How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying [Cast Recording]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Just as new producers had done to Broadway's 1992 revival of Frank Loesser's Guys and Dolls, this Tony-winning revival of Loesser & Burrows's 1961 Pulitzer Prize winner has been transformed into a cartoon-like fantasy, featuring even more satire than was originally intended. Which, after all, is the only way numbers like "Happy to Keep His Dinner Warm" or "A Secretary Is Not a Toy" can be played in the post-feminist late '90s. And yet, the original 1961 period piece still remains the better musical recording--because it had both Robert Morse (who, with all due respect to Matthew Broderick, owns the role of Finch) and Rudy Vallee; and because some aficionados are mighty unhappy with the changes made in the orchestration of the vehicle's much beloved showstopper, "Brotherhood of Man." --Bill Holdship --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Tracks:

Give My Regards To Broadway- Joel Grey
Swanee- Al Jolson
When The Moon Shines On The Moonshine- Bert Williams
A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody- John Steel
My Man- Fanny Brice
Fascinating Rhythm- Fred Astaire, Adele Astaire
If You Knew Susie (Like I Know Susie)- 78rpm Version Eddie Cantor
Someone To Watch Over Me- Gertrude Lawrence
Bill- 78 rpm Version Helen Morgan
Ol' Man River- Paul Robeson
Ain't Misbehavin'- Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra
Ten Cents A Dance- Ruth Etting
Body And Soul- Libby Holman
Brother, Can You Spare A Dime- Bing Crosby
Night And Day- Fred Astaire
Heat Wave- Ethel Waters
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes- Tamara
You're The Top- Ethel Merman
Summertime- Anne Brown
September Song- Walter Huston
My Heart Belongs To Daddy- Mary Martin
It Never Entered My Mind- Shirley Ross
Bewitched, Bothered, Bewildered- Vivienne Segal
Oh, How I Hate To Get Up In The Morning- Irving Berlin
Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'- Alfred Drake

Tracks:

New York, New York- Cris Alexander,Adolph Green,John Reardon
If I Loved You- John Raitt,Jan Clayton
Come Rain Or Come Shine- Ruby Hill,Harold Nicholas
There's No Business Like Show Business- Ensemble
How Are Things In Glocca Morra? From "Finian's Rainbow"- Ella Logan
Once In Love With Amy- Ray Bolger
Wunderbar- Alfred Drake,Patricia Morison
Some Enchanted Evening- Ezio Pinza
Lost In The Stars- Todd Duncan
Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend- Carol Channing
Luck Be A Lady- Robert Alda,Guys
Getting To Know You- Gertrude Lawrence
Who Cares?- Jack Carson,Betty Oakes
Stranger In Paradise- from " Kismet" Doretta Morrow,Richard Kiley
Ballad Of Mack The Knife- Gerald Price
Hey There- from "The Pajama Game" John Raitt
Whatever Lola Wants- Gwen Verdon
I Could Have Danced All Night- Julie Andrews
Standing On The Corner- from "The Most Happy Fella, 1956" Shorty Long,John Henson,Alan Gilbert
The Party's Over- Judy Holliday
Glitter And Be Gay- Barbara Cook
Tonight- Larry Kert, Carol Lawrence

Tracks:

Seventy-Six Trombones- Robert Preston
I Enjoy Being A Girl- from "Flower Drum Song, 1958" Pat Suzuki
Everything's Coming Up Roses- Ethel Merman
My Favorite Things- from "The Sound Of Music" Mary Martin
Put On A Happy Face- from "Bye Bye Birdie" Dick Van Dyke
Try To Remember- Jerry Orbach
Camelot- from "Camelot" Richard Burton
Love Makes The World Go 'Round- Anna Maria Alberghetti
I Believe In You- Robert Morse And Co.
The Sweetest Sounds- Diahann Carroll,Richard Kiley
Comedy Tonight- Zero Mostel
What Kind Of Fool Am I?- Anthony Newley
As Long As He Needs Me- Georgia Brown
Hello, Dolly!- Carol Channing,Cast
People- Barbra Streisand
Anyone Can Whistle- from "Anyone Can Whistle" Lee Remick
If I Were A Rich Man- Zero Mostel
Night Song- Sammy Davis, Jr.
The Impossible Dream- Richard Kiley
If My Friends Could See Me Now- Gwen Verdon
Open a New Window- from Mame Voice

Tracks:

