Table of Contents
Introduction
How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying is a musical comedy about an ambitious window cleaner, J. Pierrepont Finch, and his rise up the corporate ladder. The musical is based on a 1952 novel of the same name by Shepherd Mead. It premiered on Broadway in 1961 and was adapted into a 1967 film starring Robert Morse. The musical was revived on Broadway in 1995 and 2011, winning several Tony Awards.
Plot Summary
The musical follows the story of J. Pierrepont Finch as he climbs the corporate ladder at the World Wide Wicket Company. Finch begins as a window washer and soon takes advantage of a book titled “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”. This book teaches him various techniques to get ahead in the corporate world, from subtle manipulation of his co-workers to outright deception. Finch’s methods prove successful and he quickly rises through the ranks, eventually becoming the company’s top executive. Along the way he strikes up a romantic relationship with the company’s female secretary, Rosemary Pilkington.
The Message Behind the Musical
The musical is primarily a satire of corporate life in the 1960s. It pokes fun at the competitive nature of the corporate world and the people who inhabit it. The musical also critiques the idea that success can be achieved simply by following a prescribed set of rules, no matter how unscrupulous they may be. Despite Finch’s success, the musical ultimately suggests that success without integrity is hollow and unfulfilling.
Adaptations on Broadway
The musical has been adapted for the stage several times. The original Broadway production opened in 1961, starring Robert Morse as J. Pierrepont Finch. The show went on to win numerous Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Actor in a Musical, and Best Score. In 1995, the musical was revived on Broadway and starred Matthew Broderick as Finch. This production was also a critical success, winning several Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical. Most recently, the musical was revived on Broadway in 2011, starring Daniel Radcliffe in the lead role.
Conclusion
How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying is an enduring classic that continues to resonate with audiences today. It offers a humorous and thought-provoking look at corporate life and the lengths people will go to get ahead. The musical continues to be performed on Broadway, where it has won numerous awards. Anyone looking to be successful in business without really trying should take a few lessons from J. Pierrepont Finch and the musical that made him famous.
So, to answer the question of how to be good at business without really trying, the answer is to take the advice of J. Pierrepont Finch: use manipulation, deception, and a bit of luck to get ahead in the corporate world. However, the musical also cautions that success without integrity can lead to an ultimately hollow victory, so it’s important to maintain a sense of ethics and morality even in the cutthroat world of business.