BroadwayRadio Podcast Summary: All the Drama: “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”

Podcast Information:

• Title: BroadwayRadio
• Host/Author: BroadwayRadio
• Description: Broadway's Premier Podcasts
• Episode: All the Drama: “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”, 1962 Winner, Pulitzer Prize for Drama
• Release Date: July 12, 2025

Introduction and Historical Context

The episode opens with host Jan Simpson setting the stage in 1962, a pivotal year marked by significant events such as the Kennedy administration's embargo on Cuba and astronaut John Glenn's groundbreaking orbit around the Earth. Amid these historical milestones, the corporate landscape in the United States was undergoing a transformation, with white-collar jobs surpassing blue-collar roles for the first time. It is within this backdrop that "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying", a satirical musical, emerges and triumphs by winning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama—the fourth musical ever to receive this honor.

Jan Simpson [00:03]: "A fundamental change as the US economy shifts toward service, clerical and corporate jobs."

Origin and Development of the Musical

The musical's roots trace back to a humorous self-help book titled "The Dastard's Guide to Fame and Fortune" by Shepard Meadow Mead, an advertising professional who climbed the corporate ladder himself. Published in 1952, the book became a bestseller, catching the attention of playwrights Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert. Their initial attempts to adapt the book into a play fell flat until producers Cy Fuer and Ernest Martin saw its potential as a musical.

Key Figures: Abe Burrows and Frank Lesser

Central to the musical's creation are writer Abe Burrows and composer Frank Lesser. Burrows, originally Abram Solman Barowitz, was a prolific writer credited with co-creating the popular radio show Duffy's Tavern and contributing to the success of Guys and Dolls. His comedic brilliance was instrumental in transforming Mead's book into a compelling stage production.

Frank Lesser, born in 1910, was a versatile songwriter and composer known for his work on The Most Happy Fella. Despite initial reluctance, Lesser joined forces with Burrows to compose the music and lyrics for "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying". Their collaboration overcame challenges, including conflicts with actors like Rudy Valli and issues with choreography, ultimately leading to a successful Broadway production.

Jan Simpson [10:00]: "Frank Lesser was the family rebel... he insisted on teaching himself how to play piano because he preferred the jazzier sounds of the day over the classical music that his father and brother favored."

Production and Reception of the Musical

The musical premiered at the 46th Street Theater (now the Richard Rodgers Theater) on October 14, 1961, receiving unanimous acclaim and running for an impressive 1,417 performances. Despite its success, Lesser expressed some disappointment, feeling the score lacked the strong ballads he was known for. Nonetheless, the musical won seven out of eight Tony nominations, only missing in the score category.

The original Broadway cast featured Robert Morse as J. Pierpont Finch, complemented by Michelle Lee as Rosemary and Rudy Valli as J.B. Bigley. The production was noted for its sharp satire of corporate culture and its engaging characters, making it both a critical and commercial success.

Winning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama

In 1962, "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The decision was influenced by the inability to award the prize to "A Man for All Seasons" by Robert Bolt due to Bolt's non-American citizenship, as Pulitzer rules at the time required recipients to be U.S. citizens. Consequently, the Pulitzer committee turned to the musical, praising it as "one of America's triumphant musicals, a jubilant, sardonic and hilarious travesty of the ways of big business."

Jan Simpson [28:42]: "Susan Lesser, her dad wasn't even impressed on how to Succeed won the Pulitzer."

Despite some reservations, the committee and the advisory board endorsed the musical, recognizing its cultural significance and humor.

Conversation with Kristen Stoltz Presley

The episode features an insightful discussion with Kristen Stoltz Presley, a musical theater historian and author of Pulitzer Prize Winning Musicals. Presley shares her personal connection to the musical, having fallen in love with it during its 1995 Broadway revival starring Matthew Broderick and Megan Mullally.

Kristen Stoltz Presley [23:02]: "I fell in love with it. Back then, my family and I would often see musicals during the Macy's Parade."

Presley elaborates on the challenges musicals face in winning the Pulitzer due to inherent biases that often categorize musical theater as "populist" rather than "high art." She highlights that only a handful of musicals have ever won the prize, emphasizing the achievement of "How to Succeed" within this select group.

Kristen Stoltz Presley [30:02]: "I absolutely do [think it's harder for a musical to win the Pulitzer]."

Despite the changing dynamics in theater and societal attitudes, the musical continues to be celebrated through numerous revivals and performances by community groups and colleges, attesting to its enduring appeal and relevance.

Conclusion and Legacy of the Show

"How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" remains a beloved piece in American theater, frequently revived and cherished for its witty portrayal of corporate ambition and its memorable score. The 1967 film adaptation and subsequent Broadway revivals in 1995 and 2011 have cemented its legacy. With ongoing performances and continued relevance, the musical stands as a testament to the golden age of Broadway and its ability to capture and critique the zeitgeist.

Kristen Stoltz Presley [37:14]: "The music is so brilliant, and there's a nostalgia for these shows that kind of created our cultural identity in a sense."

Jan Simpson wraps up the episode by acknowledging the show's lasting impact and inviting listeners to engage further with their content.

Jan Simpson [39:13]: "Thank you for listening. I hope you'll come back next time."

Notable Quotes:

• Jan Simpson [22:43]: "Joining me to talk about this still somewhat beloved fourth musical to win the Pulitzer is the musical theater historian Kristen Stoltz Presley..."

• Kristen Stoltz Presley [24:38]: "I think it was so funny. And I loved Matthew Broderick. I was a kid in the 80s, so Ferris Bueller was definitely near and dear to my heart."

• Jan Simpson [35:24]: "Now, because you've studied all the musicals that have won the award, do you think it's harder for a musical to win the Pulitzer?"

• Kristen Stoltz Presley [32:46]: "I'll be honest, I love it. And I have already confessed to being a Golden age girlie. And in fact, I've written a book about Dorothy Fields..."

Final Thoughts: This episode of BroadwayRadio delves deeply into the making, success, and lasting influence of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying". Through detailed storytelling and expert insights, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of why this musical not only won the Pulitzer Prize but continues to resonate with audiences decades later.