Willkommen- from "Cabaret" Joel Grey
Let The Sunshine In- James Rado,Lynn Kellogg,Melba Moore,Cast
I'll Never Fall In Love Again- Jill O'Hara,Jerry Orbach
The Ladies Who Lunch- from "Company" Elaine Stritch
Tea For Two- Roger Rathburn,Susan Watson
I'm Still Here- Yvonne De Carlo
I Don't Know How To Love Him- Yvonne Elliman
We Go Together- Adrienne Barbeau,Barry Bostwick,Walter Bobbie,Cast
Corner Of The Sky- John Rubinstein
Send In The Clowns- Glynis Johns
Ease On Down The Road- Stephanie Mills,Tiger Haynes,Ted Ross,Hinton
One- from "A Chorus Line" Cast
All That Jazz- Chita Rivera,Ensemble
Tomorrow- Andrea Mcardle
Don't Cry For Me Argentina- Patti Lupone
Come Follow The Band
Lullaby Of Broadway- Jerry Orbach
And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going- Jennifer Holliday
The Bells Of St. Sebastian- Raul Julia

Tracks:

Memory- Betty Buckley
I Am What I Am- George Hearn
Move On- Bernadette Peters,Mandy Patinkin
Do You Hear The People Sing?- Michael Maguire,Cast
The Music Of The Night- Michael Crawford
You're Nothing Without Me- James Naughton,Gregg Edelman
The American Dream- Jonathan Pryce,Cast
Doctor Jazz- Gregory Hines,Company
With One Look- Glenn Close
On Broadway- Adrian Bailey,Frederick B. Owens,Ken Ard,Victor Trent Cook
Le Jazz Hot- Julie Andrews,Ensemble
Seasons Of Love-
Hakuna Matata- Max Casella,Tom Alan Robbins,Scott Irby-Ranniar,Jason Raize
I Wanna Be A Producer- Matthew Broderick,Ensemble
Dancing Queen- Louise Plowright,Jenny Galloway
Good Morning Baltimore- Marissa Jaret Winokur
Movin' Out- Michael Cavanaugh,Band
I Go To Rio- Hugh Jackman,Company
Defying Gravity- Kristin Chenoweth,Idina Menzel

Customer Reviews:

Fabulous for any Broadway-lover.......2007-01-30

Packs into 5 CD's a sampling of Broadway tunes from the 20's thru (almost) today, mostly from original cast recordings. Includes not just well-known hits, but also some lesser-known gems. Sound quality is first rate, booklet is informative too. Have given this as a gift to several friends with rave reviews.

Top Shelf.......2007-01-04

This is THE definitive collection of Broadway hits. I have other collections, and none of them measure up. A great deal of care was obviously taken in compiling and presenting this box set. It covers a lot of ground, starting with some long-forgotten but still very enjoyable hits from the days of yore, and finishing with present-day favorites. To the best of my knowledge, the recordings are by those who made them famous. You won't be disappointed.

TERRIFIC CD'S.......2006-03-23

THESE BROADWAY MUSICALS CD'S ARE A BROADWAY LOVERS DREAM. WITH EACH SONG, MEMORIES COME FLOODING BACK. BOTH THE FAMILIAR AND THE FORGOTTEN SONGS ARE A TRUE LISTENING PLEASURE. IF YOU LIKE BROADWAY, YOU'LL LOVE THIS SET.

Great Collection of Broadways greatest Songs .......2005-06-14

This Collection was perfectly made it has almost all the most famous Broadway songs on this 5 cd set. The Music is great and has Broadways greatest treasures like "Memory""People""With One Look""Give my regards Too Broadway" just to name a few of this numerous cd set with over 100 songs. This is a great buy if you like musicals or The music of Broadway

Great Compilation!.......2005-01-17

If you are a fan of the Broadway Musicals, this is a collection that you should purchase. Since I got the 5 disc set I've enjoyed listening to it. The majority of the songs are done by the original singers. The collection is priceless considering that you will have over 100 songs from popular musicals since the beginning of Broadway

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Deluxe Edition) (1961 Original Broadway Cast)

Average customer rating:

Still an electrifying album
DEAR READER
There's never been a show like "How to Succeed"
A real life fairy tale...
It Succeeds!

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Deluxe Edition) (1961 Original Broadway Cast)
Frank Loesser , Robert Morse , and Bonnie Scott
Manufacturer: RCA Victor Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Matthew Broderick in "How to Succeed in Business WIthout Really Trying!"
A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum (1962 Original Broadway Cast)
Damn Yankees (1955 Original Broadway Cast)
Hello, Dolly! (1964 Original Broadway Cast) (Deluxe Edition)

ASIN: B0000DZ3ID
Release Date: 2003-11-04

Tracks:

