West Side Story Revival - Something's Coming (02.25.09)

[ProblemStick]

HE IS SO GOOD.

[AOG93]

Why are people complaining about the vibrato? What qualifications do you have? Can you read a score? Do you anything about music, really? Stop acting as the conoscenti. For me, his voice isn't too much to my liking... it's not just his vibrato, but it sometimes does tend to spread a bit... anyways, he did sing with musicality & taste. For me, a good Tony.

[yquityeriutywieuryti]

He is hot.

[WEEZERman1212]

i love the vibrato. vibrato is what naturally occurs when a healthy sound is present. this just sounds so full and delightful. and my god listen to that last note... people are hating and I DONT LIKE IT!

[xXxROADxKILLxXx]

I agree with the too much vibrato and it's all too staccato as well :| Don't like it at all *sigh* His voice isn't bad, but his performance of this song, especially since it's so popular and well sung to begin with, isn't good enough.

[kayandkaycorp13]

Too much vibrato.

[JudefckingRambo]

He's wonderful.

[beanielandschool]

darren criss is better!!!

[peachy557]

The guy got solid reviews. Like, really solid. I've seen him live, and he's incredible. And @r00tbeerluver it's so true. Who decided how Tony is supposed to sound? And his vibrato is incredible. Having a vibrato like that AND having the control Cavenaugh has isn't something you just have. You work at it and he's good. End of story.

[HikariDragonRyuu]

@peachy557 ...were you reading the same reviews I was? I believe he was called bland more than once...

[r00tbeerluver]

@isyou What the matter with being gay? He doesn't even sound it! I would honestly like to hear you sing better. If thats not how tony is supposed to sound why don't you do it better

[Lateral0Thinking]

Bernstein would go apeshit

[Hairspray1234]

@isyou

shut the hell up. first of all he does not sound gay and he's not even gay in real life. not to mention your opinions on his voice are totally incorrect. can u try and sound intelligent when your proving a point that is false. i mean really "terrible voice when he tries to keep on the same note"? really? so sick of these TEENAGE BROADWAY FANS!!

[Lateral0Thinking]

@Hairspray1234 The vibrato is pretty shite to be honest.

[IAMCitizenJoe]

This couldn't possibly be on Broadway, could it?

[DongleKumquat]

GAAAHHHH i HATE that vibrato.

[TsalagiAgvnage]

Oh my God!!!!! This guy is not a very good Tony. He is too nasal and even my gay self must say it... Too queeny sounding to be a strong Tony, the doesn't have the smoothness one usually hears with it... On the other hand Just because he is not a good Tony, doesn't make him a bad singer. He just does not fit the role vocally!

[TimmothyBrown]

he has a good voice but why wont he sustain a note at the begins?

[Deezie3]

i think he belts a little too much. Just my opinion on it

[MrJetaime555]

i think the vibrato came with the revival because the tony i saw (someone harris) has vibrato like 100% of the time. I personally loved it and it gave me chills . Though this guy is ten million times better.

[beatlemaniac487]

I LOVE HIS VOICE. Vibratto doesn't annoy me.

[samueljackson14]

This guys voice is incredible!!!!! The high A at the end is fantasticallly welll sung even if it's not in the score, it's called making it your own....

[Navonodo]

if anyone is doubt of the high "A", why don't you be smart and reference the actual SCORE to settle your ridiculous arguments.

[writechance]

vibrato much? yikes.

[mdcam89]

The high A is completely inappropriate at the end... Bernstein didn't write it.

[Toxicology5]

@mdcam89 well i'm not entirely sure what you mean, Bernstein did write a high A in the movie version of the music, although not in full voice, Matt was probably told he had to do it in full voice in order to project it when performing live.

[mdcam89]

@Toxicology5 I just think its so inappropriate to end this piece with a huge belted high "A"--- I'm not quite sure Bernstein wrote the high "A" in the movie version or whether the producers of the movie took it upon themselves to add it. That would be interesting to research. All I know for a fact is that in his score, Bernstein writes "fading away" at the end of this piece, which is what I believe he wanted.

