I just don’t know how to feel. 

I’ve seen How To Succeed twice. The first was a preview show in March, and it was absolutely fantastic. I really love this show, guys. The second time I saw it was just a few weeks ago, and it was even better. But this time, I watched it trying to imagine how Darren and Nick were going to fill Dan’s shoes.

Dan was great in the role, but it was very Dan. Dan comes out in every performance. Now, I love him, so this is fine. Daniel Radcliffe is without a doubt the hardest working person on Broadway. Every drop of sweat and heaving breath is testament to how much he puts into every show - and he hasn’t missed a show.

When Daniel Radcliffe plays J. Pierrepont Finch, you see a little bit of Dan.

The thing is, Darren Criss IS J. Pierrepont Finch.

I know I’m a pretty diehard Darren fan, but from a standpoint as objective as I can muster, I can tell you right now that Darren is going to NAIL this show. The role is unbelievably perfect, Ponty is a natural fit for him. I won’t lie; I’m a little worried that the dancing is going to be a little much, and we might see too much Darren, in the sloppy oh-silly-me choreography, oops-I-forgot-the-words sense, but I’m hoping he’ll figure it out. Personality wise, I’m already sold on him as the character.

Originally, I was sceptical about Nick Jonas. I’m a Nick Jonas fan. I love the kid. I’ve probably watched every single Jonas Brothers interview that exists on YouTube, and I own his Christian ballad solo album from when he was 11 years old. But I was worried that he didn’t quite have the charm that the role requires and deserves.

Yes, he can sing. Yes, he has plenty of Broadway experience, and I’m sure picked he picked up some dance skills from last summer’s Hairspray gig in LA. But this is Rob Ashford choreography we’re talking about. If you’ve seen the show - especially if you’ve watched Dan - you know that not just any schmuck off the street can perform this. 

But if we get back to the show’s roots, we see a J. Pierrepont who is older and a little bit jaded. There’s a bit of snark to his relationship with Rosemary, and the youthful charm that Dan brought (and Darren will bring) to the role is seen more as sly manipulation. And THAT is what I think we can expect Nick to bring to the role. He’s got a little bit of darker and/or dryer line delivery than the other guys, and he’ll bring out some of the classic Finch that was put aside when the show was first revived.

Dan, Darren, or Nick - everyone should make a trip to W 45th to see this show. The supporting cast is phenomenal, the songs are catchy as all hell, and I’m going to mention the stellar choreography AGAIN just because I love it so much.

(Source: danielle-elizabeth)