This song wasn't made to power his voice really. He's got an excellent voice but this is more of an actor's song, and not for some one with a smooth crooning voice.
Actually Hugh does have a *very* powerful voice and this performance differs greatly from the way he sang the same song during "Company" in Seattle. In this performance, though, it was a very small venue and this song was the encore of a long set...and sung while he was dealing with a fever and lung constriction from a spider bite.
Possibly not the best I've seen of Hugh, although he is one of my role models in musical theatre and I look up to him as a vocalist. Raul Esparza did a better job but possibly because of Hugh's BITE! ARGHHH it let him down. Anyway, good job Paula for getting this on youtube.
Ok well you should cut him slack, because this is definitely not Hugh Panaro as I heard him before. As the Phantom, he was spectacular. Still very good, but I guess not as amazing as he was in Phantom of the Opera
he's not bad considering what has been said about his condition...i mean, better than I could have done. Being Alive is a difficult song, anyway. of course, comparing him (or most people) to Raul Esparza...well, it wouldn't be a fair comparison (who I feel sings it better than the original performer, Dean Jones). but still, Hugh did a good job.
This was a very cheesey production...the voice gives me a migraine...and whats with the sheet as a backdrop? and nobody sitting at the first table? they left?
It was not even a "production." It was merely a small private charity cabaret at a private estate, not a theatre. He got a very sincere standing ovation from people (who didn't know him or about the bite). And, no, the people at the table in front of me didn't leave. They moved a little so they wouldn't obstruct my table since they knew one of my group was doing photo & vide for the site. As for his voice, if it gives you a migraine, don't listen.
Cut him a little slack, please, since he was very sick. This was the final piece in a 2-hr concert. He'd been bitten by a spider the night before & by the beginning of the show, a fever had set in. We could see he was sweating too much. He went through with the show since it was for charity & later said he felt constriction in his lungs & diaphragm. He showed us the bite which was badly discolored & swollen. He ended up in the ER later. I admire him for going through with the show at all.
No, it's not really a lot of slack to cut him in this case. I was there and saw he was getting sicker, despite trying to stay positive about it and not mentioning it except to friends. He updated me on his condition a few days later and said he'd almost had to cancel the job in Seattle entirely. He filled me in on the rest of the details about the hospital visit over dinner out there. It was definitely serious.
"Company" is a classic. It definitely isn't a new musical at all. It actually started in 1970. Check out the original music and the various versions done of the song "Being Alive."
i just always hear the phantom when he holds out long powerful notes XD
ShadowDwellerXXX 9 months ago
Excellent! I'd like to see him do this onstage with a good quality recording.
RichieEastside 2 years ago
You obviously dont understand what the song is about, and you sing it like a pop singer and you cracked at the end.
GREAT voice though
dimugly2k5 3 years ago
Wow. Seriously? This is Hugh Panaro, people.
hateleyfan123 3 years ago 2
Aw, Hugh's awesome!
sunrisesunset51 3 years ago
a smooth croooning voice wat the fuck !!!!!
triggerdannywatkins 3 years ago
ooo... spider bite. Poor hugh =[
Still love him!
carly3592 3 years ago 2
This song wasn't made to power his voice really. He's got an excellent voice but this is more of an actor's song, and not for some one with a smooth crooning voice.
bohemiawelcumsyou 3 years ago
Actually Hugh does have a *very* powerful voice and this performance differs greatly from the way he sang the same song during "Company" in Seattle. In this performance, though, it was a very small venue and this song was the encore of a long set...and sung while he was dealing with a fever and lung constriction from a spider bite.
Paula74 3 years ago
I was gonna say, his voice doesn't sound as strong as in other vids. But he still did great.
bohemiawelcumsyou 3 years ago
Hugh is the best at everything! He wins! Yay! ^_^ He just needs to hurry up and get that album out and then come back to Broadway.
AmyEnchanted86 4 years ago
Possibly not the best I've seen of Hugh, although he is one of my role models in musical theatre and I look up to him as a vocalist. Raul Esparza did a better job but possibly because of Hugh's BITE! ARGHHH it let him down. Anyway, good job Paula for getting this on youtube.