[homeystary1]

actually, I'm in a production of West Side Story, and Bernstein did, in fact, write the high A at the end. And so everyone knows, the 2009 revival is directed by none other than Arthur Laurents, one of the four brilliant minds who conceived West Side Story in the first place. I'm pretty sure he knows what is faithful to the original production, and also what Robbins, Bernstein, and Sondheim would want. And, personally, I've warmed up to Matt Cavenaugh's (incredibly skillful) singing.

[mdcam89]

@homeystary1 what music are you looking at?.. I own the full score and there is no high A to be found...

[mdcam89]

@homeystary1 and furthermore--- there is never any guarantee that any of us knows what Bernstein would have wanted- and we really can't ask him now, can we? All we have is what he wrote. Also- the ONLY time Bernstein conducted West Side Story was in 1985 with Kiri Te Kanawa, Jose Carreras,etc... and there was no High A at the end of that recording.

[PIRATELOVER1614]

His voice isn't bad, but I don't think West Side Story when I hear this. It's off in a way that I can't explain.

[markmywords21]

Kinda upset because I've now been told that casting directors don't want to hear this unless you do the full voiced A at the end instead of falsettoing it like the original. Hitting that note would be a crap-shoot for me

[someone481]

Theres nothing wrong with his voice, its just mediocre for Broadway. It would be good for a regional production, but his pacing is weird and he sounds like a bad opera singer, and just listening to him I don't feel anything, theres no emotion :(

[meginmd]

This whole song is off. Weird pacing. Weird voice.

[romerofosho]

He's hot. I'd do him.

[TheMaestroBrad]

I don't know where Sondheim, et all get the gall to make drastic changes to the music (i.e. "Safe" and "flaccid" tempi, Spanish lyrics sung against English lyrics (sloppy!), random fermati in "Me Siento Hermosa" (R.I.P. "I Feel Pretty"...), useless cuts in the Ballet Sequence, etc.). This is just abominable; Unforgivable.

[Pattinson011]

what the heck is wrong with his voice!!!!

[mezzanineview]

what are people complaining about? He's got a voice, dang

[xMarkmywords]

Did they transpose this for the revival? It seems REALLY high. Also, this guy is so hot it almost makes me nervous. Voice is kinda average, though.

[MWBoen]

He's the reason I wouldn't recommend that show to friends and family visiting NYC. And he doesn't sound as bad this night as he did when I saw him early on in the run.

I haven't heard anything about the new guy(s) who've replaced him.

[rentliveson4life]

yo stop bullshitting i think he is awsome come on give him a break

[jesussierrra]

He IS ON BROADWAY?! i guess any one can make it now a days...

[SteAndKel]

why is everyone slagging him off? this sounds fantastic!

[isyou]

@SteAndKel he sounds gay,

terrible voice when he tries to keep on the same note,

he sounds gay,

sudden tone changes,

and did i mention he sounds TERRIBLY gay? that's not how tony is supposed to sound!

[beyourselftonight]

I was so disappointed. For the love of God SING THE SONG! He's so breathy. And his spoken lines come out like Captain Kirk does Broadway.

The other stars of this production ROCK but I just wanted to rush the stage and sing the part of Tony for him. He made me angry through the whole show. And he SMIRKED through every scene. Riff dies and he smirks. Marie is killed by Chino, and he smirks.

Now the ladies were great. The JETS & SHARKS were amazing. Recast Tony.

[Ponyboyluvr0228]

I met him. And he was amazing. And HOT. lol :)

[Scott3843]

Damn, I wish I saw Matt Cavenaugh in this role. I saw his understudy, and while that guy gave a good effort, he was completely lackluster and forgettable. He had absolutely no charisma nor chemistry with Josefina Scaglione's Maria. Cavenaugh, whom I've seen a few times in other Broadway shows, was missed. I'll be seeing it again soon, and hopefully MC will be back. (Oh, and I also saw Cody Green's understudy -- who now officially has the role -- and he was EXCELLENT as Riff.

[tiptoegirl98]

OMG!!! I saw his stand in and Cody Green was gone when I saw it and Riff was pretty good but Tony was really bad.... this scene should've been 5 minutes and it was like... 10 minutes... they took SO long!!!!!

[MalloryHoffman]

His vibrato is so obnoxious, its just painful to listen to. good range, but not a good tone.

