broadway Revival
Michael Park
Off-West End Revival
Taylor Bradshaw
Mr. Twimble/Wally Womper
Mr. Twimble/Wally Womper
Character
Mr. Twimble/Wally Womper
Broadway
Sammy Smith
West End
Bernard Spear
First Broadway Revival
Gerry Vichi
US National Tour
Michael Cone
Second Broadway Revival
Rob Bartlett
Off-West End Revival
Danny Lane
Book Voice
Book Voice
Character
Book Voice
Broadway
Carl Princi (uncredited)
West End
—
First Broadway Revival
Walter Cronkite
US National Tour
Anderson Cooper
Second Broadway Revival
Michelle Visage
| Character | Broadway | West End | First Broadway Revival | US National Tour | Second Broadway Revival | Off-West End Revival |
| 1961 | 1963 | 1995 | 1996 | 2011 | 2023 | |
| J. Pierrepont Finch | Robert Morse | Warren Berlinger | Matthew Broderick | Ralph Macchio | Daniel Radcliffe | Gabrielle Friedman |
| Rosemary Pilkington | Bonnie Scott | Patricia Michael | Megan Mullally | Shauna Hicks | Rose Hemingway | Allie Daniel |
| Bud Frump | Charles Nelson Reilly | David Knight | Jeff Blumenkrantz | Roger Bart | Christopher Hanke | Elliot Gooch |
| J. B. Biggley | Rudy Vallée | Billy De Wolfe | Ronn Carroll | Richard Thomsen | John Larroquette | Tracie Bennett |
| Smitty | Claudette Sutherland | Josephine Blake | Victoria Clark | Susann Fletcher | Mary Faber | Verity Power |
| Hedy LaRue | Virginia Martin | Eileen Gourlay | Luba Mason | Pamela Blair | Tammy Blanchard | Annie Aitken |
| Miss Jones | Ruth Kobart | Olive Lucius | Lillias White | Tina Fabrique | Ellen Harvey | Grace Kanyamibwa |
| Bert Bratt | Paul Reed | Robert Nichols | Jonathan Freeman | John Deyle | Michael Park | Taylor Bradshaw |
| Mr. Twimble/Wally Womper | Sammy Smith | Bernard Spear | Gerry Vichi | Michael Cone | Rob Bartlett | Danny Lane |
| Book Voice | Carl Princi (uncredited) | — | Walter Cronkite | Anderson Cooper | Michelle Visage | |
· Awards and honors › Original Broadway production
1961
1961
Year
1961
Award
Grammy Award
Category
Best Musical Theatre Album
Nominee
Frank Loesser
Result
Won
1962
1962
Year
1962
Award
Tony Award
Category
Best Musical
Nominee
Won
Best Author
Best Author
Year
Best Author
Award
Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert
Category
Won
Best Actor in a Musical
Best Actor in a Musical
Year
Best Actor in a Musical
Award
Robert Morse
Category
Won
Best Featured Actor in a Musical
Best Featured Actor in a Musical
Year
Best Featured Actor in a Musical
Award
Charles Nelson Reilly
Category
Won
Best Direction of a Musical
Best Direction of a Musical
Year
Best Direction of a Musical
Award
Abe Burrows
Category
Won
Best Producer
Best Producer
Year
Best Producer
Award
Cy Feuer and Ernest Martin
Category
Won
Best Composer
Best Composer
Year
Best Composer
Award
Frank Loesser
Category
Nominated
Best Conductor and Musical Director
Best Conductor and Musical Director
Year
Best Conductor and Musical Director
Award
Elliot Lawrence
Category
Won
New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards
New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards
Year
New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards
Award
Best Musical
Category
Frank Loesser, Abe Burrows, Willie Gilbert and Jack Weinstock
Nominee
Won
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
| 1961 | Grammy Award | Best Musical Theatre Album | Frank Loesser | Won |
| 1962 | Tony Award | Best Musical | Won | |
| Best Author | Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert | Won | ||
| Best Actor in a Musical | Robert Morse | Won | ||
| Best Featured Actor in a Musical | Charles Nelson Reilly | Won | ||
| Best Direction of a Musical | Abe Burrows | Won | ||
| Best Producer | Cy Feuer and Ernest Martin | Won | ||
| Best Composer | Frank Loesser | Nominated | ||
| Best Conductor and Musical Director | Elliot Lawrence | Won | ||
| New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards | Best Musical | Frank Loesser, Abe Burrows, Willie Gilbert and Jack Weinstock | Won | |
· Awards and honors › 1995 Broadway revival
1995
1995
Year
1995
Award
Tony Award
Category
Best Revival of a Musical
Nominee
Nominated
Best Actor in a Musical
Best Actor in a Musical
Year
Best Actor in a Musical
Award
Matthew Broderick
Category
Won
Best Direction of a Musical
Best Direction of a Musical
Year
Best Direction of a Musical
Award
Des McAnuff
Category
Nominated
Best Choreography
Best Choreography
Year
Best Choreography
Award
Wayne Cilento
Category
Nominated
Drama Desk Awards
Drama Desk Awards
Year
Drama Desk Awards
Award
Outstanding Musical
Category
Nominated
Outstanding Actor in a Musical
