One book is all Big Bird needs to pretend.
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is a Broadway musical satirizing big companies and the workplace, as a window washer rises through the ranks thanks to the titular book. It originally ran from 1961 to 1965, with later revivals, national tours, and a 1967 film version. All songs were by Frank Loesser.
References[]
- One of the chapter's of Kermit's 2006 book Before You Leap is titled "How to Succeed at Success Without Being Too Trying."
- At the start of Episode 3343 of Sesame Street, Sir John Feelgood presents Big Bird with a book and song, both titled "How to Pretend" (spoofing the title number of the musical, and the way a book starts the plot).
- "Brotherhood of Man," the third act showstopper, has been performed several times by the Muppets.
- Among the theatre credits listed on Pepe the King Prawn's resume for his audition for the 2016 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is "How to Succeed in Show Business Without Really Trying."
Connections[]
- Roger Bart played Bud Frump in the 1996 national tour
- Jeff Blumenkrantz played Bud Frump in the 1995 revival
- Abe Burrows co-wrote the book and directed the original Broadway production
- Randy Cohen programmed keyboards for the 2011 revival
- Anderson Cooper played the voice of the narrator for the 2011 revival
- Kevin Covert played Mr. Johnson and the TV announcer and understudied Mr. Twimble/Wally Womper in the 2011 revival
- Darren Criss was a replacement as J. Pierrepont Finch in January 2012 of the 2011 revival
- Walter Cronkite played the voice of the narrator for the 1995 revival
- Jonathan Freeman played Mr. Bratt in the 1995 revival
- Christopher Gattelli was a replacement as one of Biggley's henchmen during the 1995 revival
- Shauna Hicks played Rosemary Pilkington in the 1996 national tour
- Justine Johnston played Miss Jones in the 1966 New York City Center Light Opera production
- Nick Jonas was a replacement as J. Pierrepont Finch from January 24, 2012 through the end of the 2011 revival's run
- Donna McKechnie played a dancer in the original Broadway production
- Megan Mullally played Rosemary Pilkington in the 1995 revival
- Sarah Jessica Parker was a replacement as Rosemary Pilkington during the 1995 revival
- John Stamos was a replacement as J. Pierrepont Finch during the 1995 revival
- Jessica Stone was a replacement as Rosemary Pilkington during the 1995 revival
- Lillias White played Miss Jones in the 1995 revival