How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying: Soundtrack from the Musical Comedy

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying: Soundtrack from the Musical Comedy is the cast album for the 50th anniversary Broadway revival of the 1961 musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, which had music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock, and Willie Gilbert, based on Shepherd Mead's 1952 book of the same name. Released digitally on May 31, 2011, and in physical formats on June 7 by Decca Broadway,[1][2] the album featured performances of the musical numbers by the cast, headlined by Daniel Radcliffe and John Larroquette.[3][4] It was nominated for Best Musical Theater Album at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards.[5]

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying: Soundtrack from the Musical Comedy
Cast recording by
ReleasedMay 31, 2011 (digital)
June 7, 2011 (physical)
RecordedApril 10–12, 2011
StudioManhattan Center, New York City
Genre
Length1:13:08
LabelDecca Broadway
ProducerRobert Sher

Background

edit

The original orchestration of the 1961 musical had nearly 27 players, whereas the 2011 revival had 14 players.[6] Rob Ashford, director and stage choreographer had retained more of the reed and brass written at the expense of the strings, being diminished with the augmentation of synth, thus allowing the present-day creative staff to have the show arranged and orchestrated to their own style.[7] Doug Besterman reorchestrated the musical to give it a brand new sound. At the liner notes, the producers felt they decided "to think in terms of a muscular jazz ensemble rather than a symphonic sound". The team found inspiration in the work of 1950s arranger Marty Paich and blendedStereolab's 1993 extended play, Space Age Bachelor Pad Music along with Henry Mancini and Martin Denny's 1957 album Exotica.[7]

Reception

edit

Jon O'Brien of AllMusic wrote "How to Succeed... loses much of its context when stripped of its visual spectacle, but diffusing any reservations about the Harry Potter star's musical ability, this soundtrack is still a charming listen for the army of worldwide theatergoers who haven't had the chance to make up their own minds themselves."[8] Steven Suskin of Playbill wrote "The cast album is different, though; you can very easily compare today's recording with that of yesteryear".[7]

Track listing

edit
No.TitleArtist(s)Length
1."Overture"How To Succeed Orchestra2:26
2."Dear Reader..."Anderson Cooper and Daniel Radcliffe0:39
3."How To Succeed"Daniel Radcliffe and How To Succeed Company2:34
4."Happy To Keep His Dinner Warm"Mary Faber and Rose Hemingway2:43
5."Coffee Break"Christopher Hanke, Mary Faber and Office Workers3:30
6."The Company Way"Daniel Radcliffe and Rob Bartlett2:52
7."The Company Way (Reprise)"Christopher Hanke, Rob Bartlett and Office Workers1:39
8."Rosemary's Philosophy"Rose Hemingway, Daniel Radcliffe and Anderson Cooper0:37
9."Entrance Of Hedy La Rue"Ellen Harvey, John Larroquette, Tammy Blanchard and The Executives0:55
10."A Secretary Is Not A Toy"Mary Faber, Michael Park, The Executives and The Secretaries3:21
11."Been A Long Day"Mary Faber, Rose Hemingway and Daniel Radcliffe3:15
12."Been A Long Day (Reprise)"Christopher Hanke, John Larroquette and Tammy Blanchard1:30
13."Grand Old Ivy"John Larroquette and Daniel Radcliffe3:30
14."Paris Original"Megan Sikora, Rose Hemingway, Ellen Harvey, Mary Faber, Tammy Blanchard and The Secretaries4:01
15."Martini Time"How To Succeed Orchestra0:41
16."Finch Is in Love"Tammy Blanchard and Daniel Radcliffe0:58
17."Rosemary"Daniel Radcliffe and Rose Hemingway3:57
18."Act One Finale"Daniel Radcliffe, Rose Hemingway and Christopher Hanke1:35
19."Entr'acte"How To Succeed Orchestra1:06
20."Cinderella, Darling"Mary Faber and The Secretaries3:48
21."Happy To Keep His Dinner Warm (Reprise)"Rose Hemingway1:00
22."Love From A Heart Of Gold"John Larroquette and Tammy Blanchard2:55
23."The Executive Washroom"Michael Park and The Executives1:38
24."I Believe in You"Daniel Radcliffe and The Executives3:15
25."Pirate Dance"How To Succeed Orchestra1:39
26."I Believe in You (Reprise)"Christopher Hanke, Daniel Radcliffe and Rose Hemingway1:27
27."Brotherhood Of Man"Daniel Radcliffe, Ellen Harvey, John Larroquette, Rob Bartlett and The Executives5:07
28."Finale – The Company Way"How To Succeed Company1:00
29."Bows"How To Succeed Orchestra and How To Succeed Company2:08
30."Exit Music"How To Succeed Orchestra3:45
31."Pirate Dance (Extended Version)"How To Succeed Orchestra3:28
32."I Have Returned"Christopher Hanke0:11