Outstanding Actor in a Musical
Year
Outstanding Actor in a Musical
Award
Matthew Broderick
Category
Nominated
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
| 1995 | Tony Award | Best Revival of a Musical | Nominated | |
| Best Actor in a Musical | Matthew Broderick | Won | ||
| Best Direction of a Musical | Des McAnuff | Nominated | ||
| Best Choreography | Wayne Cilento | Nominated | ||
| Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Musical | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Matthew Broderick | Nominated | ||
· Awards and honors › 2011 Broadway revival
2011
2011
Year
2011
Award
Tony Award
Category
Best Revival of a Musical
Nominee
Nominated
Best Featured Actor in a Musical
Best Featured Actor in a Musical
Year
Best Featured Actor in a Musical
Award
John Larroquette
Category
Won
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
Year
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
Award
Tammy Blanchard
Category
Nominated
Best Direction of a Musical
Best Direction of a Musical
Year
Best Direction of a Musical
Award
Rob Ashford
Category
Nominated
Best Choreography
Best Choreography
Year
Best Choreography
Award
Nominated
Best Orchestrations
Best Orchestrations
Year
Best Orchestrations
Award
Doug Besterman
Category
Nominated
Best Costume Design
Best Costume Design
Year
Best Costume Design
Award
Catherine Zuber
Category
Nominated
Best Lighting Design
Best Lighting Design
Year
Best Lighting Design
Award
Howell Binkley
Category
Nominated
Drama Desk Award
Drama Desk Award
Year
Drama Desk Award
Award
Outstanding Revival of a Musical
Category
Nominated
Outstanding Actor in a Musical
Outstanding Actor in a Musical
Year
Outstanding Actor in a Musical
Award
Daniel Radcliffe
Category
Nominated
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
Year
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
Award
John Larroquette
Category
Won
Outstanding Director of a Musical
Outstanding Director of a Musical
Year
Outstanding Director of a Musical
Award
Rob Ashford
Category
Nominated
Outstanding Choreography
Outstanding Choreography
Year
Outstanding Choreography
Award
Nominated
2012
2012
Year
2012
Award
Grammy Award
Category
Best Musical Theater Album
Nominee
John Larroquette & Daniel Radcliffe, artists; Robert Sher, producer; Frank Loesser, composer/lyricist
Result
Nominated
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
| 2011 | Tony Award | Best Revival of a Musical | Nominated | |
| Best Featured Actor in a Musical | John Larroquette | Won | ||
| Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical | Tammy Blanchard | Nominated | ||
| Best Direction of a Musical | Rob Ashford | Nominated | ||
| Best Choreography | Nominated | |||
| Best Orchestrations | Doug Besterman | Nominated | ||
| Best Costume Design | Catherine Zuber | Nominated | ||
| Best Lighting Design | Howell Binkley | Nominated | ||
| Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Revival of a Musical | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Daniel Radcliffe | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | John Larroquette | Won | ||
| Outstanding Director of a Musical | Rob Ashford | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Choreography | Nominated | |||
| 2012 | Grammy Award | Best Musical Theater Album | John Larroquette & Daniel Radcliffe, artists; Robert Sher, producer; Frank Loesser, composer/lyricist | Nominated |
References
- "'How to Succeed in Business', 1961" Internet Broadway Database, accessed August 27, 2011http://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=2885
- "'How to Succeed in Business', 1995" Internet Broadway Database, accessed August 27, 2011http://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=4288
- "Frank Loesser - How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying"https://web.archive.org/web/20080930061822/http://www.frankloesser.com/work/theatre/6
- TCMhttps://www.tcm.com/this-month/article/27957
- Broadway Musicals: The 101 Greatest Shows of All Time
- Music Theatre Internationalhttp://www.mtishows.com/show_detail.asp?showid=000043
- www.ausstage.edu.auhttps://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/61936
- Rousuck, J. Wynn.A cheery revival for 'How to Succeed' Review: Grown-up Ralph Macchio charms as this updated '61 Pulitzehttps://www.baltimoresun.com/1996/05/31/a-cheery-revival-for-how-to-succeed-review-grown-up-ralph-macchio-charms-as-this-updated-61-pulitzer-prize-musical-opens-a-national-tour-here/
