How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
46th Street Theatre
Previews Began: October 12, 1961
Opening Night: October 14, 1961
Closing Night: March 6, 1965
Music: Frank Loesser
Lyrics: Frank Loesser
Book: Abe Burrows
Willie Gilbert
Jack Weinstock
Finch is a window washer who finds a book called “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” which he uses to get a job at World Wide Wickets and move up in the company. Frump, a co-worker he left behind on the way up, tries to sabotage Finch as he gets higher and higher in the organization, but in the end Finch is forced to make a few choices without the help of his book.
Musical Numbers
ACT ONE
How to Succeed (Suceed)………….J. Pierrepont Finch,
Ensemble
Happy to Keep His Dinner
Warm…………………………………….Rosemary Pillkington
Coffee Break…………..Bud Frump, Smitty, Office Staff
Company Way…………….J. Pierrepont Finch, Twimble
Company Way (Reprise)…………Bud Frump, Twimble,
Office Staff
A Secretary Is Not a Toy………Bert Bratt, Bud Frump,
Office Staff
Been a Long Day……………………….J. Pierrepont Finch,
Rosemary Pillkington,
Smitty
Been a Long Day (Reprise)….J.B. Biggley, Bud Frump,
Hedy La Rue
Grand Old Ivy…………J. Pierrepont Finch, J.B. Biggley
Paris Original……………..Rosemary Pillkington, Smitty,
Miss Jones, Secretaries
Rosemary….J. Pierrepont Finch, Rosemary Pillkington
Finaletto….J. Pierrepont Finch, Rosemary Pillkington,
Bud Frump
ACT TWO
Cinderella, Darling…….Rosemary Pillkington, Smitty,
Secretaries
Happy to Keep His Dinner Warm
(Reprise)………………………………..Rosemary Pillkington
Love From a Heart of Gold…………………….J.B. Biggley,
Hedy La Rue
I Believe in You………J. Pierrepont Finch, Bud Frump,
Bert Bratt, Executives
The Yo Ho Ho (Pirate Dance)………The Jolly Wickets,
Wickettes
I Believe in You (Reprise)………..Rosemary Pillkington
Brotherhood of Man…………………..J. Pierrepont Finch,
J.B. Biggley, Bud Frump,
Bert Bratt, Wally Womper,
Miss Jones, Office Staff
Finale………………………………………………………Company
CAST
OPENING NIGHT
Robert Morse J. Pierrepont Finch
Rudy Vallee J.B. Biggley
Virginia Martin Hedy La Rue
Charles Nelson Reilly Bud Frump
Bonnie Scott Rosemary Pillkington
Carol Jane Abney Dancer
Nick Andrews Dancer
Elaine Cancilla Dancer
Madilyn Clark Dancer
David Collyer Tackaberry
Singer
Lanier Davis Ovington
Singer
Tracy Everitt Dancer
Stuart Fleming Dancer
Suzanne France Dancer
Charlotte Frazier Singer
Robert Kaliban Jenkins
Singer
Ruth Kobart Miss Jones
Richard Korthaze Dancer
Mara Landi Scrubwoman
Miss Krumholtz
Singer
Fairfax Mason Singer
Ray Mason Milt Gatch
Toynbee
Donna McKechnie Dancer
Dale Moreda Dancer
Bob Murdock Policeman
Singer
Darrell Notara Dancer
Paul Reed Bert Bratt
Casper Roos Peterson
Singer
Silver Saundors Scrubwoman
Singer
Sammy Smith Twimble
Wally Womper
Ellie Somers Dancer
Maudeen Sullivan Singer
Claudette Sutherland Smitty
Merritt Thompson Dancer
Rosemary Yellen Dancer
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