Overture
How To
Happy To Keep His Dinner Warm
Coffee Break
The Company Way
The Company Way (Reprise)
A Secretary Is Not A Toy
Been A Long Day
Grand Old Ivy
Paris Original
Rosemary
Finaletto Act One
Cinderella, Darling
Love From A Heart Of Gold
I Believe In You
Brotherhood Of Man
Finale
Dear Reader - Walter Cronkite
You Have Alertly Seized Your Opportunities - Walter Cronkite
Been A Long Day (Reprise) - Luba Mason
How To (Reprise) - Women
So You Are Now A Vice-President - Walter Cronkite
How To Handle A Disaster... - Walter Cronkite
By This Time, You Are A Seasoned Executive... - Walter Cronkite
Organization Man
A Secretary Is Not A Toy
I Believe In You - J.J. Johnson
Brotherhood Of Man - Woody Herman And His New Thundering Herd
Getting The Part - Robert Morse
'I Believe In You' - Robert Morse
'The Company Way' - Robert Morse
The Audition - Charles Nelson Reilly
'Finaletto' - Charles Nelson Reilly
'Coffee Break' - Charles Nelson Reilly

Customer Reviews:

Still an electrifying album.......2007-05-29

What the world needs now and then -- what it used to get now and then -- is a true smash Broadway hit. We got an idea when "The Producers" opened, when reviewers raved and people rushed for tickets and The New York Times predicted it would run fifteen years. And then...Nate and Matt left, with Nate's place taken by some fellow who'd done Shylock on the West End, and he got fired, and the whole premium-priced house of cards crumbled in slow motion -- no more sellouts (at least none without the boys), no one acclaiming the "genius" of the newest Max Bialystock or of Susan Stroman, no one willing to overlook the indifferent songs or the "hoary" jokes (so Ben Brantley called them -- on opening night!), and the show closed nine years before the Times said it would, and now it's a relic, just another overrated -- vastly overrated -- memento of its day, a "Black Crook" of over-the-top "comedy."

"How to Succeed in Business" was the "Producers" of 1961 -- a highly-buzzed-about show that became a smash hit and earned tons of awards, including the Pulitzer. JFK came to see it, the ultimate stamp of approval. The difference, of course, is where Mel's show had an amanuensis, this one had the real thing in Frank Loesser. As the theatrical historian Gerald Bordman has noted, Loesser's strong suit was satire, yet somehow he got sidetracked into several big romantic shows, square pegs in round holes given his snappy up-to-the-minute style; he'd bombed the year before with the idyllic whimsy of "Greenwillow." Here he returned to the brassy form of "Guys and Dolls", and if it wasn't at that rarefied level (what could be?) his score was still one of the best -- and like most of the era's hits it was expertly and excellently cast, and thankfully for us superbly recorded. Whether the show itself is so excellent is another matter; it derives from a paper-thin in-joke parody of how-to manuals, and Abe Burrows's book pulls its punches from the get-go, content with easy set pieces. But the satirical prospects for "How to Succeed" have since increased exponentially. One could wrench "A Secretary is Not a Toy" from the weak orbit of Bob Fosse's finger snaps (the clever use of the typewriter here was evidently just for the album and most likely never made the show) and plunge it straight into an office machinery maelstrom of beeping computers and grinding copiers and ring-tone-playing cellphones. Of course J. Pierrepont Finch wouldn't be the only one with executive ambitions -- why not his beloved Rosemary? One or both could sell his (or her, or their) brilliant promotional scheme with a PowerPoint to end all PowerPoints. And Wall Street has outdone itself with imaginative crookery; merely hiding stock for a televised treasure hunt won't do -- unless of course Money Honey® emceed it on CNBC. Maybe she could be the femme fatale. Alas come the 1995 revival the producers' idea of humor was to emblazon their every poster (and the album art too) with a big fat "H2$" -- unfortunately H2S is the chemical symbol for hydrogen sulfide, sewer gas (yes, I know, it's a dollar sign, but it's also an S) -- and to get A&P's Eight O'Clock Coffee in for a willfully ignorant product placement.

Perhaps it can't be done. Perhaps this brilliant cast album is a deceptive siren song to a revival's possibilities -- like "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever", a first-rank score next to a rank book. But "Pal Joey" became a stage treasure thanks to Goddard Lieberson's studio album, and the stage is nothing if not for dreaming.