[SavealltheWhales]

I totally agree. I saw him on Broadway and I have to it admit it was pretty awful whenever he sung X-(

[invaderzim1414]

one of my fave showtunes :)

[jondavwal]

I saw him and I saw his cover 2 weeks later. His cover was way better. WAAAAAAY better.

[machinegunvibrato]

if you all really hate him that much then don't click the link to this video =]

[rossmcl177]

Absolutely!!! Alternatively, if you dont like his voice just turn down the sound and look atr his pic. That's good enough for me! :))

[ngoldman150]

Saw the production last Sunday. He's nice to look at but until he opens his mouth for his higher register his voice is way too nasal. Found it very distracting.

[tommytune79]

I think you're all right....technically there are a few less than perfect moments....I do think they are all choices, and you may agree or disagree with them. I think they are strong choices. Tony is much more likeable when he's not perfect. A few flaws in the technical delivery of this DIFFICULT music make him sound young, naive, vulnerable, likeable...whereas I think Maria needs technical precision to sound angelic, perfect....the contrast of the two voices make the love story stronger.

[hotqueekboi]

Personally I quite like the interpretation. Not all the versions of Tony should sound the same. I think he also makes great use of forte and pianissimo here. Some versions are just all too strong.

[ilovesinging1202]

Excuse me, he is amazing. He is just interpreting Tony in is own unique way. I'd personally be bored out of my mind if I heard a copycat-verison. I just saw he as Tony and he blew me away. He made everyone in that production extremely proud!

[JohnDEldridge]

Not only does his voice completely not suit the part, I really don't care for a lot of the interpretational things done with this... he cuts off all the long notes in the verses, especially right at the beginning ("Could BE!", as opposed to "Could beeee...."). I don't know if he just couldn't hold them or didn't want to, but it sounds awful. And I hate the rearranged ending, with the high note and the stinger... Bernstein wrote a vamp and fade to build intensity, and this ruins his intentions.

[emarloo]

i actually like how he cuts off could be and then holds who knows for longer

i like his voice

he's good

[beyourselftonight]

@JohnDEldridge YES! He can't sustain a note to save him! For the love of GOD, someone teach this guy to SING!

[TheMaestroBrad]

@JohnDEldridge Actually I have a copy of Lenny's manuscript and he did include this coda for the original production as an ossia. This production seems to be taking a lot of alternatives with the music--almost excessively. I agree, I don't think Lenny would approve; He was quite the perfectionist. He would never have let it been performed had it not been to his liking.

[BELTSANDBUCKLES]

He is talented but the real reason they picked him was because he is beautiful. He's incredibly attractive and decently talented. There are many better people out there but they must have just wanted someone that can show off their muscles too

[jazrosesan92]

and by Maria, I meant the song Maria. Also, to those saying that his voice does not sound like that of gang leader, no offence, but would a typical gang leader ever be singing a song like Something's Coming?

[Selendomono]

no but they would most certainly be thinking about something coming. and besides none of the characters in the musical would sing in real life. thats why its broadway magical!

[jazrosesan92]

I think although his voice may not be best suited for this song (which I actually like), his voice is perfect for Maria.

[Mjpfan31]

he is terrible

[boobiesandco]

he ruined the show for me. what a horrible casting mistake.

he's clearly very talented, but his voice is so feminine and nasal and absolutely not the voice of the leader of a gang. it was actually humorous watching him prance around the stage with maria like he was her gay best friend, rather than her love interest. not good. so disappointing.

[alemerent]

Couldn't agree more. What in God's name were they thinking?!

[beyourselftonight]

@boobiesandco I agree with you. I was angry through the whole show after he came on and did Tonight. I just wanted to jump on stage and show him how to sing the songs!

[beyourselftonight]

@boobiesandco And did you notice during the duets he would sing into her mouth like he didn't know the kiss was over and he should turn slightly to the audience?

[StarlitMasquerade]

Yes, just b/c u get to broadway doesn't mean thet ur spectacular. But when you can land a lead role and you're not an understudy...that says something. And I'm sorry, vibrato isn't necessarily good for his character, but Matt kinda wants to have a career after this so he needs to have a good voice. Which means he shouldn't belt. Also, look at who the director is and who came up with the concept for the new version. One of the guys who worked on the original. He knows what he's doing.

