Jason Raize :(

#1

Jason Raize :(

Posted: 4/7/05 at 9:05pm

Ok, so I downloaded "Endless Night" from The Lion King onto my iPod today (gorgeous song) and I thought Jason Raize's voice was so beautiful so I decided that I would look him up and find out more about him, and I just went to a website that said he killed himself last year! I'm sure this isn't news to anyone but me, but that is so sad! Such an amazing voice and he was so gorgeous. Poor guy, I hope he feels better wherever he is now.

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If you want to know what God thinks of money, just look at the people he gave it to. -Dorothy Parker

#2

re: Jason Raize :(

Posted: 4/7/05 at 9:16pm

Yes, It was so sad to hear this last year. He did have an amazing voice.

#3

re: Jason Raize :(

Posted: 4/7/05 at 10:16pm

he was in Australia when he did it. I wonder why

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"Do you know what pledge time is, Andrew"? said the PBS Executive. "Yes", Lloyd Webber replied. "My 50th birthday special must be one program that gets done a lot." "No", mused the man from PBS heedlessy. "Not so much. Our Stephen Sondheim Carnegie Hall concert. That's a big one." Spoons, forks and knives seemed suddenly to suspend their motion in horror, all around the table.

#4

re: Jason Raize :(

Posted: 4/7/05 at 10:24pm

Jason Raize was ridiculously talented. His suicide was such a tragedy and a great loss to the theatre community. I get sad whenever I listen to my "The Lion King" OBCR.

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"Goodness is rewarded. Hope is guaranteed. Laughter builds strong bones. Right will intercede. Things you've said I often find I need, indeed. I see the world through your eyes. What's black and white is colorized. The knowledge you most dearly prized I'm eager to employ. You said that life has infinite joys."

#5

re: Jason Raize :(

Posted: 4/7/05 at 11:13pm

"Poor guy, I hope he feels better wherever he is now."

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!

#6

re: Jason Raize :(

Posted: 4/7/05 at 11:17pm

Why the HELL is that funny?

As someone who has lost someone close to me to suicide and very nearly lost another, I can't for the life of me understand what you found funny about that.

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"The theater is my life. I live it. I breathe it. I fondle it till it falls asleep." Jack (Will And Grace) http://feathah.blogspot.com

#7

re: Jason Raize :(

Posted: 4/7/05 at 11:21pm

just ignore him bronx likes to stir things up.

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#8

re: Jason Raize :(

Posted: 4/7/05 at 11:22pm

You're right bwaybaby - just got under my skin. Grrrr...

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"The theater is my life. I live it. I breathe it. I fondle it till it falls asleep." Jack (Will And Grace) http://feathah.blogspot.com

#9

re: Jason Raize :(

Posted: 4/8/05 at 1:15am

"Poor guy, I hope he feels better wherever he is now."

I'm sorry but the comment almost sounds pro-suicide.

#10

re: Jason Raize :(

Posted: 4/8/05 at 1:27am

His death was a great loss to the theatre community and listening to "Endless Night" is definitely different from what it was several months previous to his death. Still a great song and memory of a good performer.

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"The weight of this sad time we must obey, Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say. The oldest hath borne most; we that are young Shall never see so much, nor live so long"-Edgar in King Lear

#11

re: Jason Raize :(

Posted: 4/8/05 at 3:02am

Did anyone ever find out why he did it? He didn't leave a note or anything? That sucks...

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You are young, life has been kind to you. You will learn.

#12

re: Jason Raize :(

Posted: 4/8/05 at 8:29am

I heard he had a drug problem -- he became addicted to methamphetamines.

#13

re: Jason Raize :(

Posted: 4/8/05 at 10:01am

Its such a tragedy when someone decides to take their own life. The Theater community lost a great member.

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"All the while making faces like a baby platypus who forget to take some Beano before eating a chimichanga." FindingNamo in reference to Jessica Simpson's singing.

#14

re: Jason Raize :(

Posted: 4/8/05 at 10:45am

It's a total shame. He was talented, cute, and easily the only thing in The Lion King that held my attention.

#15

re: Jason Raize :(

Posted: 4/8/05 at 10:48am

Anyone remember his Disney in concert special with Jessica Simpson, when he was trying to launch a pop career? I do. I still have his cover of "You win again" on my computer. I agree though, his "Endless Night" is stunning.

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There's always room for pathos - and jazz hands.

#16

re: Jason Raize :(

Posted: 4/8/05 at 11:08am

#17

re: Jason Raize :(

Posted: 4/8/05 at 1:00pm

He had the most adorable smile...

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"All the while making faces like a baby platypus who forget to take some Beano before eating a chimichanga." FindingNamo in reference to Jessica Simpson's singing.

#18

re: Jason Raize :(

Posted: 4/8/05 at 3:14pm

>>I'm sorry but the comment almost sounds pro-suicide.

Well, it most certainly wasn't. When someone takes their own life than it's obviously because they had major problems going on that really sucked. I'm not saying that what he did was good or necessary, I was just saying that he did it and there is nothing that can be done about it now so I just pray that he has found some kind of peace and is away from the problems he had while he was on this earth.

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If you want to know what God thinks of money, just look at the people he gave it to. -Dorothy Parker

Updated On: 4/8/05 at 03:14 PM

#19

re: Jason Raize :(

Posted: 4/8/05 at 3:43pm

I have his two singles that he released..
I have them on cds in the car so I can listen to them. I enjoy them. It is a shame he passed so early in life.

#20

re: Jason Raize :(

Posted: 4/8/05 at 3:46pm

Bronx- you may be annoying, but I never knew you were so cold hearted.

Updated On: 4/8/05 at 03:46 PM

#21

re: Jason Raize :(

Posted: 4/8/05 at 3:51pm

A year ago today, April 8th, we celebrated the life of Jason Raize @ The New Amsterdam Theatre. It gave family, friends and fans a chance to gain some closure. Photos were displayed of Jason throughout his life, speeches were given by friends and family, songs were sung. His death brought sadness to all of us, but his work was inspiring. His absence in the theatre community will in my opinion always be felt. Hopefully Jason will be remembered for the positive mark he left on the world and in our hearts and not for the way we lost him. I will forever miss his smile.

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"Candy is dandy but liquor is quicker" -- Willy Wonka

#22

re: Jason Raize :(

Posted: 4/8/05 at 4:02pm

Thanks for sharing TheatreManiac. Jason had an absolutely radiant smile.

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Hey Dottie! Did your colleagues enjoy the cake even though your cat decided to sit on it? ~GuyfromGermany

#23

re: Jason Raize :(

Posted: 4/8/05 at 4:25pm

He was so amzingly attractive!

I saw him in Lion King WELL into the run- I think it might have been his second run in it even- and I was amazed at how thoroughly he threw himself into the part. He was so enthusiatic!

#24

re: Jason Raize :(

Posted: 4/8/05 at 5:33pm

I remember going to work on campus, sitting down to check playbill.com as usual. Scrolling through the headlines, I check "this" and "that." I could not believe my eyes when I read the article. In regards to his pop-career, I remember the article mentioning that he was quite disappointed in the progress/status. I was really sorry to read that. It's just really unfortunate.

#25

re: Jason Raize :(

Posted: 4/8/05 at 9:22pm

If you can get a hold of Jason's unreleased CD labeled, "Transitions" (on eBay) -- there a quite a few good songs on there.

Jason also did a cover of The Sounds of Silence on the Paul Simon album. It's chilling.

You know how it goes though, it's not always about talent.

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"Candy is dandy but liquor is quicker" -- Willy Wonka