DEAR READER.......2007-01-28

DEAR READER

You naughty Frank Loesser, tk, tk, tk, tk, tk, tk, tk, tk, tk (vintage typewriter clicks in the orchestra here): with your Jewish, Mid-European blood, wouldn't you have known --immersed deep in Rumyonland all your life-- before having Rosemary Pilkington say:
"Happy to keep his dinner warm till he comes wearily home"
then:
"I'm pregnant; what's new with you from downtown?"
...that these lyrics are so politically incorrect today? Executive suites, three button suits, doing things "The Company Way" are quite OK though: as (the then) Reagan Corps., later Bush Sr., now Cheney's Halliburton plus their henchmen in Eurobond Inc. all reign worldwide supreme; a dead solid Brotherhood of Man! Wait a minute, let's not try getting sincere! (Gotta stop that Frank Loesser cold or he'll still manage to stop the big rocket of political correctness!) It may embarrass Lloyd-Weberites, specially bric-a-brac-bazar-musicals suckers, to hear me say it, but say it I must: "How To Succeed in Business..." was the wondrous follow-up to the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical theatre revolution in the 40s/50s.... and more!

After his "Guys & Dolls" earlier masterpiece, through "Most Lucky Fella" (more 'a show with lots of music' than a Gerwhinesque Folk Opera') Loesser, a great among the finest composer/lyricists, produced his most distilled, hilarious and incisive work, teamed with Abe Burrows and the 'succeeding' choreographer of the day: Bob Fosse. To incarnate lead Pierpont Finch they groomed ex US Navy & Korean War fighter Robert Morse, with his quaint split teeth smirk, not much of a singer (listen to his breathing, the odd out of tune notes) yet, if we watch the movie version of "How To" (among the finest Hollywood Broadway adaptations) --and as a bonus, Tony Richardson's film "The Loved One"-- one can imagine Morse's charisma as the impetuous youth, the cheeky, happy go-lucky, unstoppable crawler from mailroom to the Tony Awards. And there was the awesome casting of vintage silver crooner Rudy Vallee as Biggley, supported by a bunch of fine female belting secretaries led by Bonnie Scott (and boy, belt they did! Just listen to Victoria Martin's high note in "Heart of Gold" if you can bear it.)

In the Deluxe Edition some of the bonus tracks are interesting, others less, like Charles Nelson Reilly's goings on about operatic Finalettos and such, although how right he was in his depiction of the problems he had pitching Coffee Break, then goes into a ridiculously rampant PAPAMPAMPAM!!! confessing: "I had A BAD EAR but I had a lot of spirit"... (good, honest ole' pro!) Loesser singing his demo sketch for "A Secretary is Not A Toy" at the piano is a real treat to listen to and ponder --knowing the final version-- on how any successful show depended on the interaction (and squabbles!) of its various creative collaborators. Also we get a tip of marvelous Walter Conkrite 'Book Reader's voice', which one can find, plus other missing bits, in the 1995 'H2$' New Broadway Cast Album with Mathew Broderick, a great Jeff Blumenkrantz as Frump et al; but, alas, this Clinton-era revival, with pointless new orchestrations and a ridiculous, Gospel-like arrangement of 'Brotherhood of Man' doesn't live up to the real macoy, for... Gentlemen, gentlemen! a good Broadway Masterpiece is NOT a toy, and you find nothing like it in F.A.O Shwartz! (For a real Xtra bonus, have a listen to Bobby Darin's "I Believe In You", LOL! the veritable Narcissus-swing-hit-song rendered by the very one!)

So, dear reader, you have alertly seized your opportunity to revisit or get to know this Original Cast Album of one of the best shows of the early 1960s just before its grand sloping period. Let's have a coffee on it, for it's been a long day; decades... I should say, of devastation. What? No COFFEE? No tunes? No wit? No art? No stars? Nothing remotely original? Why weren't Sondheim's greats rightly produced?

Ooooooh.... something within me dies!

There's never been a show like "How to Succeed".......2006-06-13

This is a fantastic soundtrack of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Great musical numbers include "The Company Way", "Grand Old Ivy", "A Secretary is Not a Toy!", "Coffee Break", and "Happy to Keep His Dinner Warm". There is also familiar musical numbers like "I Believe in You", "Paris Original", "Rosemary", "How To", and the show stopping number "Brotherhood of Man". This show has a strong singing cast and that's what a hit Broadway musical needs. The cast includes the hilarious ROBERT MORSE as J. Pierpont Finch, the famous RUDY VALLEE as Mr. J.B. Biggley, the talented BONNIE SCOTT as Rosemary, the beautiful VIRGINIA MARTIN as Hedy LaRue, and the extremely goofy CHARLES NELSON REILLY as Bud Frump. Other cast members are RUTH KOBART, SAMMY SMITH, DONNA McKECHNIE, and PAUL REED. This musical is about a window washer, J. Pierpont Finch (MORSE), who wishes to "succeed in business" and while his knowledge of business increases after learning a thing or two by his boss, Mr. Biggley (VALLE), he falls in love with his very attractive secretary, Rosemary (SCOTT) and tries to overcome his evil enemy, Bud Frump (REILLY), Biggley's dimwitted nephew. Music and Lyrics written by FRANK LOESSER (Guys and Dolls, Where's Charley, The Most Happy Fella). Book written and Directed by ABE BURROWS (Guys and Dolls). Based on the book "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" by Shephard Mead. Choreography by BOB FOSSE (Chicago, Pippin, Sweet Charity, The Pajama Game). I recomend this sountrack to anyone who loves classic Broadway musicals.

