What Is It About Brian D'Arcy James
What Is It About Brian D'Arcy James
What Is It About Brian D'Arcy James#1
Posted: 9/18/17 at 6:07pm
My current obsession. I discovered this version when Stephanie J Block referenced it before covering the song in Broadway Backwards earlier this year, and fell in love pretty much instantly. I don't think anyone will ever match Brian's intensity in this song. Anyway, I found it in my library today and have been listening to the album in a loop, highly recommend it to everyone. What memories do you have of seeing the original production starring Brian, Taye Diggs, Idina Menzel, and Julia Murney(!)?
https://youtu.be/F3Wrtlrl2kM
Stand-by Joined: 9/8/17
What Is It About Brian D'Arcy James#2
Posted: 9/18/17 at 9:02pm
I can feel my throat prickling in sympathy when I listen to Make Me Happy. I'm not much of a singer, so the vocals all throughout the recording seem crazy.
What Is It About Brian D'Arcy James#3
Posted: 9/18/17 at 9:10pm
He's wonderful. He has such an effortless voice. I am a singer, and I frequently find myself wanting to emulate him, only to drastically come up short. I always listen to him sing and think "hey, I could sing that song!" only to try, and think "Jesus, that was a lot harder than I thought it would be." He has excellent technique, and I think what makes him stand-out is that he's a tenor, but has the rich timbre of a baritone.
I feel very fortunate to have seen him in Hamilton during previews at the Public. I suppose now that he's doing the role again, it's not as much of a significant claim, but I'll always associate him with that role more than Jonathan Groff.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/28/13
What Is It About Brian D'Arcy James#4
Posted: 9/18/17 at 9:11pm
Valentina, have you heard his vocal performance in "At The Fountain" from SWEET SMELL...? That will surely get you hard. It's pretty unbelievable.
What Is It About Brian D'Arcy James#5
Posted: 9/18/17 at 9:28pm
He's a criminally underused talent. He's got the kind of voice and acting chops that should have him headlining a show pretty much every season
His Dan in next to normal was unbelievable. I enjoyed Bobby Spencer, but Brian D'Arcy James took it to a whole other level. His intensity paired with a deep caring for Diana was unmatched by anyone I've seen play that role. His breakdown scene in that show was agonizing because you really felt for Dan. Had he opened the show on Broadway instead of making the unfortunate decision to do Shrek, he easily would have won the Tony over the children that year.
What Is It About Brian D'Arcy James#6
Posted: 9/19/17 at 12:14am
^ which is why I wanted to see him replace Michael Cerveris in Fun Home had the show lasted longer. His "Edges Of The World" would have been...well, devastating.
I'll have to check it out, Liza.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/28/13
What Is It About Brian D'Arcy James#7
Posted: 9/19/17 at 12:18am
Valentina. You're welcome.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJgVpY1UvX8
What Is It About Brian D'Arcy James#8
Posted: 9/19/17 at 12:37am
liza
big ditto to everything about brian he is wonderful
and especially at the fountain from Sweet Smell of Success
one of the greatest broadway songs ever......
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
What Is It About Brian D'Arcy James#9
Posted: 9/19/17 at 6:41am
Untraditionally sexy dad type
Ooodles of talent
Seeming personality to match.
What's not to love?
Stand-by Joined: 9/8/17
What Is It About Brian D'Arcy James#10
Posted: 9/19/17 at 6:55am
JBroadway said: "I feel very fortunate to have seen him in Hamilton during previews at the Public. I suppose now that he's doing the role again, it's not as much of a significant claim, but I'll always associate him with that role more than Jonathan Groff."
I won the lottery back in June and saw him as the King; he was one of my favorite parts of the show! What a joy to watch live. After sitting on the soundtrack for a year previous, much of the current cast disappointed me slightly (hard to capture OBC magic, I guess? Maybe I was too invested in the show...)
What Is It About Brian D'Arcy James#12
Posted: 9/19/17 at 4:18pm
Miss Jezebel DuPree2 said: "He is wonderful in everything!"
Except SMASH, which was not his fault at all. But yes he is brilliant. From WILD PARTY to SPOTLIGHT, so much talent.
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