Gary Beach in La Cage

[broadwayman]

Posted: 11/27/04 at 8:57pm

I know the cd hasnt been recorded or released, but does anyone have a copy of Gary Beach singing, "I Am What I Am"? I suddenly became obsessed with that song!

Thanx

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/27/04 at 9:03pm

i dont, but he was remarkable last night, considering the long pause in act 1

[broadwayman]

Posted: 11/27/04 at 9:05pm

awesome!
How is he when he sings "I Am What I Am"?

And how was the understudy? I think its so sad for Daniel Davis, because his birthday was the day before, November 26. So he was prob. sick on his bday.

[Mythus]

Posted: 11/27/04 at 9:06pm

I don't know why anyone would have a copy of him singing it...unless it was illegal... *coughs*

He is so incredible in that song. Especially in the part right before, when he starts dancing with the Cagelles and just...can't keep going. Incredible.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/27/04 at 9:47pm

gary was great, like he was in the producers, all 4 times i saw him. i gotta give props to the understudy, john hillner, who stepped into it in the middle of the show, with no rehearsal at all. you could hear him going over the dances during harveys little speech and during the intermission

[Tommycanuhearme]

Posted: 11/27/04 at 11:05pm

Gary is doing an absolutely fantastic job with "I Am What I Am". For all of us who saw the original production, George Hearn's lilting baritone voice seemed to completely engulf this number. The drama came in the way in which Hearn started this song with low almost gutteral tones. Which then continues to build and build, and then finally errupts at the conclusion of the number. When previews began, Beach was trying to hit the low notes. To his credit, I think that he(or someone)has realized that with his tenor voice a different approach is needed. There has been a slight change to the vocal metering of the song. Which gives the audience a look at a much more passionate "Albin" as he is acting and reacting to the lyrics as they are being sung. Having seen the show several times; and seeing this number evolve has truly been a wonderful experience.

[Dolly_Levi]

Posted: 11/28/04 at 1:54am

Tommy, can you elaborate further about the changes in "I Am What I Am"? I was hoping that they would raise the key slightly to let Gary really blow the roof off. But I could see acting through the beginning then building to a sing-y climax. I just adore Gary and think his voice is amazing. Can't wait to see him in Jan.

[Tommycanuhearme]

Posted: 11/28/04 at 5:26am

The metering changes take nothing away from the overall pace of the song. It still gradually builds to an explosive climax. There is no question that Beach does get "to blow the roof off". However, it now seems to be a much more passionate and intense journey to reach that point. For most individuals who are familiar with the show, this song is a highly anticipated moment, and the one most identified with Hearn's original performance. So, even though the comparison to Hearn is inevitable. It seems that Beach is attempting to make this moment uniquely his own. Which is as it should be.

[Dolly_Levi]

Posted: 11/28/04 at 8:54pm

Tommy
Thanks for your response. Good to hear.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/28/04 at 8:59pm

my one problem with it is that they havent raised the key for gary, so hes singing what hearn sang...hearn's voice is distinctly deeper than gary's....

[stacey717]

Posted: 11/28/04 at 10:09pm

"they havent raised the key for gary, so hes singing what hearn sang."

I had read about this before going to see the show (some said he struggled with the low notes) and when I saw the show on Saturday I realized this is true (there was one note that was hit, very low in the song where I actually noticed this difference). I loved it anyway (and especially the lead in where he just can't go on--brilliant)

However, I see this struggle to hit the lowest note (s...but I only realllly noticed one) as a possible aspect such that Albin is so overwhelmed and overcome with emotion he struggles through to sing it anyway, low note and all..he feels he just has to as his emotions swayed him there and forced him to sing the note...any thoughts?

I understand it at first may have been just a range difficulty, but it does work as characterization....

[Mythus]

Posted: 11/30/04 at 3:05pm

I agree, Stacey. It's definitely a musical struggle for Albin, because he's just been ostracized from his family, and there's just this overwhelming need to sing the song. When I saw it, Gary threw himself into the song, and I was crying nearly the whole time. He started going to fast somewhere in the middle, but quickly recovered. I don't know why, but that only added to the moment. He was so overcome, and he...he just needed to sing that song, whether or not it was in a comfortable key or whether or not he could keep the pace.

I'm so inarticulate today, but does anyone get what I mean?

[stacey717]

Posted: 11/30/04 at 4:06pm

Exactly.

("I'm so inarticulate today, but does anyone get what I mean? "--Obviously, yes:)--exactly what I was trying to say!)