Here's David Habbin, who played it on the West End recently. He has a rocky start, then rises to the occasion for the high note.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVeMTRGbZU0
Ant others?
Josh Young
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdw48sO42r4
Meh.
There's more to playing Tony than a high Q above X.
He's GOOD, Colors! He not only sings it, he acts it very well--and gets applause for the b-flat!
he's much better than Josh Groban:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V-VV0WE7A8
I know, besty, but my experience with Bernstein is that he put the note there as the golden ring on the merry-go-round: You only REALLY win if you can grab that ring!
Anyone else is just there for the ride.
I agree, PalJoey. There's so much passion in his voice.
The real question would be who can sing the high note in "Maria" in the intended key? No Tony Bernstein saw, including Kert, could reach the high note he intended, so he changed the key...I think the key was lowered half a step.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
When Kurt Peterson played Tony at Lincoln Center in the late 60's, a group of backstage male voices hit the last note in harmony because he couldn't do it.
He told me that himself.
I'm always stunned by Josh Young's voice. He deserves to be better-known than he is.
In the 1980 revival, Ken Marshall attempted it several times and succeeded a few times, but both Steve Bogardus and Brent Barrett could hit it.
When they did--especially when Lenny was watching--it was gasp-inducingly beautiful.
Obviously Bernstein wrote that note because he hates singers.
I can sing it but I don't look like a Tony wich is why I was cast as Krupke and not Tony. But I can sing it really good.
Can you sing it really well?
That is what they tell me.
They have better grammar than you, then.
I'm usually not a fan of grammar nazis, but that made me laugh.
Swing Joined: 1/26/09
I agree about Josh Young. I've only seen him in concerts, and while his acting is kinda meh, his voice is gorgeous.
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