How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful for school productions! (click for advice)
Review: First, the score itself: well, what can I say? It's a standard score, printed clearly on good paper, which has a slight tendency to fall out from the binding when put to hard use, so I recommend hole-punching the whole thing and putting it into a binder before beginning a production. Unlike a lot of piano scores being written these days (such as, say, Crazy For You,) this one is actually playable by one person. There are nine chorus numbers, of which only four are of any difficulty at all: "Coffee Break," "A Secretary Is Not A Toy," and "Brotherhood of Man" are the production numbers, "Cinderella, Darling" is the women's number with little dancing. The recording which is truest to the score and (probably) the composer's intentions is the 1961 version which was recorded only 8 days after the production first opened. This recording also gives insight into how Finch (the main character) was conceived-- much more brash, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed (for a Chipmunk!) than the Matthew Broderick revival recording, which attempts to make this a 1990's musical, which it is not and was never meant to be. Compare, for instance, the score and '61 recording of Miss Jones in "Brotherhood of Man" with the 1995 version. The voice and music are completely different, and so, consequently, is the character. If you are someone involved in a production, or just someone who loves this show, feel free to let me know. I'm the vocal director of Vanderbilt University's musical program, and we're putting it on in spring of 2000. Feel free to write me and tell me why I'm right or wrong about this musical (which I've so far studied but not actually produced).

Rating:
Summary: H2$ Is An Incredible Show
Review: The musical score for How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying (H2$) is great. I can't imagine a better storyline or score. Among the songs in H2$, specail attention should be paid to Paris Original, Coffee Break, and Brotherhood of Man. Strength in these areas can really make or break any production of this show. I believe that in addition to the 1961 recording, the 1995 recording is also a valuable tool for gaining insight as to how many of the songs can/should be performed. Even though the 1995 recording does not follow the original score exactly, it is my preference. I hope that you can succeed with SUCCEED. Enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: H2$ Is An Incredible Show
Review: The musical score for How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying (H2$) is great. I can't imagine a better storyline or score. Among the songs in H2$, specail attention should be paid to Paris Original, Coffee Break, and Brotherhood of Man. Strength in these areas can really make or break any production of this show. I believe that in addition to the 1961 recording, the 1995 recording is also a valuable tool for gaining insight as to how many of the songs can/should be performed. Even though the 1995 recording does not follow the original score exactly, it is my preference. I hope that you can succeed with SUCCEED. Enjoy!