Songs from How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying explained

Songs from How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Type:EP
Artist:Nick Jonas
Cover:How-to-Succeed-EP-Nick-Jonas.png
Alt:Cover art for the EP depicting Nick Jonas in a gray suit with a sea-green bow tie. The background features a green scale wallpaper with an hexagonal pattern.
Venue:Al Hirschfeld Theatre, Manhattan Center, New York City, New York
Length:20:16
Label:Broadway
Prev Title:Nicholas Jonas
Prev Year:2005
Next Title:Nick Jonas
Next Year:2014

Songs from How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is the first extended play (EP) by American singer-songwriter Nick Jonas, released on May 8, 2012, through Broadway Records. It was produced by Robert Sher and features guest appearance by Rob Bartlett, Rose Hemingway and Ellen Harvey. All tracks featured on the record were written by American songwriter Frank Loesser, who wrote several Broadway musicals.

The EP was recorded on February 19, 2012, and consists of five songs that Jonas performs on stage, as the protagonist J. Pierrepont Finch, on the Broadway musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Upon release, the record peaked at number three on the US Cast Albums chart on Billboard, where it charted for two weeks.

Critically, the record was complimented for its production, Jonas' vocal performance and the physical release package. To promote the EP, as well as the musical itself, Jonas appeared on some talk shows and public events, giving interviews and performing songs featured on the musical.

Background and development

On September 7, 2011, Nick Jonas was announced to be replacing Daniel Radcliffe[1] as the main protagonist, J. Pierrepont Finch, on the Broadway musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.[2] [3] The singer was set to star in the production starting January 24 until July 1, 2012,[4] [5] right after Darren Criss three-week debut as the character.[6] [7] The musical was performed at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, in New York City,[8] with a total runtime of two hours and forty minutes, including one intermission.[9] The show ran from March 27, 2011 to May 20, 2012, for a total of 30 previews[10] and 473 regular performances.[11] [12]

Before he took the role, Jonas and Radcliffe met and discussed the character, with Jonas going backstage to congratulate Radcliffe after his final performance. Radcliffe returned the favor by attending one of Jonas’ first performances in the musical.[13]

On February 19, 2012, Jonas recorded five songs featured on the musical for a cast soundtrack.[14] [15] The EP was produced by six-time Grammy nominee Robert Sher, who also produced the revival’s cast album, (2011), with Radcliffe as the lead vocalist.[16] Executive production on the record was handled by Van Dean, Kenny Howard, and Ken Mahoney.[17] [18]

On April 17, 2012, the 5-song track list was announced, along with the EP's release date, set for May 8, 2012, through Broadway Records.[19] It was also revealed that Rose Hemingway, Rob Bartlett and Ellen Harvey, who also starred alongside Jonas on the musical, would be featured in some of the tracks.[20] Prior to the EP's release, the song "I Believe in You" was released online, on April 30, 2012.[21]

Promotion

On January 26, 2012, Jonas appeared on the morning talk show Live! with Kelly to talk about his role as J. Pierrepont Finch in the revival of How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying.[22] There he performed the song "I Believe In You".[23] On February 14, the singer performed the song again for the Soundcheck live chat show.[24] [25]

Jonas performed on the first night of the annual Broadway Week on the Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, on February 20, 2012.[26] He closed the show by singing a jazz rendition of “I Believe in You,” a signature song from the classic Frank Loesser musical.[27] On March 31, 2012, the singer performed songs from the musical alongside cast members during The Inner Circles Talent Show.[28] [29] The performance was part of a charity gala promoted by the then-Mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg.[30] [31]

For his performance as the protagonist of the musical, J. Pierrepont Finch, Jonas was honored during the 2012 Broadway Beacon Awards, which was held by Inside Broadway on June 4, 2012.[32] [33]

Commercial performance and reception

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying debuted at number three on the Billboard US Cast Albums chart.[34] On its second week, the EP dropped to number nine, before departing the chart.[35]

The EP received positive reviews from critics. Andy Propst of Theater Mania was impressed by Jonas voice on the recording, writing that the singer was able to bring elements to the character that perfectly complemented the song's production as well as the guest vocalists, the narrator—Anderson Cooper, and Rob Bartlett. Propst also positively noted that the EP physical release comes with a "first-class package with a full color booklet, chock-full of photographs that’s worthy of a full-length cast recording".[36]

Writing for Review Graveyard, Ian Gude gave the EP a 10 grade, stating that he enjoyed the listening experience of the record, which made him want to hear more from Jonas. He complimented the production and vocal performances, and felt that it "would be great to hear [Nick Jonas] do a Broadway album, or songs from the Great American Songbook", as the singer "has the voice, and the intelligence, to give them the treatments they deserve". On the EP's design and package production, the critic was very pleased and stated that it was "top notch", comparing it to a quality level that even full recordings sometimes lack.[37]

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the EP's liner notes.[38]

Musicians

Production

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormat(s)Label
United StatesMay 8, 2012CDBroadway Records[40]
Canada
Various[41]