Aracind 4 years ago
He is spectacular! I can't believe there are "people" making negative comments here. They need to get a life. This performance is AMAZING!
chevychase 4 years ago
Ok well you should cut him slack, because this is definitely not Hugh Panaro as I heard him before. As the Phantom, he was spectacular. Still very good, but I guess not as amazing as he was in Phantom of the Opera
themusicman2492 4 years ago
he's not bad considering what has been said about his condition...i mean, better than I could have done. Being Alive is a difficult song, anyway. of course, comparing him (or most people) to Raul Esparza...well, it wouldn't be a fair comparison (who I feel sings it better than the original performer, Dean Jones). but still, Hugh did a good job.
MarvelousMedia 4 years ago
Raul has a beautiful tone to his voice, but I think he uses too much vibrato in "Being Alive." I still prefer Dean Jones.
Hugh did a very nice job - but as Paula says, this probably isn't his best performance of this song. However, he's an amazing singer.
BestArts 3 years ago
What's the problem? I thought he did a great job! People are WAY too critical.
greenglitter21 4 years ago
This was a very cheesey production...the voice gives me a migraine...and whats with the sheet as a backdrop? and nobody sitting at the first table? they left?
MMNYCCPA 4 years ago
It was not even a "production." It was merely a small private charity cabaret at a private estate, not a theatre. He got a very sincere standing ovation from people (who didn't know him or about the bite). And, no, the people at the table in front of me didn't leave. They moved a little so they wouldn't obstruct my table since they knew one of my group was doing photo & vide for the site. As for his voice, if it gives you a migraine, don't listen.
Paula74 4 years ago 2
I was not impressed...sang like a doorknob..
MMNYCCPA 4 years ago
Cut him a little slack, please, since he was very sick. This was the final piece in a 2-hr concert. He'd been bitten by a spider the night before & by the beginning of the show, a fever had set in. We could see he was sweating too much. He went through with the show since it was for charity & later said he felt constriction in his lungs & diaphragm. He showed us the bite which was badly discolored & swollen. He ended up in the ER later. I admire him for going through with the show at all.
Paula74 4 years ago
did he also get hit by a truck and dragged 17 blocks before getting to the concert? Lol sorry, that just seems like A LOT of slack to cut
This video is fine, but all those things, common? I mean, common.
payette 4 years ago
No, it's not really a lot of slack to cut him in this case. I was there and saw he was getting sicker, despite trying to stay positive about it and not mentioning it except to friends. He updated me on his condition a few days later and said he'd almost had to cancel the job in Seattle entirely. He filled me in on the rest of the details about the hospital visit over dinner out there. It was definitely serious.
Paula74 4 years ago
He's sweet
cutegirlsue 5 years ago
wow. he's good!!!! Next time he should sing barcelona!
rainbowspotter 5 years ago
Only if he had someone singing with his - "Barcelona" is a duet. And it's really a song that works better in the context of the scene.
Paula74 5 years ago
yay! I love him! He's so adorable (tell him i said that) Oh did you tell I said Hi?
rainbowspotter 5 years ago
Actually, I haven't talked to him since this show. He's been really busy with the "Company" rehearsals on the "wrong" (for me) side of the country.
Paula74 5 years ago
is he going to sing this in Company?
rainbowspotter 5 years ago
Yes, he is.
Paula74 5 years ago
thanks ! Paula , i can see you are a huge fan of hugh !
calldebbie 5 years ago
so it is a new musical ? i want to know more about it . where can i find the information ? thanks !
calldebbie 5 years ago
It's a revival. Google "hugh panaro company seattle" and you'll find some information on it. Or drop me a note.
Paula74 5 years ago
"Company" is a classic. It definitely isn't a new musical at all. It actually started in 1970. Check out the original music and the various versions done of the song "Being Alive."
showtunesman89 5 years ago
thanks !!! it is cool .
what is the song he is sining ?
calldebbie 5 years ago
It's "Being Alive" from Sondheim's "Company." Hugh will be playing the lead in that show in Seattle next month.
Paula74 5 years ago
this vid is so cool
hughphan1964 5 years ago
thank you! He's awesome ^^
deppangel818 5 years ago