[JohnDEldridge]

Arthur Laurents didn't write the score. Genius, but not a musician... I guarantee you he had little, if anything, to do with vocal selection. Cavenaugh probably read well for Tony, which is why they took him. His voice is not suited for this role at all; it has nothing to do with vibrato (which by all means he should use but can't seem to figure out) or belting (which is out of the question for any and all characters... this is a classical show, the term "belt" wasn't even around in 1957).

[jbup2it]

Are you absolutely sure Anita shouldn't borderline be belting? Maybe I think more contemporary, but I couldn't imagine Anita going classical on her vocals. Belting to me sounds more characteristic of the role. Just a thought.

[blackpython]

I like this a lot better than most people, but then again, I like Matt Cavenaugh. I think people who were previously fans of Matt Cavenaugh will like this, but otherwise it doesn't seem like many people love this. I like the last note, just because it's impressive and I like the tone, not because it's appropriate for the scene or added anything to the performance.

[jtcarey2]

I can't get over all the criticism of his vibrato.  He is one of the very few young people on Broadway who sing with healthy technique.

[broadwayadict]

its not that other people are singing with improper technique its that his particular voice has a very strong quick vibrato which to many people doesnt really fit a guy who grew up on the west side during that time period

[jondavwal]

He has the same problem a lot of broadway singers have, all technique, no real voice. Someone with a healthy technique AND a beautiful voice would be Gavin Creel, who stars in Hair.

[broadwayboundguy]

I agree... with your remark on Gavin Creel. He is one of the best things to happen to Broadway theatre. But, Matt is a bit better than people give him credit for. Not to say he's absolutely fantastic... but good.

[chex432]

I prefer Daniel Koek (Current UK Tour Tony)..but this guy still has a great voice =D

[desireeee14]

i saw him on opening night, he does hae a good voice. but he just doesnt fill the part of tony well.

he isnt passionate enough i must say.

it was still an amzing show overall.

i had front row seats, and they were free.

even better :)

[megsta21]

He is really good...but i dont think he has a tony voice

[mrm4052]

he's amazing! what are you all talking about?

[cbgbs93]

horrible vibrato

[loverofbroadway]

I don't like him overall. He over acted the role and that includes when he sings. I thought he was an awful Tony. My school did West Side this year and while our Tony didn't have quite as clear of a voice he was genuine. That's what makes a good Tony and this guy just doesn't have it.

[edddddd94]

he made to broadway i wanna see u do that

[loverofbroadway]

It's my opinion and I'm entitled to it. If you noticed, a lot of people felt the same way. He might be good in other stuff but this just wasn't the role for him. I'm saying I've seen better people play this role(not the guy in the movie tho, he wasn't good either and he didn't even sing). I no I can't get on broadway. I'm a musician and so I have a relatively good ear and the thing is my ear didn't like this at all.

[edddddd94]

ok i get where ya coming from and now i really get what u mean i looked up other tony's and by far he is one of the worst ones!!

[atla18]

just because an actor/performer is ON broadway doesn't mean he/she is automatically perfect for any role.

Lots of people have an issue with the amount of vibrato in his voice, which is a perfectly reasonable complaint. Along with the OVER-acting.

Thats not to say hes not a talented performer, just perhaps not the best choice for this particular role.

Personally, I don't think it's unbearable. It's worse on Maria than in this song, at any rate.

[hellomynameiscory]

it sounds way too broadway and not authentic enough it doesnt sound natural at all. he sounds like he is over acting, i dont like it at all, they should have picked someone that could acually be put next to other tony's for comparison. I saw it at my high school a few years ago and the Tony there was 10 times better.

[Bluelily818]

I understand why some people criticize his voice, but I actually saw it last week and he was amazing! Not the best Tony that ever lived but he was amazing enough to watch and fall in love with! Many of you don't like the vibrato but I like the vibrato but I can see why many people don't like it, it is a bit too much at some parts but still beautiful voice and a wonderful show to see over and over again!

[watcherofvideos111]

people were very critical of him in this show. I think it's because most of the other actors were spectacular and he wasn't completely up to par. But I thought he was good! I thought he was a better actor than a singer, and in the end, isn't that more important?