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A real life fairy tale..........2004-07-09

Many people have come into contact with and grown to love Frank Loesser's work through his most famous musical, the wonderful Guys and Dolls, but in my opinion this is infinitly superior and no broadway collection can be said to be complete without it. I immediately fell in love with this musical, but at first I was unable to see wherein the charm actually lay. The music, while catchy and fun to listen to, is not extraordinary, and, while Loesser's lyrics are clever and creative, he is certainly not my favorite lyricsist. The cast is excellent and perfectly suited to the piece, but that is the case in many of the original cast recordings of the best broadway musicals. And yet, despite not being overwhelmed by it, I could not stop listening to it. At length, I concluded that it is the story and the nonchalant, carefree feeling of the piece that captivates me. Each character is somehow endearing, in every song it is possible to relate to their emotions and desires, and yet, at the same time, it is so light and funny; at times it is as if nothing could shatter the playful frolicing world Loesser has created. Musicals are usually built around unusual events or are set in unusual places; it is the very simplicity that makes this recording so endearing, the idea is such a basic one, a young man trying to make his way in the world, and yet he goes about it in such an unorthadox fashion that the audience is instantly charmed and sucked into the story. From the first moment that he appears on stage we want him to succeed. That is the mark of a good musical. This down to earth, innocent style is especially well embodied by Robert Morse and his Rosemary, Bonnie Scott. It is impossible to listen to Happy to Keep His Dinner Warm or I Believe in You without a smile coming to your lips. And there are many other wonderful moments on this CD. M personal favorite is The Company Way, but I cannot resist the charming Been a Long Day, the electricfying Paris Original, the lovely Rosemary or the wonderful climatic moment that is Brotherhood of Man. Buy this recording, dont even think abut buying the revival cast first, (i mean, come on, how could they leave out Cinderella, Darling? It's one of the catchiest moments on the whole CD) or better still buy the Deluxe Edition if you can. But whatever you do, dont hesitate to buy it at the earliest oppurtunity. Even if you dont believe me, take a look at the facts, 1,417 performances, every possible award for best musical in its season, a Pulitzer Prize, (if nothing else sways you that should, I mean, only two other musical won one) productions all over the world, a successful revival, a reasonably successful film...I could go on and on. Please, just do me a favour and invest in something that you will enjoy for the rest of your life.

It Succeeds!.......2001-11-05

Whether you saw the film or not, get the CD and nod your head, stamp your feet, pucker up and smile. Great Music!

Matthew Broderick in "How to Succeed in Business WIthout Really Trying!"

Average customer rating:

Megan Mullally+Victoria Clark+Jeff Blumenkrantz... amazing...
I liked the musical and this C.D.!!
a good revival, Megan Mullally is luminous
Bigger is not always better... but also not always worse
Wonderful energy in this recording!

Matthew Broderick in "How to Succeed in Business WIthout Really Trying!"
Frank Loesser
Manufacturer: RCA Victor Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Revivals | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Musicals | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Deluxe Edition) (1961 Original Broadway Cast)
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1996 Broadway Revival Cast)
Kiss Me, Kate (1999 Broadway Revival Cast)
The Drowsy Chaperone (2006 Original Broadway Cast)

ASIN: B000003FXA
Release Date: 1995-07-18

Tracks:

Ov - Orch
Dear Reader - Walter Cronkite
How To Succeed - Mathew Broderick, Company
Happy To Keep His Dinner Warm - Meagan Mullally, Victoria Clark
Coffee Break - Jeff Blumenkrantz, Victoria Clark, Ensemble
You Have Alertly Seized Your Opportunities - Walter Cronkite
The Company Way - Gerry Vichi, Matthew Broderick
The Company Way (Reprise) - Jeff Blu menkrantz, Company
Entrance Of Hedy LaRue - Orch
A Secretary Is Not A Toy - Jonathan Freeman, Company
Been A Long Day - Victoria Clark, Mullally, Mathew Broderick, Ensemble
Been A Long Day (Reprise) - Jeff Blumenkrantz, Ronn Carroll, Luba Mason
Saturday Morning Ballet - Orch
Grand Old Ivy - Ronn Carroll, Luba Mason
Paris Original - Megan Mullally, Kristi Lynes, Victoria Clark, Lillas White, Company
Rosemary - Mathew Brodick, Magan Mullally
Act One Finale - Mathew Broderick
Entr'acte - Orch
How To Succeed - Victoria Clark, Kristi Lynes, Women
So You Are Now A Vice-President - Walter Cronkie
Happy To Keep His Dinner Warm - Megan Mullally
Love From A Heart Of Gold - Ronn Carroll, Luba Mason
I Believe In You - Matthew Broderick, Men
The Pirate Dance - Ensample
How To Handle A Disaster - Walter Cronkite
I Believe In You - Megan Mullally
By This Time, You Are A Seasoned Executive - Walter Cronkite
Brotherhood Of Man - Matthew Broderick/Garry Vichi, Lillias White, Company
Finale - Company

