Jay Armstrong Johnson/Davis Gaines - "I Can See It" from The Fantasticks | Muny Magic at The Sheldon

[@LULOHANFYAH]

Wonderful LIVE performance! I loved the way they both were able to find moments to act during the singing despite being constricted by the format and singing from the music. I felt this. Well done!

[@swanben11]

God, Gaines is such a consummate professional. He’s outrageously resonant.

[@ParkersStage]

These comments! This was FANTASTIC!!! I haven't seen this performed live in 40+ years! Even as a teenager i didn't fit in those seats! -LOL- I really enjoyed this performance!

[@tangogent]

Jay, you need to do more than hit the notes! Gaines' voice is magnificent. x

[@Dweezil1996]

People who are SCHEMING lol

[@luigiprocopioii1909]

Precisely!

[@newglappy2389]

I wish Jay smiled a bit. Itlooked like he was just trying to look pretty and didn’t tell the story at all.

[@hhardin8500]

yes you can hear this somewhat in his delivery-- which was nice at moments lackluster in others

[@itstheburnz]

They simply do not match...or even close.. not well paired...Gaines has Broadway chops and presence.. other guy, very promising.

[@operasanger]

Please do your homework before commenting again. Jay Armstrong Johnson, whom you condescendingly referred to as "the other guy," is more than "very promising." He too is a Broadway veteran. So I don't know what you mean about comparing him unfavorably to Gaines' "Broadway chops..." For the record: Johnson has done FIVE Broadway shows to date and a national tour, compared to Gaines' just 2 Broadway shows and 5 national tours. Had you bothered to do a simple Google search or gone to IBDB, you would have found that out. So apparently, the one with real Broadway chops is actually Jay Armstrong Johnson! Moreover, Gaines on the other hand is clearly, and sadly, a shadow of his former vocal self. In this performance, he got several notes, lyrics and even entrances consistently wrong - even with the sheet music right in front of him. His voice has lost virtually all of it's luster, tone and clarity and now just sounds plodding, dull and loud. Of course, the man is 65! But also, he was not a gracious scene partner here. Instead, he was clearly overbearing in a way that neither the duet, nor the role required. The role calls for manipulation - not obnoxious, faux bravado and over-the-top unprofessionalism. Kudos to Johnson though! I empathize with what that rehearsal and performance process must have been like for him; and I applaud him for rising above it all and delivering the solid, professional, lovely and satisfying performance that he did. Bravo!

[@swanben11]

@@operasangeroh, I get it now. You just have issues socializing.

[@operasanger]

This was actually painful to watch. Gaines' frequent wrong notes and persistently jumping the gun on his entrances during the call and response duet sections was absolutely ruinous to the piece! He reminded me of a bad Vegas imitation of Wayne Newton trying to hold on to the last vestiges of a lovely voice long since faded. The first time he did it, I forgave it in a live performance. But to do it repeatedly was disrespectful to Johnson and an unprofessional attempt at one-upmanship. The man CAN read sheet music! Meanwhile Johnson was the consummate professional and sang the song not just flawlessly - but beautifully - and as written!! Bravo! I would pay to see his in the role.

[@swanben11]

Genuinely no clue what you’re talking about. I have pretty discerning ears, and have actually done this duet in a real production. This duet is HARD to get tight and energetic between the pit, and the actors, and it’s pretty demanding in both range, and breathe control as well. This was likely done with VERY little rehearsal, and they seemed to be off to a very good start. Also, Gaines is more consistently within the pitch center, for whatever that’s worth. Again, this was basically an open rehearsal, considering how short the Muny rehearsal periods are.

[@luigiprocopioii1909]

Horrible rendition. The are concentrating on their vocalizing. The song is supposed to be sung with EXCITEMENT! There's no passion and excitement in this version. 👎