[BabeRighteous]

I just saw this in NYC. Do NOT buy tickets in the 1st 5 rows. I frequently get front seats and love them, but the stage at the palace theater is tall. All of us in the 1st 5 rows were upset we couldn't see anything but waist up.

[metalheadrock]

don't dig this version of the song, nor the voice singing it.

[bethnor]

honestly. i can see how the vibrato could be a bit much. but the way people are going on, it's as if he was getting up there are warbling out of tune or something.

[TNMEBDobsession1]

I think he did great, the vibrato . . . eh could be more natural. But I saw the show and I'm going to see it again because it was fantastic and I think people are being too critical he did wonderful as tony

[UveBeenLuPwned123094]

i really think he's pretty good. i hope i get the chance to see west side soon :)

[notgoinnowhere]

That last note is gold. I don't care what anyone says.

[tomytodd]

ctodd2011 calm down. Mary Louise...please

[raypaul973]

saw the show three times now, and i must say, though a nice voice, nothing special, certainly miscast in this role. don't really know what the producers were going for here, but obviously, a crux tony was not it, especially compared to josefina, who is a breathtaking and unexpected find as maria. kudos to the wonderful karen in the role of anita and the rest of the cast. this performance is the weak point in this otherwise great show. sad to say, but true.

[spookejstar95]

he is great. he brings something new to the role.

[jaiadore]

ehhh....a weird tony. totally agree.  his sound is too traditional for the role.

[Judill]

Tony is supposed to be a crooning tenor. Matt Cavenaugh is a great traditional musical theatre tenor, but it totally doesn't fit.

[ctodd2011]

it really doesn't matter what you guys think about him, he's fucking in the revival if you like him or not. Your opinions will not change that. Obviously they saw a quality in him that they wanted. So shut up and accept that.

[mOoMoO5987]

its what the audience likes not the producer

the audience watches judges and pays for the show and they do it to please them

[littledakotarose]

he reminds me of a young Crawford.

[damechastain]

TOO MUCH VIBRATO. And his rhythm is not what it should be. I saw him last night, he was not what I thought the role should be either musically or dramatically. (Except during the rumble, I thought he was just heartbreaking during the rumble.)

[JohnDEldridge]

He's classically trained, you say? I can't hear it. Way too much vibrato, shaky intonation, and a little forced on his chesty high notes.

And it bothers me that he doesn't sustain all the notes the way he's supposed to; "Could be" as opposed to "Could beeeee," the way it's really supposed to be. This is Tony they chose? Eesh.

[Durnty]

I noticed that too, he's clearly forcing the vibrato instead of using any kind of technique and letting it come naturally

[aasjb4ever]

i think hes ok

hes not great, but hes good

[BEVERYCUMMINS]

David Habbin plaved Tony in West Side Story with the right feeling and voice for London's West End Production [like our broadway]

go to his channel and listen to him sing with piano only West side Story songs, maybe you will see what I mean , maybe not

[a0997650]

hes okay i guess

[jenksHSM]

HE is so amazing!! He is the ideal Tony!!

[BEVERYCUMMINS]

I want David Habbin to sing this on Broadway ,this is a weak performance

[jenksHSM]

I BEG TO DIFFER!!!

David is AMAZING! But he is alot more classical and very polished, not exactly what I think fits a new york gang leader....

[Tejinojin]

yeah but tony isn't the gang leader. riff is. i like the light quality of his voice, but his vibrato is a little much for my tastes.

[raycen09]

Does anyone know when you can purchase the Revival on CD is it going to itunes?

[tomytodd]

He sounds like an "almost" male version of Galinda.......

[tomytodd]

This sucks. It sounds like Paul Lind from the center square on Hollywood Squares. I hope that rattle vibrato isn't making a comeback.

[ManhattanSonata]

This is GLORIOUS. I've heard complaints about his voice....I disagree with every single on of them.

[SCamille13]

Tony always ends up sounding soft regardless.

[Selendomono]

i dont think lary kert sounded soft... and the movie tony was kind of halfway in between him and matt cavenaugh

[Selendomono]

i must say he sounds way too soft to be an ex-gang banger