- "Ralph Macchio is fun in 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying' Oct. 1-6" Archived 2011-07-20 at the Waybackhttp://www.sacnews.net/sacstage/reviews/howto.html
- Berson, Misha."'How To Succeed' In Show Business . . . -- Since His `Karate Kid' Days, Ralph Macchio Has Matured - In Aghttps://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19961010/2353460/how-to-succeed-in-show-business-------since-his-karate-kid-days-ralph-macchio-has-matured---in-age-and-talent
- Hetrick, Adam."Radcliffe Cast in Reading of 'How to Succeed in Business'; Zadan and Meron Produce" Archived 2009-10-13 ahttp://www.playbill.com/news/article/133688-Radcliffe_Cast_in_Reading_of_How_to_Succeed_in_Business_Zadan_and_Meron_Produce
- Hetrick, Adam."Daniel Radcliffe to Star in Broadway Revival of 'How to Succeed in Business'" Archived 2012-10-14 at thehttp://www.playbill.com/news/article/138769-Daniel-Radcliffe-to-Star-in-Broadway-Revival-of-How-to-Succeed-in-Business
- Hetrick, Adam.Tammy Blanchard, Christopher J. Hanke, Rose Hemingway Join 'How to Succeed' Broadway Revival" Archived 201http://www.playbill.com/news/article/144942-Tammy-Blanchard-Christopher-J-Hanke-Rose-Hemingway-Join-How-to-Succeed-Broadway-Revival
- Hetrick, Adam."John Larroquette Will Join Daniel Radcliffe in 'How to Succeed' Broadway Revival" Archived 2010-11-24 athttp://www.playbill.com/news/article/144147-John-Larroquette-Will-Join-Daniel-Radcliffe-in-How-to-Succeed-Broadway-Revival
- "Tony Nominations Announced" BroadwayWorld.com, May 3, 2011http://broadwayworld.com/article/2011-Tony-Nominations-Announced-THE-BOOK-OF-MORMON-Leads-With-14-20110503
- Broadway.comhttp://www.broadway.com/buzz/161866/broadwaycom-audience-choice-awards-host-darren-criss-on-his-big-win-gleeful-fans-and-theater-love/
- Hetrick, Adam."'Teenage Dream': Darren Criss Joins Broadway's How to Succeed...; Beau Bridges Takes Over Company, Too" Ahttp://www.playbill.com/news/article/158104-Teenage-Dream-Darren-Criss-Joins-Broadways-How-to-Succeed-Beau-Bridges-Takes-Over-Company-Too
- Hetrick, Adam."Nick Jonas Will Climb Ladder of Broadway's How to Succeed... in 2012" Archived 2012-08-31 at the Waybackhttp://www.playbill.com/news/article/154294-Nick-Jonas-Will-Climb-Ladder-of-Broadways-How-to-Succeed-in-2012
- "Nick Jonas, Christie Brinkley and More to Be Honored at 2012 Broadway Beacon Awards" broadwayworld.com, April 25, 2012http://broadwayworld.com/article/Nick-Jonas-Christie-Brinkley-and-More-to-Be-Honored-at-2012-Broadway-Beacon-Awards-20120425
- "Exclusive Video! See Nick Jonas in Rehearsal for How to Succeed in Business" Broadway.com, January 21, 2012http://www.broadway.com/shows/how-succeed-business-without-really-trying/buzz/159500/exclusive-video-see-nick-jonas-in-rehearsal-for-how-to-succeed-in-business/
- "HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING To Play Final Performance on Broadway Sunday, May 20th"http://broadwayworld.com/article/HOW-TO-SUCCEED-IN-BUSINESS-WITHOUT-REALLY-TRYING-To-Play-Final-Performance-on-Broadway-Sunday-May-20th-20120508
- British Theatrehttps://britishtheatre.com/review-how-to-succeed-in-business-without-really-trying-southwark-playhouse/
- Playbill 1995-96 Revivalhttps://www.playbill.com/production/how-to-succeed-in-business-without-really-trying-richard-rodgers-theatre-vault-0000003075
- Playbill 2011-12 Revivalhttps://www.playbill.com/production/how-to-succeed-in-business-without-really-trying-al-hirschfeld-theatre-vault-0000013723
- Suskin, Steven. "On the Record: Spotlight on Mary Martin and Beatrice Lillie", Playbill, 21 February 2010https://playbill.com/article/on-the-record-spotlight-on-mary-martin-and-beatrice-lillie-com-166077
- Taubman, Howard. "Musical Comedy Seen at 46th Street Theatre", The New York Times, October 16, 1961, p.34
- Suskin, 323, 325
- Suskin, 325
- Suskin, 325-26
- Suskin, 326
- Ben Brantley, "Wizard of Corporate Climbing", New York Times, March 27, 2011https://theater.nytimes.com/2011/03/28/theater/reviews/how-to-succeed-in-business-with-daniel-radcliffe-review.html?_r=0&pagewanted=2
- Charles McNulty, Theater review: 'How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying' on Broadway, Los Angeles Times, Marchttp://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2011/03/theater-review-how-to-succeed-in-business-without-really-trying-on-broadway.html
- Variety
- grammy.comhttps://www.grammy.com/grammys/awards/4th-annual-grammy-awards-1961#category-224
- New York Drama Critics' Circlehttps://www.dramacritics.org/dc_pastawards.html
- grammy.comhttp://www.grammy.com/nominees?year=2011&genre=19