Come On Along And Listen To...

I've been on a total Broadway kick today; video after video of famous golden-era performances and tributes, not to mention the Audra McDonald station on Pandora.  I always have been, and always will be, in love with musicals and the joy they bring.

Here's a few of the clips I've watched today.  Some of the quality is poor, but I'd rather watch the original cast than the film version in a lot of cases.  Take for example this first video:

Angela Lansbury in the 1983 revival of "MAME."  I feel ridiculous claiming to be short of breath after our opening number when I see something like this.  That soprano deserves a Tony all her own.  I wish this video was of better quality... I've watched Angela Lansbury so often and she always delivers a stunningly natural, graceful performance.  Plus, she seems like she has a great sense of humor.

Jerry Herman.  Let's stick with him a while longer, shall we?  I think its pretty safe to say that he is the king of the modulation:

Or how about the greatest pullback in Broadway history?  Done and done:

(If you don't get goosebumps when they start that final verse, you have no soul.)

Even though Streisand was a controversy in this role, there's no denying that the movie the charming and full of spectacular musical moments.  "Put On Your Sunday Clothes" is easily one of my all-time favorite movie musical moments.

How about something (slightly) more recent and completely different:

Betty Buckley is a BEAST.  I saw this show with Glenn Close when I was a kid.  I had no idea what I was watching, but I insisted on buying and memorizing the entire two-disc cast album.  I wish I could have seen all the different Normas, because each one is unique and brilliant.  Plus, can we discuss that costume?  Auh, I would die.

Since we're on the subject of her beast-ness...

The soprano cat is killing me, but at 1:27 Betty murders your soul.  How does she DO that?  It sounds absolutely effortless.  Not to mention the fact that she's in the middle of standing up while she does it.  Come on.

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Comedy break.

Did anyone else lose their mind a little the first time they heard this?  Again, I replayed this two-disc CD until it wouldn't play anymore.
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I heard a rumor that this is Streisand's next movie venture.  She didn't get permission from Laurents, but well... now that he's dead and all...

Listen, I love (read: love) me some Babs, but she needs to leave this one be.  Patti peed all over it.  The territory has been marked.


I don't care if you laugh at me for this next one.

Doug Sills is insanely talented, and my inner MT nerd geeks out a little every time he talks to me.

A little Lippa, while we're on the subject of people who make me geek out:

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How could I not mention Ragtime until now?

One of the best opening numbers EVER.  I was at this Tony Award ceremony, and I was floored.  It so happens that it was the same year as The Lion King, so we were all bowled over by the talent and artistry in the room that night.

I wish I could find footage of the original cast for "Make Them Hear You," "Gliding," "The Night That Goldman Spoke..." or pretty much anything else.  It is one of my biggest regrets, not seeing this show live.

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Since its late and we have a two-show day tomorrow, I'm going to have to cut this short.  I will leave you with a few more gems to enjoy as you will.  Unless you're totally out of touch with the Broadway community, I assume you'll know what these are from their still frames.

(Below is one of my favorite Tony awards performances)

((I saw this show live.  In the front row.  Score.))

Patrick Wilson.  Sweet dreams.