The word "Broadway" evokes a certain image in most people's minds. An image of sophistication and high class. Of a time when big-name legends such as Gene Kelly and Judy Garland gave their all on a masterly sculpted proscenium stage. Laughter, the smell of sweet cigar smoke & liquor, and grand theatres also come to mind. What doesn't come to mind? An 18 year-old Disney Channel "star" by the name of Nick Jonas. Yet that is who has been cast to play J. Pierrepont Finch in the hit musical 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying' at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre from January 24 - July 1 of 2012.
My opinion on this? Big mistake. Not because I feel like he doesn't have the talent or experience for this, which I'm quite certain he doesn't, (although between Nick and his two older brothers, he is the only one with a smidgen of talent) but because there are tons of rising stars who fit this role perfectly, waiting patiently to be cast in a Broadway production, and a Jonas brother with very little theatre experience can be cast in the blink of an eye. And I know that some of you might take his side on this and respond with something along the lines of "You can't get anywhere near Broadway without talent so obviously he is a talented and credible performer blah blah troll moan blah." Yeah, I really don't care. Take into account the role he's playing. The lead character Finch is a man of slightly older years. Not very old, but old enough that a person over, say, 20 should be given the part. I would probably have to guess late 20's to mid 30's since it was never really specified. I understand some people view it like "Well high schools do this production all the time and there aren't any people of that age in high school." But that's exactly it. High school is high school, Broadway is Broadway. Now please go back and read the last phrase in quotations in your head with a squeaky mocking voice, if you didn't already. Thanks. Finch is now being played by an 18 year-old kid whose voice still hasn't developed to it's full potential yet. Now, I'm not saying that Nick Jonas doesn't belong on Broadway. He might actually be a fantastic performer in his own right, and I hope he surprises everyone. I'm pretty certain he won't, but I hope he does. I'm absolutely saying though, that he does not nor will he ever belong in 'How to Succeed'.
Yes, Nick does have talent but he's not the kind of talent that I'd want to see. If I were him, I wouldn't be expected to be taken too seriously for being in a teen boy band that's idolized by twelve year olds for singing about a pizza girl. Although I do have to credit him in atleast TRYING to get somewhere. Afterall he came from Disney channel and he kinda set himself up for failure right there, ie: Miley Cyrus. I'm curious to see how this turns out. =P
ReplyDelete--Chloe<3
If you've seen How to Succeed in New York, right off the bat you'll understand it's going to be really hard beating Daniel Radcliffe at his performance. But maybe we shouldn't knock the idea of Nick before we see it. I thought Daniel was going to be terrible on Broadway--primarily, singing and dancing--but maybe even acting too. He was fantastic. Seriously, one of the best productions I've seen. So maybe Jonas will surprise us. Daniel did.
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