The energy in the Marquis theatre was unmatched on Thursday night as eager fans excitedly awaited The Jonas Brothers to take the stage for night 3 of their 5-night Broadway residency.
The Grammy-nominated band made their broadway debut at the iconic Marquis Theatre for a five-night residency in which they dedicated each night to one of their six albums, including Jonas Brothers; A Little Bit Longer; Lines, Vines, and Trying Times; Happiness Begins; and their upcoming release, The Album. The theater, which had previously been home to Beetlejuice, Tootsie, On Your Feet, and more, had never quite experienced a show like this. Over 1,600 adoring fans were packed into the glamorous room as they danced, sang along, and jumped around to the sound of the adored band performing songs that surely reminded them of growing up.
Nostalgia was prevalent all throughout the Marquis on Thursday as the show began with a reading from “The Book,” a memoir that alternated perspectives of Kevin, Nick, and Joe as they recalled what had brought them to this very moment. The night transported the audiences over a decade back to 2009, as it was dedicated to their album Lines, Vines, and Trying Times. The album represented a turning point in the lives of the brothers, and much to fans disappointment, it would be the last Jonas Brothers album for ten years. After this album, the band wouldn’t return until the release of Happiness Begins in 2019.
One of the most significant aspects of Lines, Vines, and Trying Times is the way it marked the Jonas Brothers’ evolution as musicians and songwriters. The album represents a departure from the bubblegum pop sound that characterized their earlier work, with a more mature and sophisticated sound that incorporates elements of country, folk, and even rock music. This shift in style reflects the band’s growing musical interests and their desire to experiment with new genres and sounds. The album deals with themes of love, loss, and perseverance in the face of adversity.
The lyrics are more introspective and personal than those on previous Jonas Brothers albums, with a greater emphasis on storytelling and emotional depth. Songs like World War III and Don’t Charge Me for the Crime deal with issues of conflict and betrayal, while Turn Right and Black Keys explore the complexities of relationships and heartbreak. The fan favorite album also features collaborations with a range of musicians and producers, including Miley Cyrus, rapper Common, and producer John Fields.
The album is widely regarded by fans to be the bands most significant. Beyond its musical and thematic significance, for many it represents a formative moment in their adolescence, a time when they were discovering themselves and their place in the world. If the crowd at the marquis was anything to go off of, the album’s themes of self-discovery, perseverance, and emotional vulnerability continue to resonate with listeners, and its songs continue to be a source of comfort and inspiration for many, even so many years later.
For Nick and Joe, the broadway atmosphere was familiar. Nick had performed Annie Get Your Gun at this very theater, as well as starring in the 2011 revival of How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. Joe performed in La Boheme in 2002. This was Kevin’s broadway debut, but you wouldn’t have known that by witnessing his flawless performance.
The show opened up with a vibrant explosion of light and sound as the band made their way onto the stage to perform World War III. “You can ignore the track list,” Joe joked, referring to the title of each song projected onto the back of the stage. “I know you know it already.”
The first act continued with it’s reminiscent demeanor as the band performed Paranoid, Fly with Me, Poison Ivy, Hey Baby, What Did I Do to Your Heart, Much Better, Black Keys, Turn Right, Don’t Speak, and Keep It Real. The audience didn’t miss a lyric as they sang along, undoubtedly shaking the floor of the Marquis in the process. In true broadway fashion, a fifteen minute intermission was to follow, but it was unlike any intermission we’d seen on broadway before. A DJ took to the stage to play some nostalgic hits and the dancing in the theater did not let up for a minute, even with the lack of the band on stage The vibrant energy of the night simply refused to falter. When the band returned to the stage, it was time for some more modern hits, like What a Man Gotta Do, Jealous and Sucker. Joe was full of excitement as he performed some of his DNCE hits like Cake By The Ocean and Toothbrush.
Throughout the night, Nick continually eluded to the brothers performing for nearly twenty years, and it’s hard to believe how fast time has gone. The Jonas Brothers burst onto the music scene in the mid-2000s, quickly becoming one of the most popular bands of their era. With their catchy hooks, upbeat energy, and wholesome image, the Jonas Brothers won over millions of fans around the world, many of whom were teenagers and young adults at the time. Today, many years later, the Jonas Brothers still hold a special place in the hearts of their fans, promoting nostalgia for a time when life was simpler and more carefree.
Hear all about the residency and The Jonas Brothers here!