Jeffrey Sewell - Defying Gravity

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/25/11 at 2:13pm

I am sure some of you remember this kid's Legally Blonde cover on yotube. He's currently in Seth Rudetsky's Playbill.com column.

I also had Jeffrey Sewell on Seth Speaks. He made a video of himself on youtube singing "So Much Better" that was sent to me by numerous Broadway folks because his singing and acting is amazing. He told me that he made the video just for fun and went to sleep. When he woke up the next day, he expected the views to be in the teens, but he was shocked to see he had 300 views. Then, not much later, it was over 1,000, and now he has an agent and has started auditioning for Broadway shows.

This prompted me to look for some of his youtube videos, and I found his Defying Gravity.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmXEJO7vjY0&feature=channel_video_title

I have nothing against this kid. I do admire his energy and positive spirit. But when will parents start realizing that their 12-year-olds are hurting their voices with all of this forced 'belting'/screaming and straining? It's not healthy for anyone to force their voice like this, especially if they haven't learned any technique yet.
Updated On: 7/25/11 at 02:13 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/25/11 at 2:24pm

His 'Everything's Coming Up Rose'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qctT45MU6lg&feature=channel_video_title

[suttonfoster]

Posted: 7/25/11 at 2:54pm

Haha. This kid's a pistol. Talented, though. From what I've seen in his videos, he says he is starting to take voice lessons, so hopefully that will make it more healthy. He's 11 going on 30

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 7/25/11 at 4:50pm

Aw, this little homo-to-be is adorable. And he's got a better voice than a helluva lot of adults working today. So cute.

Keep singing, kiddo.

[AC126748]

Posted: 7/25/11 at 4:58pm

To paraphrase Sherie Rene Scott: "The kid even sings with a lisp."