How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying The Musical

Lyrics and Music by Frank Loesser
Book by Jack Weinstock, Abe Burrows, and Willie Gilbert

Recommended Resources

Plot Summary & Audition Tips

List of Characters in
How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying

How To Succeed... Sheet Music (Vocal Selections)

How To Succeed... Complete Vocal Score

How To Succeed... Film Version on DVD

How To Succeed... Original Broadway Cast

Based on the book by Shepard Mead.

How to Succeed in Business as story about the triumph of the common people. The hero is a window washer, J. Pierrepont Finch. After Finch happens upon a book entitled How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, he decides to begin his rise up the corporate ladder. Following the instructions of the book, Finch lands a job in the mailroom at the World Wide Wicket Company. With the help of his handy book, Finch quickly gains promotions and outsmarts his rival, Frump - who also happens to be the boss's nephew. Finch also gains the love of Rosemary, a secretary at the company. In the end, however, after Finch's ad campaign goes awry, the book can no longer help him. He is forced to rely on his own wits and performs so admirably that he is promoted to Chairman of the Board.

This show has many good roles for men of various ages. The ability to dance is a definite asset.

J. Pierrepont Finch (Bari/Tenor - C to high Gb, 18 - 30)

ambitious to a fault but also irrepressable, likeable, charming & impish

Rosemary Pilkington (Mezzo - low A to B, 18 - 30)

The woman behind the man. An attractive, loyal and confident secretary. In love with Finch.

J.B. Biggley (Baritone - C to high G, 50 -70)

Company president. A philandering yet well-respected stuffed shirt.

Miss Jones (Soprano - A to high Ab, 45 - 75)

J.B's stuffy secretary. Easily flattered.

Bud Frump (Tenor/Baritone - low A to E, light dancing, 18 - 30)

Biggley's shameless but wimpy nephew and Finch's nemisis. A schemer.

Hedy LaRue (Mezzo - low C toC, 21 - 35)

Beautiful, sexy, red-headed air-head. J.B's mistress. Comic timing and character voice.

Mr. Twimble (Baritone - low C# to E, 50 -90)

Head of the mailroom for the last 25 years. Experienced and obedient.

Smitty (Alto/Mezzo - low B to C, 25 - 35)

Rosemary's friend, a fellow secretary. No-nonsense attitude and dead-pan humour.

Gatch (Non-singing, light dancing, 30 - 60)

Middle-management man with an over-zealous lust for women.

Bratt (Baritone - low Db to D, light dancing, 30 - 50)
Miss Krumholtz (Mezzo - low C to Bb, light dancing, 30 - 65)
Wally Womper (Baritone - low D to E, light dancing, 55 - 90)
Ovington (Non-singing, light dancing, 35 - 65)
executives & secretaries
Medium-Large Chorus

How To Succeed... Links - Related Websites

Audition Preparation Information

List of Songs in
How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying

• Improve your dance skills here.

• How To Succeed (Finch)
• Happy To Keep his Dinner Warm (Rosemary)
• Coffee Break (chorus)
• The Company Way (Finch & Twimble)
• The Entrance of Hedy LaRue
• A Secretary Is Not a Toy (Bratt & chorus)
• Been a Long Day (Smitty, Rosemary, & Finch)
• Saturday Morning Ballet
• Grand Old Ivy (Biggley & Finch)
• Paris Original (female chorus)
• Rosemary (Finch & Rosemary)
• Cinderella Darling (female chorus)
• Love From a Heart of Gold (Hedy & Biggley)
• I Believe in You (Finch & male chorus)
• The Pirate Dance
• Brotherhood of Man (male chorus)