Amazon.com

Just as new producers had done to Broadway's 1992 revival of Frank Loesser's Guys and Dolls, this Tony-winning revival of Loesser & Burrows's 1961 Pulitzer Prize winner has been transformed into a cartoon-like fantasy, featuring even more satire than was originally intended. Which, after all, is the only way numbers like "Happy to Keep His Dinner Warm" or "A Secretary Is Not a Toy" can be played in the post-feminist late '90s. And yet, the original 1961 period piece still remains the better musical recording--because it had both Robert Morse (who, with all due respect to Matthew Broderick, owns the role of Finch) and Rudy Vallee; and because some aficionados are mighty unhappy with the changes made in the orchestration of the vehicle's much beloved showstopper, "Brotherhood of Man." --Bill Holdship

Customer Reviews:

Megan Mullally+Victoria Clark+Jeff Blumenkrantz... amazing..........2007-03-12

Megan Mullally, who plays Rosemary Pilkington, is fantastic in everything she does... this is an incredible performance. I love her!!! Paris Original is fantastic!
Victoria Clark, who plays Smitty, is hilarious and is an incredible singer... I love this woman!
Jeff Blumenkrantz is the perfect slimy nerd who you love to hate. His vocals are amazing... Love him!

Three of my favorite actors... My favorite show... AMAZING CD!!!!

(Been a Long Day is the best song in life!)

I liked the musical and this C.D.!!.......2005-11-06

In 1995, I had the opportunity to see this show on Broadway however John Stamos was playing the role Matthew Broderick played in H2$. Stamos gave a super performance. Anyway Broderick and the rest of the cast delivered in this recording of this revival. My personal favorite is the upbeat, "Brotherhood of Man"! The music still stands the test of time after all these years!

a good revival, Megan Mullally is luminous.......2004-08-13

Frank Loesser's HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING (or `H2$' as it came to be known thanks to this revival), is one of the top Broadway musicals, winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 1961 with the original production, and immortalised on screen with its original star Robert Morse. In 1995, H2$ came back to Broadway in a snappy new revival, starring Matthew Broderck in a Tony-nominated turn as J. Pierrepont Finch, the window-washer with dreams of making it in the world of big business. Megan Mullally (pre-'Will and Grace') makes for a thrilling and endearing Rosemary Pilkington, while Victoria Clark (TITANIC) plays Smitty and Luba Mason is Hedy La Rue, the office bombshell. Matthew Broderick is a warm and winning `Ponty', and his performance alone is worth the investment of this cast album.

Megan Mullally can belt it with the best of them, as evidenced in her numbers "Happy to Keep His Dinner Warm" and "Paris Original". Victoria Clark is a lovely Smitty (too bad they dropped "Cinderella Darling" which Clark would have turned into a showstopper). Jeff Blumenkrantz is a campy and suitably-slimy Bud Frump, and Ronn Carroll is fantastic as the pompous J.B. Biggley. Lillias White makes the most out of the role of Miss Jones (commanding center-stage during her "Brotherhood of Man" solo). As an added delight for this revival, every time Ponty opened his `How to Succeed..' book, the voice of Walter Cronkite would be heard as the Narrator! Later on in the run, Matthew Broderick's wife Sarah Jessica Parker would replace Mullally as Rosemary. If you've already purchased the original cast album (w. Robert Morse) I would recommend you also buy this version.

Bigger is not always better... but also not always worse.......2004-05-02

The transformation of HTSIBWRT (the acronym by which the original was known) to H2$ (the acronym for this major revival) was not a simple one, even though (surprisingly) the show proved so timely when revived its book didn't need to be greatly rewritten. Its orchestrations, however, were enormously revamped and expanded, sometimes to the show's detriment (the reworking of the big finale, "the Brotherhood of Man," doesn't have the same kind of impact the original did, for example). And despite the fineness of Matthew Broderick in the lead role, he doesn't project the kind of ingratiating sexiness that made such a star out of Robert Morse. But everyone else in this re-do is superb, from Ronn Carroll as Mr. Biggley to Megan Mullaly playing the ingenue very charmingly years before she would stumble across the TV studio set as Karen Walker. (She's very charming in the great "Paris Original" number.) Best of all is Victoria Clark as Smitty, the heroine's best friend: her singing and speaking voice are so perfectly clear and memorable that you may never be able to get her pronunciation of the name "Rosemary" in the beginning of the show's second act completely out of your head.

