What Is It About Brian D'Arcy James

[Valentina3]

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

[RndmAnswrs4RndmQstns]

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.

[JBroadway]

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. 

[Liza's Headband]

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. 

[adamgreer]

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. 

Updated On: 9/19/17 at 09:28 PM

[Valentina3]

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.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 9/19/17 at 12:18am

Valentina. You're welcome. 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJgVpY1UvX8

[broadwaysfguy]

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......

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/19/17 at 6:41am

Untraditionally sexy dad type

Ooodles of talent

Seeming personality to match.

 

What's not to love?

Updated On: 9/19/17 at 06:41 AM

[RndmAnswrs4RndmQstns]

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...)

[Miss Jezebel DuPree2]

Posted: 9/19/17 at 3:51pm

He is wonderful in everything!

[LYLS3637]

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.