Notes and References

  1. Nick Jonas Replacing Daniel Radcliffe on Broadway . Kennedy . Mark . . September 7, 2011 . August 25, 2024 .
  2. Web site: Nick Jonas Replacing Daniel Radcliffe In 'How To Succeed In Business' . Fleming . Mike Jr. . . September 7, 2011 . August 31, 2024 .
  3. Undercover Brother . Raftery . Brian . . subscription . January 20, 2012 . August 31, 2024 .
  4. Nick Jonas to Replace Daniel Radcliffe on Broadway . Perpetua . Matthew . . subscription . September 8, 2011 . August 25, 2024 .
  5. Nick Jonas to star in 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying' . Geier . Thom . . September 7, 2011 . August 31, 2024 .
  6. News: 'How to Succeed,' starring Nick Jonas, to close on Broadway . Ng . David . . May 9, 2012 . August 31, 2024 .
  7. 'Glee's' Darren Criss to Replace Daniel Radcliffe On Broadway . Schillaci . Sophie . . August 1, 2011 . August 31, 2024 .
  8. Web site: Nick Jonas Begins Run as J. Pierrepont Finch in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying . . Broadway.com . January 24, 2012 . September 1, 2024 .
  9. Web site: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying . . Theater Mania . April 17, 2012 . August 31, 2024 .
  10. Web site: Broadway's How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying to Close on May 20 . Lipton . Brian Scott . Theater Mania . May 8, 2012 . August 31, 2024 .
  11. News: 'How to Succeed,' starring Nick Jonas, to close on Broadway . Ng . David . . May 9, 2012 . August 31, 2024 .
  12. Web site: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Starring Nick Jonas, to End Broadway Run . . Broadway.com . May 8, 2012 . August 31, 2024 .
  13. News: Singer Nick Jonas learns to succeed in Broadway 'Business' . Kennedy . Mark . . February 28, 2012 . September 2, 2024 .
  14. Nick Jonas Records 'How to Succeed' Cast Album . . . November 5, 2019 . September 2, 2024 .
  15. Web site: Nick Jonas Records How to Succeed Album Aimed for Spring Release . . Broadway.com . February 21, 2012 . August 31, 2024 .
  16. Web site: How to Succeed in Business... Cast Album, With Daniel Radcliffe, Released Digitally May 31 . Hetrick . Adam . . May 31, 2011 . August 31, 2024 .
  17. Web site: Nick Jonas to Be Featured on How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying Cast Album EP . Propst . Andy . Theater Mania . February 21, 2012 . August 31, 2024 .
  18. Web site: How to Succeed... Cast Album EP With Nick Jonas Due This Spring . Hetrick . Adam . . February 21, 2012 . September 2, 2024 .
  19. Web site: Nick Jonas' How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying EP Set for May 8 Release . Propst . Andy . Theater Mania . April 17, 2012 . August 31, 2024 .
  20. Web site: Release Date Set for Nick Jonas' How to Succeed EP Recording . . Broadway.com . April 17, 2012 . August 31, 2024 .
  21. Web site: Hear Nick Jonas Sing 'I Believe in You' From New How to Succeed EP . . Broadway.com . April 30, 2012 . August 31, 2024 .
  22. Web site: The Screening Room: How to Succeed's Nick Jonas Visits "Live! With Kelly" (Video) . Gioia . Michael . . January 26, 2012 . August 25, 2024 .
  23. Web site: Watch 'Delicious Smelling' How to Succeed Star Nick Jonas Croon on Live! With Kelly . Broadway.com Staff . Broadway.com . January 26, 2012 . August 25, 2024 .
  24. Web site: Stage Tube: Nick Jonas Sings 'I Believe In You' Live on Soundcheck Talk Show . Harding . James T. . . February 14, 2012 . August 25, 2024 .
  25. Web site: Watch How to Succeed Star Nick Jonas Sing 'I Believe in You' on Soundcheck . . Broadway.com . February 14, 2012 . August 31, 2024 .
  26. News: Nick Jonas to kick off Broadway Week on 'Jimmy Fallon' . . . subscription . February 17, 2012 . August 31, 2024 .
  27. Web site: How to Succeed Star Nick Jonas Kicks Off Broadway Week on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon . Broadway.com Staff . Broadway.com . February 21, 2012 . August 25, 2024 .
  28. Web site: How to Succeed: Inner Circle's Media Stars Poke Fun at Newsmakers for Charity . Madden . Jennifer . Woman Around Town . April 11, 2012 . April 11, 2012 .
  29. Web site: "Preoccupied" and Mayor Mike Star in Inner Circle Spectacular . . Inner Circle Show . April 1, 2012 . August 25, 2024 .
  30. Web site: Photos, Video: Mayor Bloomberg Sings With Nick Jonas, Beau Bridges At Inner Circle Show . Chung . Jen . . subscription . April 1, 2012 . August 25, 2024 .
  31. Web site: NYC Mayor Bloomberg Gives Nick Jonas a Lesson in How to Succeed at Inner Circle Talent Show . Broadway.com Staff . Broadway.com . March 31, 2012 . August 25, 2024 .
  32. Web site: Nick Jonas and Christie Brinkley Honored at Inside Broadway's 2012 Broadway Beacon Awards June 4 . Gioia . Michael . . June 4, 2012 . August 25, 2024 .
  33. Web site: Nick Jonas, Christie Brinkley and More to Be Honored at 2012 Broadway Beacon Awards . Denette . Kelsey . . April 25, 2012 . August 25, 2024 .
  34. Billboard Cast Albums: May 26, 2012 . . subscription . May 26, 2012 . August 24, 2024 .
  35. Billboard Cast Albums: June 2, 2012 . . subscription . June 2, 2012 . August 24, 2024 .
  36. Web site: Nick Jonas’ How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying EP . Propst . Andy . Theater Mania . May 8, 2012 . August 31, 2024 .
  37. Web site: Music Review - Songs from How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying (EP) . Gude . Ian . Review Graveyard . May 8, 2012 . August 25, 2024 .
  38. Songs from How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying . 2012 . . United States . Booklet . BR-CD00212E .
  39. Billboard Chart History: Nick Jonas . . May 26, 2012 . August 24, 2024 .
  40. Songs from How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying physical release formats:
  41. Songs from How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying digital release formats:

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