Nick Jonas in Rehearsal for HOW TO SUCCEED...

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 1/22/12 at 12:41am

He looks (and sounds) fantastic!

http://www.broadway.com/shows/how-succeed-business-without-really-trying/video/153872/behind-the-scenes-nick-jonas-in-rehearsal-for-how-to-succeed/

[broadwaydevil]

Posted: 1/22/12 at 12:49am

You're right, doesn't sound too bad. His voice has never been particularly strong (Les Mis concert, anyone?) but he's taking over a role that has just been played by Daniel Radcliffe and Darren Criss who didn't exactly set the bar incredibly high.

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 1/22/12 at 12:49am

I am not a fan of Nick Jonas. I haven't much liked him in anything he's been in prior to this. And I had some hope for him in this role, but not very much. However, after watching this clips, I am highly encouraged about his potential as Finch. I think he sounds great vocally (certainly better than the other two who have played this role) and it seems like this is a perfect role for him. I may even return to this production, which I promised myself I'd never do. Color me shocked.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 1/22/12 at 12:57am

There are tickets on TDF for his first week. Guess it's not selling that well.

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/22/12 at 12:59am

Wow. Was not expecting that.

Posted: 1/22/12 at 1:33am

Yes, he actually looks and sounds pretty good in this.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 1/22/12 at 1:56am

"his voice has never been partiularly strong",
actually it has, when he was a boy soprano in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and LES MIZ, he had a beautiful clear voice (why he got those roles). It has def changed but he is very musical and dedicated. Though a bit young for the role, I expect him to surprise and delight in this show.

Updated On: 1/22/12 at 01:56 AM

[SondheimFan5]

Posted: 1/22/12 at 2:52am

I'm intrigued.

[Kad]

Posted: 1/22/12 at 4:03am

I'm a bit curious as to when Robert Morse and Matthew Broderick were considered to have big Broadway voices.

[AADA81]

Posted: 1/22/12 at 5:04am

The role doesn't require a phenomenal vocal ability because it's more of a character part but it does need enough voice to put it across with style. From that brief video, it sounds like Nick Jonas has more than enough ability to hold his own on both counts. And his look is perfect for the part. I think it's great that he's chosen to take this on when he could just coast on the teen idol tide. I wish him well and I think this will be good for the show and all of those involved.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/22/12 at 5:13am

I enjoyed the show with Radcliffe. I saw it twice (once with my kids, and once with my other kids -- my students) -- not particularly interested in seeing it a third. That being said, I'd be MORE willing to conside going if my companion was interested than I suspected I would be with Jonas.

I'm not suprised ticket sales aren't strong. Criss had a very limited run making it a do or die situation if you were going to catch his performance. Since Jonas is there for 6 months, people aren't in as big a rush to catch it right away -- allowing the show to suffer the winter along with most other shows.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 1/22/12 at 9:09am

He sounds great, and that video made me want to see him!

I wonder how his dancing is?

[theaterfangirl]

Posted: 1/22/12 at 9:23am

According to what Rob Bartlett posted on Twitter, "He's dancing like a little Barishnikov. He sings, he dances, he's funny, incredibly nice and charming as hell. I hate him."

Nick's certainly not a trained dancer, and he admits he knew going in that it would be what he would have the most trouble with, but he's been doing dance rehearsals in LA for the show since October, so coming in to the NY rehearsals he'd had at least a couple of months under is belt to try to compensate for that. So I think he'll be OK. Obviously he's not going to be as technical as a trained dancer but I think he'll still be enjoyable.

[broadwaydevil]

Posted: 1/22/12 at 9:26am

Curtain - I found his soprano questionable at best. Obviously he's much older now and isn't singing soprano but I would be lying if I said I had no doubts. Regardless, good luck to him. As I did say, he's looking pretty good in the preview video.

[AC126748]

Posted: 1/22/12 at 9:40am

Wow, he sounds fantastic. I might actually make a trip now. He's not oversinging like he was in LES MIS.

Updated On: 1/22/12 at 09:40 AM

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 1/22/12 at 9:50am

I knew he could act and knew he could sing. My only worry was that he would put on that constipated Les Mis, but thankfully that's been worked on, it seems. I do find it amusing though, how he projects so much air he blows Rose's hair back!

He also fills out those pants nicely. Those Jonas genes strike gold again.

[showchoirguy]

Posted: 1/22/12 at 1:33pm

I thought this would be awful...I am now surprised! I may actually consider going to this as well.

[hyperbole_and_a_half]

Posted: 1/22/12 at 1:38pm

There's too much tension in his lower jaw, it's making his whole head shake when he hits vibrato. I hope that's being worked so he can stay in good voice for the next six months (because he does otherwise sound good in the clip).

[RippedMan]

Posted: 1/22/12 at 1:54pm

How tall is he? Are all the Finch's as short as Daniel Radcliffe?

[AC126748]

Posted: 1/22/12 at 1:58pm

Based on a quick Google:

Radcliffe is 5'5"
Jonas is 5'9"
Criss is somewhere between 5'6" and 5'9" (conflicting reports)

But since Finch was never meant to be conventionally attractive, height really is the last thing to worry about when it comes to a Finch's physical appearance.

Updated On: 1/22/12 at 01:58 PM

[My Oh My]

Posted: 1/22/12 at 2:23pm

Was there ever really any doubt the dude could sing? I mean, come on.

He may have failed in channeling Michael Ball at the Les Mis weenie roast, but I'd never interpret that as no-talent. Maybe if he was an impersonator then I'd heartily agree he failed, er, miserably.

He oversang it (Pats AC126748 on noggin for being only soul to notice that). That's where the apparent constipation comes from and basically everything he gets accused of by the unobservant. XD He gave too much and ended up being accused of giving too little. Any singer knows that giving too much can sometimes give the effect of giving too little, so I don't really blame y'all, even if I do poke fun of you lot.

He was clearly trying to give at least a semblance of a Michael Ball sized performance. He'd have come across much better had he just stuck to being himself. It would have spared all from constipation looks and fake British accents.

But dude CAN siiiiing. :-P

[Jon]

Posted: 1/22/12 at 3:57pm

Robert Morse was (is) 5'7".

[AC126748]

Posted: 1/22/12 at 4:01pm

And MB isn't exactly the tall, dark, handsome type either.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 1/22/12 at 4:02pm

This makes me ill.

[Jon]

Posted: 1/22/12 at 4:07pm

It makes you ill that a young man who has been appearing on Broadway since he was a child got the job as second replacement in a revival of an old show?