Wonderful energy in this recording!.......2003-02-22

I recently purchased this recording to fill out my Broadway collection even more and I absolutely fell in love with the performances.

When this cast recording first came out, I was skeptical-thinking that it could never supercede the 1961 original. I was intrigued when The New York Times had Broderick on its front page with an in depth article on how an actor can infuse a popular song into something meaningful and how the current crop of opera singers could learn a thing or two from listening to MB's way with a lyric. Well...that article provoked quite a reaction from opera fans. Listening to this recording years later, I cannot help but agree with The New York Times. Broderick sings each song in a lilting voice, delivering the lyrics with intent. He sings the characterization and presents a guileful, cunning rogue.

Megan Mullally is a wonderful Rosemary who sings with just the right touch of irony to keep one from gagging on the sexist perception of women. Love Walter Cronkite's contributions and the additional dialogue added to the intro. and exit of songs aids the the characterizations as well. The sound production is top-notch and the whole cast performs on high octane. Recommended highly.

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1961 Original Broadway Cast)
Average customer rating:

Still an electrifying album

DEAR READER

There's never been a show like "How to Succeed"

A real life fairy tale...

It Succeeds!

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1961 Original Broadway Cast)
Frank Loesser , Robert Morse , and Rudy Vallee
Manufacturer: RCA Victor Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

Matthew Broderick in "How to Succeed in Business WIthout Really Trying!"

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum (1962 Original Broadway Cast)

Damn Yankees (1955 Original Broadway Cast)

Hello, Dolly! (1964 Original Broadway Cast) (Deluxe Edition)

ASIN: B000003EZ7
Release Date: 1990-05-15

Tracks:

Overture - Orchestra
How To - Original Broadway Cast Recording
Happy To Keep His Dinner Warm - Bonnie Scott
Coffee Break - Charles Nelson Reilly
The Company Way
The Company Way (Reprise) - Charles Nelson Reilly
A Secretary Is Not A Toy - Paul Reed
Been A Long Day
Grand Old Ivy
Paris Original
Rosemary
Finaletto Act One
Cinderella, Darling - Bonnie Scott
Love From A Heart Of Gold - Rudy Vallee
I Believe In You
Brotherhood Of Man
Finale

Customer Reviews:

Still an electrifying album.......2007-05-29

DEAR READER.......2007-01-28

There's never been a show like "How to Succeed".......2006-06-13

A real life fairy tale..........2004-07-09

It Succeeds!.......2001-11-05

Whether you saw the film or not, get the CD and nod your head, stamp your feet, pucker up and smile. Great Music!

Average customer rating:

The Title Is Accurate.

Great Musicals

Manufacturer: RCA Victor Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

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General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

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Similar Items:

Encores from Encores!
Brian Stokes Mitchell
Barbara Cook at the Met with Special Guests
Build a Bridge
South Pacific in Concert from Carnegie Hall

ASIN: B00005LN5W
Release Date: 2001-08-07

Tracks:

Candide: Overture - Orchestra
Fiddler On The Roof: Prologue - Tradition - Zero Mostel And Company
Hello, Dolly!: Dancing - Carol Channing And Company
Cabaret: If You Could See Her - Alan Cumming
Ain't Misbehavin': Honeysuckle Rose - Ken Page/Nell Carter
Guys And Dolls: Sue Me - Faith Prince/Nathan Lane
Sweeney Todd: The Worst Pies In London - Angela Lansbury
Ragtime: New Music - Mark Jacoby/Marin Mazzie/Steven Sutcliffe/Brian Stokes Mitchell/Audra McDonald/Company
Titanic: Lady's Maid - Original Cast
How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying!: Rosemary - Matthew Broderick/Megan Mullally
Les Miserables: Bring Him Home - Colm Wilkinson
Falsettos: Unlikely Lovers - Lewis Cleale/James Sasser/Farah Alvin/Kristin Woodbury
Parade: All The Wasted Time - Brent Carver/Carolee Carmello
The Sound Of Music: Do-Re-Mi - Rebecca Luker And Company

Customer Reviews:

The Title Is Accurate........2002-02-21

I'll be honest - I mainly bought this CD for one song - the new recording of William Finn's "Unlikely Lovers" from Falsettos.

In fact, there is a sticker on the front of the Great Musicals CD which states the following - "Unlikely Lovers from Falsettos is new to CD."