Chart performance

edit

Credits

edit
Performers
Musicians
  • Bass – Neal Caine
  • Drums – Paul Pizzuti
  • Guitar – Scott Kuney
  • Harp – Grace Paradise
  • Horn – David Peel
  • Percussion – Erik Charlston
  • Piano, synth – Matt Perri
  • Reeds – Lawrence Feldman, Mark Thrasher, Steve Kenyon
  • Trombone – George Flynn, John Allred
  • Trumpet – Nicholas Marchione, Scott Wendholt
Production personnel
  • Original music and lyrics – Frank Loesser
  • Producer – Robert Sher
  • Musical assistance – Doug Feltch
  • Engineer – Adam Long
  • Assistant engineer – Johnny Lindamood, Darren Moore, Halsey Quemere, Sheldon Yellowhair
  • Associate engineer – Jason Strangfeld
  • Programming – Randy Cohen
  • Sound mixing and editing – Adam Long, Robert Sher
  • Mastering – Brad Sarno
  • Music co-ordinator – Howard Jones, Jason Buell
  • Music preparation – Anixter Rice Music Service
  • Conductor – David Chase
  • Associate conductor – Matt Perri
  • Stage manager – Pat Sosnow
  • Assistant stage manager – Jim Athens
  • Production stage manager – Michael J. Passaro
  • A&R – Brian Drutman, Evelyn Morgan
  • Music business affairs – Sheryl Gold
  • Liner notes – David Chase, Neil Meron, Craig Zadan
  • Liner note assistant – Abe Burrows
  • Packaging, design and layout – Van Dean
  • Package co-ordinator – Rafaela Hernández
  • Photography – Matthias Clamer, Chris Callis
  • Production photography – Ari Mintz
  • Production director – Obie O'Brien
  • Production assistance – Donald Oliver, Gino Murphy, Mario X. Soto
  • Associate producer – Adam Blanshay, Jason Buell, Scott Kirschenbaum, Gregory Rae
  • Executive producer – Van Dean, Kenny Howard, Barry L. Miller
  • Supervising producer – David Chase, Doug Besterman, Jon Weston
  • Production facilitator – Brandon Wardell
  • Technical advisor – Joel Scheuneman

Source: AllMusic[12]

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ Gioia, Michael (June 9, 2011). "Inside the Cast Recording of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Video)". Playbill. Archived from the original on March 6, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  2. ^ Hetrick, Adam (May 31, 2011). "How to Succeed in Business... Cast Album, With Daniel Radcliffe, Released Digitally May 31". Playbill. Archived from the original on November 28, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  3. ^ Itzkoff, Dave (March 2, 2011). "Now Just a Muggle, With Song and Dance". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  4. ^ Benedictus, Leo (March 29, 2011). "What to say about ... Daniel Radcliffe in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  5. ^ "Complete List of Nominees for the 54th Annual Grammy Awards | E! Online UK". Ca.eonline.com. November 30, 2011. Archived from the original on September 5, 2014. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  6. ^ Suskin, Steven (March 28, 2011). "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying". Variety. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  7. ^ a b c Suskin, Steven (July 10, 2011). "On The Record: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Catch Me If You Can". Playbill. Archived from the original on December 3, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  8. ^ O'Brien, Jon. "Review – How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying [2011 Cast Recording]". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  9. ^ "Billboard 200: Week of June 25, 2011". Billboard. June 25, 2011. Archived from the original on February 21, 2017. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  10. ^ "Cast Albums: Week of June 25, 2011". Billboard. June 25, 2011. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  11. ^ "Billboard Cast Albums – Year-End 2011". Billboard. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  12. ^ "Credits – How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying [2011 Cast Recording]". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  13. ^ Propst, Andy (April 17, 2012). "Nick Jonas' How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying EP Set for May 8 Release". Theater Mania.