This isn't really correct. This particular recording of that wonderful second act song is new, but the song itself was previously recorded and released on the original cast recording of Falsettoland many years ago. I have also read a review of another (unauthorised?) CD recording made in Michigan of Falsettoland.

Anyway, this new recording is so powerful and emotional, I'm glad I bought the CD.

Readers might be interested to know that the 2001 recording of U. Lovers was made at Joe's Pub in January - the same place where Finn's Infinite Joy was recorded.

To the best of my knowledge, U.L. wasn't performed in the live show. I believe this as in an interview, Finn stated that the only song from Falsettos they were to perform in Infinite Joy was The Baseball Game (wonderfully conveyed by Stephen DeRosa on the CD). Also, in this new recording of U.L., unlike the recordings on Infinite Joy, there isn't any audience reaction. I suspect that the cast made this recording before or after audience arrived.

Loved this new version. It's accompanied by a solo piano. Lewis Cleale has a more traditional male voice (light baritone?) than Michael Rupert's higher, head, some might say "character" sound. Both are more than pleasant on the ear.

Also, on this recording, there's an a cappella section towards the end of the song; on the lyrics "...let's pretend..." Quite affecting.

As for the rest of the album, well all the tracks are gems in one way or another. Particular favourites of mine include -

"Lady's Maid" from Titanic. With it's "up down up" three note/syllable melody structure (millionaire, constable, engineer) it is immediately catchy, and is a great example of an "I'm about to start a journey, so wish me luck as I go" type of show song.

"All The Wasted Time" from Parade. Loved the almost folk influenced sound and the soaring voices; including Carolee Carmello who is heard on Infinite Joy.

"New Music" from Ragtime. It 'builds' beautifully and is a great example of the work of a contemporary song writing team - the highly talented Flaherty and Ahrens.

I suppose the thing is, that many musical theatre buffs will already have many of these songs on CD. However, you many not have THESE recordings - e.g. - the "If You Could See Her" from Cabaret is from the 1998 version, the "Do-Re-Mi" from (what else?) The S.O.M. is the 1998 recording.

If one was being picky, the following points might be made -

For a CD celebrating RCA's 100th anniversary, this collection is somewhat 'top heavy' - 9 of the 14 tracks - almost 65% were recorded in 1992 or later.

Also -

With a number of the American based performers, even when they are portraying non-Americans, their native accent is still recognisable. This is particularly noticeable on track 14 - "Do-Re-Mi" ("...Here, I'll make it easier for you...") and, to a lesser extent; track 2 - "Prologue - Tradition" from Fiddler ("...trying to scratch out a pleasant simple tune...")

But when one is dealing with material and performances of this level, such points are minor quibbles.

Tracks:

South Pacific: Some Enchanted Evening - Eric Hammerstein
Thumbs Up: Autumn In New York - Larry Dalton And His Orchestra
My Fair Lady: On The Street Where You Live - Eric Hammerstein
On A Clear Day (You Can See Forever): On A Clear Day (You Can See Forever) - The Romantic Strings Orchestra
Camelot: If Ever I Would Leave You - The Romantic Strings Orchestra
Song And Dance: Unexpected Song - Eric Hammerstein
The Fantasticks: Try To Remember - Jo Stafford
How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying: I Believe In You - Jo Stafford
West Side Story: Maria - Eric Hammerstein
Guys And Dolls: Medley: A Bushel And A Peck/I'll Know/More I Cannot Wish You/I've Never Been In Love Before - London Promenade Orchestra
Annie Get Your Gun: The Girl That I Marry - London Promenade Orchestra
Annie Get Your Gun: They Say It's Wonderful - London Promenade Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

Some Enchanted Evening is enchanting!.......2002-07-26

This album takes you on a stroll down memory lane, enchanting all the way. It is relaxing and soothing listening, and will be great background music for a candlelit dinner for two, an evening party with a mix of ages and backgrounds, or just to sing with while you get some work done. The orchestration is excellent and the performances wonderfully smooth. A hit for everyone!

How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack [Enhanced CD]

Average customer rating:

Frank Loesser - you're the greatest!!
An underappreciated musical making sly comment on corporate life
How to Suceed in Business without Really Trying
Robert Morse is Priceless!
How To Enjoy "How To Succeed..."

How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack [Enhanced CD]
Frank Loesser
Manufacturer: Rykodisc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Nostalgia | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Matthew Broderick in "How to Succeed in Business WIthout Really Trying!"
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Deluxe Edition) (1961 Original Broadway Cast)
Damn Yankees
The Pajama Game

ASIN: B000009CDD
Release Date: 1998-07-14

Tracks: