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I think one of the reasons this didn't quite hit "true" was because this wasn't a full performance. It was a single song done, fully staged, for a talk show. That can both help and hurt a performer because you haven't "built" to that point mentally and emotionally through the rest of the show. But you also haven't been belting out all of those other intricate, demanding songs that Frozen brought us. For me, award shows, parades, and talk shows are great chances to highlight a show. But, they can also be a production's Achilles heel since they are often out of context and out of sync with what a full show would be.
Thanks for explaining this was a single song done for a talk show. I would have been pretty upset if I had paid Broadway ticket prices and this was what had happened.
True. ABC (pronounced Disney) took the audience of The View to the theatre to see this. They also gave away tickets a day or two after. It was a big promotional campaign by them. The walk didn’t bother me because as a choreographer, it was “the Elsa walk,” 100%, from the movie
The costume change and the special effects are even better in person! I was glad they added the extra big note at the end because when I saw it people went crazy and you really couldn't hear the regular big note from the movie.
I can only imagine just how intimidating taking on the role of Elsa was for Caissie Levy. Idina Menzel is so iconic as the voice of Elsa. I applaud Caissie for how amazing of a job she did with such what I imagine was a daunting task.
I love that she’s wearing probably 25 pounds of costume at the beginning of this... can’t imagine singing with added weight! Broadway is on another level
Could you please review Nonstop from Hamilton and possibly look at either the White House Performance of One Last Time, or the Disney Plus version, or even The Story of Tonight with Elmo?
When I see her smiling after the costume change, I see it as the thrill of freedom and feeling like a child again where ANYTHING is possible! Also, she just made a dress out of magic if I had done that, I'd be beaming. So, I don't see that as a 'boss girl' moment. As much as yes, she's coming into her own, she's not quite there yet. The last line, I think is where the 'boss' comes in. She's really feeling herself there. That's just my opinion, though. I can't say what was actually going through the actor's and directors minds.
Agree with all of these notes. The performance felt more like something you would get from a Disney show at Disney world than a broadway show. The vocal was very well executed and the big note at the end was a great way to end it. I do think some of the phrasings and choices along the way missed some emotional resonance. Entertaining though non the less, and great production.
Marc, genius review. I agreed with every single critique. First off, Cassie is an AMAZING and talented technical singer. But I was so disappointed in this. I felt like she knew the audience would love anything she did, so -- smile smile smile. Even if this is a huge moment of loss for Elsa as a character, and a moment when she does this huge brave thing -- goes into the abyss, into the wilderness, looking for a place to belong. Then she just freaking BUILDS A HOME FOR HERSELF WITH MAGIC. That's awesome. She has no one to please but herself. She is the storm. She is the snow and the sky. She is a goddess. But here, with Cassie, I never felt she was connected to Elsa's pain and abandonment, her loneliness or rage. When Elsa breaks into that first "Let it go, let it go," and the other emotional high points that follow (many subtly noting rage, sadness, loss), we see NONE of that in this performance. In the big bridge/break, "the past is in the past," she's smiling the entire time -- connected to the audience, which yes, is lovely, but she is totally not living in the song itself. It should be a moment of conflicted pain and triumph over that pain. Instead, she's just giving a beauty-queen smile to the audience, like, "yay, isn't this fun?" I mean, the ANIMATED CHARACTER of Elsa shows more sadness, conflict, and determination than this performance. This number? Singing, 9. Emotion/Performance: 6. There was no pain at all in this number. Nothing to let go of. She was too visibly delighted at all the applause. I don't mean to be mean -- she's obviously so talented. But just because this is a crowd-pleaser, it doesn't mean you need to cater so blatantly to pleasing the crowed. Gah. PS -- I'm not a huge FROZEN fan. I like the movie a lot, and it's lovely and very sweet. And I do LOVE "Let It Go," so I'm not being a purist here. I just still think nothing quite measures up to Idina's fierce vocals (the movie makes it very Barbie Dream Castle in Snow -- I think it could have been darker and more true to fairytales, a harder journey -- I just think it falls short). But it's a fantastic song and an anthem for girls to find their own power, and I love that. Cheers! (Sorry for the wall of text...)
It’s a performance for TV - taken out of context. She hasn’t been through the journey of the character. She performed just this number - with an audience that is staged and sounds ridiculous. It is a Promotional strategy being used to sell the show. It baffles me that people are failing to understand that.
I don't think that that was the point of this performance. I don't think she was necessarily trying to stay in character. Cassie is a pro. She deliberately engaged with the audience because this is a television performance. This isn't a Broadway performance; she could have a little more fun here.
I saw the Broadway performance with my grand daughter last year pre-covid. I admit I did sleep thru most of the show but did wake up for this performance. She gave me goose bumps. And those special effects...wow. She got a standing ovation.
I got to see Caissie as Elsa last November and she was amazing! Her emotion was definitely not showcased in this performance. I think Monster is a far better song though.
I haven't found a good Broadway video of Caissie singing Monster, but here's the Vevo one. It's not fully live, but it's the Broadway version of the song. ruclips.net/video/b0T6N6sevm4/видео.html
Here's Caissie singing Monster in Denver. It's a clear video. Some of the beginning lyrics are different and some of the staging. ruclips.net/video/3OX-XUYIP38/видео.html
The moment where she has that costume change reminded me so much of the Beast's transformation in Beauty and the Beast. I love it. I had never seen the staging of the song. I'd love to see more from this musical.
one more thing (not sure if it was mentioned) this wasn't selected from a set of performances to find the best, a-la Hamilton. It wasn't even done at the optimal time. She did this in the morning, as a special thing for The View's audience (they were bussed there from the View's studio), having done a full show the night before. So she's up early, and putting up with rush-hour bus/subway traffic to get there, and thus not having had the same kind of extended vocal warmups she'd have for a full evening show. That it is as solid as it is is impressive given those circumstances.
also, for the "internal dialog" of the bridge - I know you're looking at this song in particular, but it comes out more strongly in Monster. It helps there that the effects are all exterior. The 'big moment' also needs a lot of focus to nail where you are on the stage and hope everybody else does their part. In Monster the effects are all computer controlled (with someone on hand to halt it instantly if something is out of sync), so the timing can be more trusted.
your point is well taken, no doubt. However, I will say: When I watch someone perform I am never thinking of outside circumstances in their personal lives that are leading up to this performance I'm witnessing. An audience member can only go off of whats presented in front of them.
Considering how Idina Menzel crushed this song in the film version, I can only imagine the internal struggles Caissie Levy went through to make this piece her own.
I saw Cassie when i saw the show. When i was there, it was amazing and magical and i started crying. I think it was just this performance and it being for a talk show that it felt less connected.
I was just amazed and really enjoyed her performance of this song - it's so emitionally charged for everyone who listens to and sees it and we all have such high expectations... It's tough to deliver this one magic moment when you are not fully emerged into the whole show/story - to bring this on demand and out of context is an art in itself as you don't have all the prior emotions to build upon - so she's really doing a good job, all things considered! And the costume change?! Jaw dropping!
Thank you for posting this! In the pre-covid days, I play Elsa at a local attraction and sing this song quite often. You went over a lot of the parts that I have trouble with performing it, so this is awesome! Don't mind me, just taking notes 🧐📝🤓
Hey Marc! Cool to hear from you! I do have a video-- not on my youtube, but I can upload or send it your way if you're interested! I perform as a character for kids on a local river cruise (~150-200 people) usually playing Elsa, and sing Let It Go sometimes twice a day for those cruises. I have some training with a vocal coach (this was years ago, though!), but I do try to use that training to this day. It's the best, most fulfilling job in the world! Sadly, due to covid, we haven't had any cruises since March and I miss it so much. But yeah if you wanna watch it, that would be awesome. let me know (:
This is a bold request but I REALLY recommend PARK HYO SHIN singing Wildflower live!!! I know you mainly react to musical theatre but this is a really emotional and beautiful piece that I think you would really enjoy. For context: Early in his career, he had a lot of hard times with his previous agencies which exploited him excessively by doing ridiculous things such as scheduling concerts without his consent, not paying him, overworking him till he got an illness, the list goes on. Then his company sued him for trying to end the contract and this drove him to almost quit music. After coming back from the mandatory military training, he made a huge comeback with this song. It's a very emotional song both for him and his audience! I really really recommend it!!!!
I don't want to be unfair about this because I think this song was always going to be an uphill battle. Like it or not, you're competing with Indina Menzel whose version is indelibly scored on our brains. The special effects should be supporting her story rather than creating another obstacle for her to overcome and then there's her (understandable?) reaction to the reaction of the crowd. For me it's as if Valjean just finished his prayer 'bring him home' and then smiled broadly at the audience and nodded in satisfaction cos he hit the notes. I just don't feel much of anything- no shivers or tears welling up - parts of the song are just being sung rather than telling a story and feeling it. Of course that could all be on me because it's 3.55 a.m. here in Cork and I probably shouldn't be here watching musical theatre analysis. Damn notifications! 😁
I love what you said about the bridge of the song. Its a wonderful point and something i'm gonna steal to tell students in the future. Songs are more than melodies. They are monologue and dialogues.
I think spongebob the musical would be intresting. Most charecters have special voices so I wonder what you would say about there voices and singing together.
I agree with you on wanting a bit more "gritty" emotion!! Feels a little too happy the whole time instead of having the stakes it needs. She sings it BEAUTIFULLY (and I sing opera, so trust me I'm here for technique), but I really could have used the addition of more interesting inflections for those especially big moments. But this song is so hard to sing. I have no chance on the low notes LOL so whatever she has to do to keep it consistent every night (plus we never know what the direction is like or even what her DAY has been like), is what she should do (:
Totally agree on your notes. I felt more like watching a concert than a broadway show; fortunately there are comments explaining that it was a single performance in a talk show. Ah.....yes.
It's too bad you didn't get to see her in a real performance. This video suffers from excessive television production. I never cared for "Frozen", but I do love Broadway, having been a musical theater actor for nearly thirty years. I've gotten my share of "wow" moments on stage, from Bring Him Home, to If I Were a Rich Man and more. I have seldom seen anything as electrifying as Caissie (pronounced Casey) Levy's performance of this role. The show was sooooo much better on stage than it was on screen, and Patti Murin and Caissie Levy were a huge part of why that was so. Caissie absolutely owned this song, and the Disney magic only served to support her without overshadowing. Brava Caissie!
I noticed that you said that the original key was transposed downward, however, the original key is the key used in Broadway. Idina Menzel simply thought that transposing it upward would make it "sexier" and in effect made it harder for her to sing, resulting in the movie sounding strained.
i'm still annoyed at this specific recording because the producers of The View demanded the audience overreact because "it's for TV"...on the original video people were saying they had to do a few takes because the audience wasn't reactive enough...
I saw the production in Los Angeles and yes, the special effects were really that cool! It wasn't my favorite Disney stage musical, but the special effects were cool. I also think the tour Elsa was a little better, from what I remember.
I wish there was another performance then this one. This performance was for The View audience. It wasn't a full house. I wonder what her performance would look like with a packed audience. I believe this is all the The View audience got to see. I think this performance would have been different if she had done the whole show and worked her way into this scene.
How did they do that with her dress?! I saw Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and after that I thought I’d seen everything they could do but that was amazing!!!
It's a tear away that splits down the middle in the front with the other outfit under it. There are stage hands under the cloud of haze behind her. They pull on it and the magnetic pieces (it may be another fastener, but same concept) come undone and the reveal happens. It's carefully crafted so they quickly reveal it.
Adding to Abe, there's a trap door in the stage that opens behind her. The stage hands either reach up to grab the dress or hook the dress to retracting wires. That's why she walks forward from the stairs and then stands still for so long. There's a video taken from the balcony area where you can see some of the dry ice sinking into the hole. Same thing applies to why she doesn't move or turn around much at the beginning. Her glove and cape are attached to wires when she enters the stage. She only has a certain area she can walk on until those fly off on the "wind." After that is when she roams the stage.
@@OneTwoSbri yeah if you find the original video, some of the people who were there talk about it in the comments. Since this was filmed especially for TV, the audience was told to be very vocal and they even had to do it twice because they weren't loud enough the first time.
@@kurtislawler984 wow...😅 I mean I don't like this song that much but it would have been much better without all those fake sounding exclamations...first special effect Ok I get it but every single special effect after that?! It gets so annoying😂
Thank you for the PSA on the head and jaw movement to create vibrato!!!! That's so bad for you, but I can totally see this being a nerves situation in Caissie's case!
Marc, I so look forward to your videos. They have become a staple in my diet. I don't k now if FROZEN would be my musical of choice on Broadway but I am learning from your "classes." I thought it was interesting that you pointed out possible rationales to possibly create a vibrato. When I was a music major in college my voice teacher, in his vocal pedagogy classes, claimed that when the jaw is moving in conjunction with the vibrato, it is due to a low placement which can be detrimental to the voice over time as was the case with Maria Callas. Anyway, it is obvious that the audience members are FROZEN fans. I watched the video twice; once to focus on Caissie and secondly to watch your reaction which I find just as enjoyable. The third time I closed my eyes and just listened. For me, I prefer Caissie to Idina Menzel. Caissie's voice sounds fresher, freer, less strained. Sometimes, for me, Idina's voice sounds a bit brittle and heavy for my ears. You know what I'm waiting for. YOU! By the way...love the haircut.
Hey Marc, thank you so much for all the insights to this beautiful genre. Could you please do a reaction of Gethsemane? Even better a comparison of the two preformances from Steve Balsamo and Ted Neely(2006), they are both so hauntingly beautiful and accomplished through different skillsets. Would love to hear your take on (at least one of) them :)
Big Cassie fan after seing her as Molly in Ghost in London a bunch of years ago, tough act to do live, when the movie and recorded version is so well known. Idina is owning it but im not thinking she would do this better live (saw her in if/then and she has an amazing voive/prescense but her breething live is to visual that i prefer cassie here)
I think it should be considered that being part of a "Disney" musical she might've been directed to smile more. I'm not saying it couldn't be a crowd moment slip but I'd heavily consider she was told to portray the character a certain way. (also in the animated movie the song was written for there was a lot of smiling). A Disney musical is different from a musical/musical and involves the Disney machine.
I've been binge watching all your videos because i love how you analyze not only the voice but also the overall performance and I would love to see you analyze Spring Awakening Deaf West production, i know you already analyzed Spring Awakening but i think it would ve interesting to see how you can compare both productions and appreciate the performance and the way they incorporate deaf actors into a musical, I hope you see this and take it into consideration ❤️
thought her “you’ll never see me cry” was well delivered, because she kind of still stomps her foot when she says it. And her smile becomes more of a gritting of the teeth at that point too. So, I think for television subtle acting was enough.
As for the “boss” moment. I think a smile is OK, until she says “You’ll never see me cry”, or even “here I stand at the light of day” then she can get back to the very firm attitude. I don’t think her Way is any less valid than yours. Don’t get me wrong, I respect your experience, but it’s all about what’s authentic to each of us.
I love your reaction videos and hearing your take on the performances. Have you thought about doing one to Lin Manuel Miranda and Ben Platt's mash up of Evan Hansen and Tonight from Hamilton (Found/Tonight?) I can't stop listening to their beautiful version and would love to hear your analysis. Keep up the awesome content!
The audience was so funny because they're probably not musical theatre goers anyway. It's for abc and I believe the broadway production also doesn't have the special effects where people went woahh
I commented on different video, but it was on an older video. I would love to see you react to "I'll be here" from ordinary days. The song is so emotionally charged with so much going on. I lost someone and every time I listen to the song, it hits me so strongly. And Audra McDonald covering the song is also just out of this world. Though I don't know if there is a video out there of Audra McDonald singing the song. But Lisa Bresica who originated the song has a video on RUclips though somewhat bad in audio quality.
I would love for you to do a video on Zachary Levi in the show She Loves Me performing “She Loves Me.” Zachary Levi was nominated for a Tony for his performance, and I’d love to know your thoughts. :)
*CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE QUICK CHANGE OMG JTXSRSFZGXWGDHFHVJEAWECYDFIJ* 👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀 Ahem... Totally agree with you Marc, you raised a lot of points I picked up on too! Especially the walk. That for me needed SASS....This her not giving a damn moment, it was a bit too cute. THE LAST BELT THOUGH! So soon after the previous one!? Wow!
I will point out the audience during the show yes had reaction but this audience was a little overkill and kind of distracting to the performance. Yes this particular audience was told to really react because it was a promo. But I was lucky enough to see Cassie on Broadway before the show closed and the audience was typically a little more tame
Entirely up to you and if you feel you can add substance enough to make it your own. When I was in school, our prof had a rule of NO DISNEY aloud, so I can see why many performers would hesitate to haul it into an audition.
Public reaction? It was a manufactured reaction. This number was recorded specifically for "The View" show. Disney/ABC "asked" the audience to stay for a second attempt and "encouraged" to be more animated and vocal, according to an audience member. The audience was bussed in from the "The View" studio for the recording. Audience also got tickets to see the show.
How about doing Jennifer Holliday's original Effie from Dreamgirls "And I am telling you".? I think you can watch the Tony awards performance from that year on RUclips, 1981 or 1982?
This song has such a big range that it's hard to do all the notes. I can sing all the notes (high and low) in the key from the movie. The Broadway key is easier for the high note and nicer to the singers' voices. But man, in that key, the bottom note is scraping the bottom of my range. It depends on the day if I can make it sound nice. Marc's so right that hitting it on "tried" is much easier than on "seen."
I think you have failed to mention that this performance was a heightened performance for TV. The points that you criticise her for ‘smiling’ ‘ pageant walk’ etc were because it was a special performance for ‘The View’. It has been taken out of context. Also the audience sounds ridiculous! She’s probably trying her best not to laugh at how stupid the reactions sound. When I went to see it - she nailed it! Amazing performance.
I heard that they are gonna make a film version of JRB's musical, 13. Can you make a review for the obc? I read that 13 is the first all teen cast broadway musical or something...
Unpopular opinion, but I am actually no big fan of Idina Menzel in Frozen. I think Caissie Levy does a way better job at really chanelling Elsa in this song. That said, this performance is not at its best and the critique is right.
Maybe you should take a look at Zhou Shen version of think of me. His voice is so beautiful, emmmmmmm.... It's like an angel This is a live version shot by fans：ruclips.net/video/N_hEPatcOc4/видео.html Of course, he also sang let it go, There are nine different languages . I personally can't accept so many different languages in a song
Much like Wicked and Rent, it is SO hard to follow in Idina’s footsteps. Idina’s voice is so distinctive and her attitude shines thru. This singer falls flat on attitude.
I'm sorry with all due respect but I disagree with everything I thought that was the most amazing performance I've ever seen and nobody had me in tears it's easy to critique somebody's work constantly but you have to see it in our perspective we just see Magic and that woman's voice is not standing she deserves an award for that show and I mean damn can you give the woman any credit you could teach her through the whole performance nothing good to say about her
Me when I don’t watch the whole video and hate that professional who is reacting to my favorite actor because they are criticizing them and not praising them 24/7:
In general having seen The Lion King and Frozen, there's this thing about Disney musicals... an over reliance on the special effects and scenery over actual performance. Vocally she sounds amazing, but her performance has zero energy or strength. She might as well be just songing in a concert.
Am I the only one who thinks she sounds a bit like she's singing through her nose? I mean, it's a matter of personal taste and I've no doubt she is extremely talented, but something about the sound of her voice (is timbre the right word here?) just kinda grates on me.
Just love all your reviews and analysis!! Many MANY years ago, Adam Lambert sang “Is Anybody Listening”. Would LOVE to hear your take on his performance. I am putting the link here for you. Incidentally, he has a live performance from when he was in Brigadoon (also a ton of years ago) but it’s unfortunately audio only. Anyway, would love your take on this! ruclips.net/video/lvwcJUhIa0U/видео.html
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Its so intimidating to take on a role or song like this. There is a high standard set in the eyes of the audience and the pressure is on.
I think one of the reasons this didn't quite hit "true" was because this wasn't a full performance. It was a single song done, fully staged, for a talk show. That can both help and hurt a performer because you haven't "built" to that point mentally and emotionally through the rest of the show. But you also haven't been belting out all of those other intricate, demanding songs that Frozen brought us. For me, award shows, parades, and talk shows are great chances to highlight a show. But, they can also be a production's Achilles heel since they are often out of context and out of sync with what a full show would be.
great point Tammy.
Thanks for explaining this was a single song done for a talk show. I would have been pretty upset if I had paid Broadway ticket prices and this was what had happened.
True. ABC (pronounced Disney) took the audience of The View to the theatre to see this. They also gave away tickets a day or two after. It was a big promotional campaign by them. The walk didn’t bother me because as a choreographer, it was “the Elsa walk,” 100%, from the movie
The costume change and the special effects are even better in person! I was glad they added the extra big note at the end because when I saw it people went crazy and you really couldn't hear the regular big note from the movie.
Right. the icicle projection effects look kinda dull here, but it's so bight and vibrant in person and her dress almost blinded me.
I can only imagine just how intimidating taking on the role of Elsa was for Caissie Levy. Idina Menzel is so iconic as the voice of Elsa. I applaud Caissie for how amazing of a job she did with such what I imagine was a daunting task.
I love that she’s wearing probably 25 pounds of costume at the beginning of this... can’t imagine singing with added weight! Broadway is on another level
Could you please review Nonstop from Hamilton and possibly look at either the White House Performance of One Last Time, or the Disney Plus version, or even The Story of Tonight with Elmo?
When I see her smiling after the costume change, I see it as the thrill of freedom and feeling like a child again where ANYTHING is possible! Also, she just made a dress out of magic if I had done that, I'd be beaming.
So, I don't see that as a 'boss girl' moment. As much as yes, she's coming into her own, she's not quite there yet. The last line, I think is where the 'boss' comes in. She's really feeling herself there.
That's just my opinion, though. I can't say what was actually going through the actor's and directors minds.
Agree with all of these notes. The performance felt more like something you would get from a Disney show at Disney world than a broadway show. The vocal was very well executed and the big note at the end was a great way to end it. I do think some of the phrasings and choices along the way missed some emotional resonance. Entertaining though non the less, and great production.
Marc, genius review. I agreed with every single critique. First off, Cassie is an AMAZING and talented technical singer. But I was so disappointed in this. I felt like she knew the audience would love anything she did, so -- smile smile smile. Even if this is a huge moment of loss for Elsa as a character, and a moment when she does this huge brave thing -- goes into the abyss, into the wilderness, looking for a place to belong. Then she just freaking BUILDS A HOME FOR HERSELF WITH MAGIC. That's awesome. She has no one to please but herself. She is the storm. She is the snow and the sky. She is a goddess.
But here, with Cassie, I never felt she was connected to Elsa's pain and abandonment, her loneliness or rage. When Elsa breaks into that first "Let it go, let it go," and the other emotional high points that follow (many subtly noting rage, sadness, loss), we see NONE of that in this performance. In the big bridge/break, "the past is in the past," she's smiling the entire time -- connected to the audience, which yes, is lovely, but she is totally not living in the song itself. It should be a moment of conflicted pain and triumph over that pain. Instead, she's just giving a beauty-queen smile to the audience, like, "yay, isn't this fun?"
I mean, the ANIMATED CHARACTER of Elsa shows more sadness, conflict, and determination than this performance. This number? Singing, 9. Emotion/Performance: 6. There was no pain at all in this number. Nothing to let go of. She was too visibly delighted at all the applause.
I don't mean to be mean -- she's obviously so talented. But just because this is a crowd-pleaser, it doesn't mean you need to cater so blatantly to pleasing the crowed. Gah.
PS -- I'm not a huge FROZEN fan. I like the movie a lot, and it's lovely and very sweet. And I do LOVE "Let It Go," so I'm not being a purist here. I just still think nothing quite measures up to Idina's fierce vocals (the movie makes it very Barbie Dream Castle in Snow -- I think it could have been darker and more true to fairytales, a harder journey -- I just think it falls short). But it's a fantastic song and an anthem for girls to find their own power, and I love that. Cheers! (Sorry for the wall of text...)
You saved me having to type the same thing! I agree 100%.
It’s a performance for TV - taken out of context. She hasn’t been through the journey of the character. She performed just this number - with an audience that is staged and sounds ridiculous. It is a Promotional strategy being used to sell the show. It baffles me that people are failing to understand that.
I don't think that that was the point of this performance. I don't think she was necessarily trying to stay in character. Cassie is a pro. She deliberately engaged with the audience because this is a television performance. This isn't a Broadway performance; she could have a little more fun here.
I saw the Broadway performance with my grand daughter last year pre-covid. I admit I did sleep thru most of the show but did wake up for this performance. She gave me goose bumps. And those special effects...wow. She got a standing ovation.
This performance was really more of a showcase, thus a lighter presentation of the song
But it’s different when shown on an actual theatre stage...
Another thoughtful, educational and insightful review. Love your videos 🥰
I got to see Caissie as Elsa last November and she was amazing! Her emotion was definitely not showcased in this performance. I think Monster is a far better song though.
This is a popular request. I'll have to try and find a video of that one next.
@@MarcDanielPatrick thank you!
I haven't found a good Broadway video of Caissie singing Monster, but here's the Vevo one. It's not fully live, but it's the Broadway version of the song.
ruclips.net/video/b0T6N6sevm4/видео.html
Here's Caissie singing Monster in Denver. It's a clear video. Some of the beginning lyrics are different and some of the staging.
ruclips.net/video/3OX-XUYIP38/видео.html
The moment where she has that costume change reminded me so much of the Beast's transformation in Beauty and the Beast. I love it. I had never seen the staging of the song. I'd love to see more from this musical.
Speaking of jaw and vibrato, I would love to see a react video to Ariana Grande and Halsey
one more thing (not sure if it was mentioned) this wasn't selected from a set of performances to find the best, a-la Hamilton. It wasn't even done at the optimal time. She did this in the morning, as a special thing for The View's audience (they were bussed there from the View's studio), having done a full show the night before. So she's up early, and putting up with rush-hour bus/subway traffic to get there, and thus not having had the same kind of extended vocal warmups she'd have for a full evening show. That it is as solid as it is is impressive given those circumstances.
also, for the "internal dialog" of the bridge - I know you're looking at this song in particular, but it comes out more strongly in Monster. It helps there that the effects are all exterior. The 'big moment' also needs a lot of focus to nail where you are on the stage and hope everybody else does their part. In Monster the effects are all computer controlled (with someone on hand to halt it instantly if something is out of sync), so the timing can be more trusted.
your point is well taken, no doubt. However, I will say: When I watch someone perform I am never thinking of outside circumstances in their personal lives that are leading up to this performance I'm witnessing. An audience member can only go off of whats presented in front of them.
Considering how Idina Menzel crushed this song in the film version, I can only imagine the internal struggles Caissie Levy went through to make this piece her own.
I saw Cassie when i saw the show. When i was there, it was amazing and magical and i started crying. I think it was just this performance and it being for a talk show that it felt less connected.
I assumed that was the case. She does a great connected moments throughout, so we know its there.
I was just amazed and really enjoyed her performance of this song - it's so emitionally charged for everyone who listens to and sees it and we all have such high expectations...
It's tough to deliver this one magic moment when you are not fully emerged into the whole show/story - to bring this on demand and out of context is an art in itself as you don't have all the prior emotions to build upon - so she's really doing a good job, all things considered!
And the costume change?! Jaw dropping!
Thank you for posting this! In the pre-covid days, I play Elsa at a local attraction and sing this song quite often. You went over a lot of the parts that I have trouble with performing it, so this is awesome! Don't mind me, just taking notes 🧐📝🤓
So glad to hear it. Any chance you have a video of you performing one of the numbers?
Hey Marc! Cool to hear from you! I do have a video-- not on my youtube, but I can upload or send it your way if you're interested!
I perform as a character for kids on a local river cruise (~150-200 people) usually playing Elsa, and sing Let It Go sometimes twice a day for those cruises. I have some training with a vocal coach (this was years ago, though!), but I do try to use that training to this day. It's the best, most fulfilling job in the world! Sadly, due to covid, we haven't had any cruises since March and I miss it so much.
But yeah if you wanna watch it, that would be awesome. let me know (:
@@MarcDanielPatrick ope sorry forgot to tag you above, my bad! 🙃
This is a bold request but I REALLY recommend PARK HYO SHIN singing Wildflower live!!! I know you mainly react to musical theatre but this is a really emotional and beautiful piece that I think you would really enjoy.
For context: Early in his career, he had a lot of hard times with his previous agencies which exploited him excessively by doing ridiculous things such as scheduling concerts without his consent, not paying him, overworking him till he got an illness, the list goes on. Then his company sued him for trying to end the contract and this drove him to almost quit music.
After coming back from the mandatory military training, he made a huge comeback with this song. It's a very emotional song both for him and his audience! I really really recommend it!!!!
I don't want to be unfair about this because I think this song was always going to be an uphill battle. Like it or not, you're competing with Indina Menzel whose version is indelibly scored on our brains. The special effects should be supporting her story rather than creating another obstacle for her to overcome and then there's her (understandable?) reaction to the reaction of the crowd. For me it's as if Valjean just finished his prayer 'bring him home' and then smiled broadly at the audience and nodded in satisfaction cos he hit the notes. I just don't feel much of anything- no shivers or tears welling up - parts of the song are just being sung rather than telling a story and feeling it. Of course that could all be on me because it's 3.55 a.m. here in Cork and I probably shouldn't be here watching musical theatre analysis. Damn notifications! 😁
she is so perfect! i love her acting and her voice so much♥️
Amen to that
I love what you said about the bridge of the song. Its a wonderful point and something i'm gonna steal to tell students in the future. Songs are more than melodies. They are monologue and dialogues.
I think spongebob the musical would be intresting. Most charecters have special voices so I wonder what you would say about there voices and singing together.
I agree with you on wanting a bit more "gritty" emotion!! Feels a little too happy the whole time instead of having the stakes it needs. She sings it BEAUTIFULLY (and I sing opera, so trust me I'm here for technique), but I really could have used the addition of more interesting inflections for those especially big moments. But this song is so hard to sing. I have no chance on the low notes LOL so whatever she has to do to keep it consistent every night (plus we never know what the direction is like or even what her DAY has been like), is what she should do (:
Do Monster next! Do Monster next!
No but really though
Yes!!!!
YESYESYES
Video of it anywhere...??
@@MarcDanielPatrick ruclips.net/video/b0T6N6sevm4/видео.html
Totally agree on your notes. I felt more like watching a concert than a broadway show; fortunately there are comments explaining that it was a single performance in a talk show. Ah.....yes.
omg Im learning so much with your videos
One of the things I do is perform the song as a monologue and find the meaning then put it to music.
It's too bad you didn't get to see her in a real performance. This video suffers from excessive television production.
I never cared for "Frozen", but I do love Broadway, having been a musical theater actor for nearly thirty years. I've gotten my share of "wow" moments on stage, from Bring Him Home, to If I Were a Rich Man and more. I have seldom seen anything as electrifying as Caissie (pronounced Casey) Levy's performance of this role. The show was sooooo much better on stage than it was on screen, and Patti Murin and Caissie Levy were a huge part of why that was so. Caissie absolutely owned this song, and the Disney magic only served to support her without overshadowing. Brava Caissie!
saw it during tryouts here in Denver in 2017, enjoyed the show a lot, but the song i came out humming was Hygge ...
I noticed that you said that the original key was transposed downward, however, the original key is the key used in Broadway. Idina Menzel simply thought that transposing it upward would make it "sexier" and in effect made it harder for her to sing, resulting in the movie sounding strained.
I love this and you read it for filth. LOL. The pageant walk comment made me laugh so hard. And no you can’t fault that belt.
Really interesting points! Some of which I haven't thought of myself :)
Who else thinks he should react to Adam pascal singing pity the child from chess like if u agree
i'm still annoyed at this specific recording because the producers of The View demanded the audience overreact because "it's for TV"...on the original video people were saying they had to do a few takes because the audience wasn't reactive enough...
The first time I watched the video the costume change shocked me so much- I wasn't a Frozen fan but I was amazed.
I saw the production in Los Angeles and yes, the special effects were really that cool! It wasn't my favorite Disney stage musical, but the special effects were cool. I also think the tour Elsa was a little better, from what I remember.
I wish there was another performance then this one. This performance was for The View audience. It wasn't a full house. I wonder what her performance would look like with a packed audience. I believe this is all the The View audience got to see. I think this performance would have been different if she had done the whole show and worked her way into this scene.
100% for sure. The live planned taping of this strictly for publicity reasons is tough to gig to pull off.
She’s undoubtedly a great singer, but I wasn’t a fan of the arrangement. I feel like she missed most of the “moments” and emotion of this song.
How did they do that with her dress?! I saw Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and after that I thought I’d seen everything they could do but that was amazing!!!
It's a tear away that splits down the middle in the front with the other outfit under it. There are stage hands under the cloud of haze behind her. They pull on it and the magnetic pieces (it may be another fastener, but same concept) come undone and the reveal happens. It's carefully crafted so they quickly reveal it.
Adding to Abe, there's a trap door in the stage that opens behind her. The stage hands either reach up to grab the dress or hook the dress to retracting wires. That's why she walks forward from the stairs and then stands still for so long. There's a video taken from the balcony area where you can see some of the dry ice sinking into the hole.
Same thing applies to why she doesn't move or turn around much at the beginning. Her glove and cape are attached to wires when she enters the stage. She only has a certain area she can walk on until those fly off on the "wind." After that is when she roams the stage.
@@ambyrhawkeshadowsinger691 Thank you!!
The audience's continuous "OOOOH!" ARE SO ANNOYING
I Agree. But they were told to be loud so this is what we get.
@@kurtislawler984 really? They were told to be loud? Omg
@@OneTwoSbri yeah if you find the original video, some of the people who were there talk about it in the comments. Since this was filmed especially for TV, the audience was told to be very vocal and they even had to do it twice because they weren't loud enough the first time.
@@kurtislawler984 wow...😅 I mean I don't like this song that much but it would have been much better without all those fake sounding exclamations...first special effect Ok I get it but every single special effect after that?! It gets so annoying😂
Thank you for the PSA on the head and jaw movement to create vibrato!!!! That's so bad for you, but I can totally see this being a nerves situation in Caissie's case!
Marc, I so look forward to your videos. They have become a staple in my diet. I don't k now if FROZEN would be my musical of choice on Broadway but I am learning from your "classes." I thought it was interesting that you pointed out possible rationales to possibly create a vibrato. When I was a music major in college my voice teacher, in his vocal pedagogy classes, claimed that when the jaw is moving in conjunction with the vibrato, it is due to a low placement which can be detrimental to the voice over time as was the case with Maria Callas. Anyway, it is obvious that the audience members are FROZEN fans. I watched the video twice; once to focus on Caissie and secondly to watch your reaction which I find just as enjoyable. The third time I closed my eyes and just listened. For me, I prefer Caissie to Idina Menzel. Caissie's voice sounds fresher, freer, less strained. Sometimes, for me, Idina's voice sounds a bit brittle and heavy for my ears. You know what I'm waiting for. YOU! By the way...love the haircut.
Thank you so much Roberto. I can barely get through my videos once, let alone three times. 😂
Her Tony Awards performance was much more fun and better in personality.
Have you heard Johnny Manuel sing "Home"? Just lovely.
Hey! A review on Willemijn Verkaik as Elphaba in Wicked would be cool :)
Hey Marc, thank you so much for all the insights to this beautiful genre.
Could you please do a reaction of Gethsemane? Even better a comparison of the two preformances from Steve Balsamo and Ted Neely(2006), they are both so hauntingly beautiful and accomplished through different skillsets. Would love to hear your take on (at least one of) them :)
Big Cassie fan after seing her as Molly in Ghost in London a bunch of years ago, tough act to do live, when the movie and recorded version is so well known. Idina is owning it but im not thinking she would do this better live (saw her in if/then and she has an amazing voive/prescense but her breething live is to visual that i prefer cassie here)
I think it should be considered that being part of a "Disney" musical she might've been directed to smile more. I'm not saying it couldn't be a crowd moment slip but I'd heavily consider she was told to portray the character a certain way. (also in the animated movie the song was written for there was a lot of smiling). A Disney musical is different from a musical/musical and involves the Disney machine.
I've been binge watching all your videos because i love how you analyze not only the voice but also the overall performance and I would love to see you analyze Spring Awakening Deaf West production, i know you already analyzed Spring Awakening but i think it would ve interesting to see how you can compare both productions and appreciate the performance and the way they incorporate deaf actors into a musical, I hope you see this and take it into consideration ❤️
Thank you so much for binging the channel! I'll do my best to get to it.
thought her “you’ll never see me cry” was well delivered, because she kind of still stomps her foot when she says it. And her smile becomes more of a gritting of the teeth at that point too. So, I think for television subtle acting was enough.
As for the “boss” moment. I think a smile is OK, until she says “You’ll never see me cry”, or even “here I stand at the light of day” then she can get back to the very firm attitude. I don’t think her Way is any less valid than yours. Don’t get me wrong, I respect your experience, but it’s all about what’s authentic to each of us.
loved this one, Patrick. thank you!
wanted to see something from Hadestown :D
cheers
Plz do Monster
Rofl love the toast reference
😏 I knew there had to be some Rocky fans on this channel.
You should listen to her cast recording of this. It's much better.
Also, you should listen to Monster from the same musical, even better
I love your reaction videos and hearing your take on the performances. Have you thought about doing one to Lin Manuel Miranda and Ben Platt's mash up of Evan Hansen and Tonight from Hamilton (Found/Tonight?) I can't stop listening to their beautiful version and would love to hear your analysis. Keep up the awesome content!
Thanks so much Alexander, appreciate that. I have seen them perform that song and it might be on deck soon enough.
Sorry Marc Her name is pronounced Casey not Cassy
🙈
The audience was so funny because they're probably not musical theatre goers anyway. It's for abc and I believe the broadway production also doesn't have the special effects where people went woahh
That power walk is identical to movie
My queen 😍
You nailed the critique because this performance from her lacks the emotion needed.
I commented on different video, but it was on an older video. I would love to see you react to "I'll be here" from ordinary days. The song is so emotionally charged with so much going on. I lost someone and every time I listen to the song, it hits me so strongly. And Audra McDonald covering the song is also just out of this world. Though I don't know if there is a video out there of Audra McDonald singing the song. But Lisa Bresica who originated the song has a video on RUclips though somewhat bad in audio quality.
I would love for you to do a video on Zachary Levi in the show She Loves Me performing “She Loves Me.” Zachary Levi was nominated for a Tony for his performance, and I’d love to know your thoughts. :)
*CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE QUICK CHANGE OMG JTXSRSFZGXWGDHFHVJEAWECYDFIJ*
👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀
Ahem...
Totally agree with you Marc, you raised a lot of points I picked up on too! Especially the walk. That for me needed SASS....This her not giving a damn moment, it was a bit too cute. THE LAST BELT THOUGH! So soon after the previous one!? Wow!
Great video! Insightful and rich, as usual. Off-topic question, are you using a new camera? This vid is much more crispy, I like it. ❤️
Wow, keen eye. New camera indeed.
Bridges are normally my fav part of a song, tbh
I will point out the audience during the show yes had reaction but this audience was a little overkill and kind of distracting to the performance. Yes this particular audience was told to really react because it was a promo. But I was lucky enough to see Cassie on Broadway before the show closed and the audience was typically a little more tame
Just out of curiosity, considering Idina Menzel had already done Broadway, why didn't they get her back for the live performance?
Please do Samantha Barks! There's a video of her as Elsa for the new West End production.
OK BUT YOU NEED TO DO
-AND I AM TELLING YOU (DREAMGIRLS)
-IM ALIVE (NEXT TO NORMAL)
-DEAD MOM (BEETLEJUICE)
HAHA. Let me just jot down that list Maria.
@@MarcDanielPatrick What Would I Do? From Falsettos is also STUNNING
Love your critique. What do you feel about using songs so well known for auditions, Disney songs etc.
Would love to see a video about the "best" and "worst" audition songs in your opinion.
Entirely up to you and if you feel you can add substance enough to make it your own. When I was in school, our prof had a rule of NO DISNEY aloud, so I can see why many performers would hesitate to haul it into an audition.
Public reaction? It was a manufactured reaction. This number was recorded specifically for "The View" show. Disney/ABC "asked" the audience to stay for a second attempt and "encouraged" to be more animated and vocal, according to an audience member. The audience was bussed in from the "The View" studio for the recording. Audience also got tickets to see the show.
How about doing Jennifer Holliday's original Effie from Dreamgirls "And I am telling you".? I think you can watch the Tony awards performance from that year on RUclips, 1981 or 1982?
Not a fan of her lower notes on the versus, I feel like she is a lot more comfortable with the higher notes on the chorus.
This song has such a big range that it's hard to do all the notes. I can sing all the notes (high and low) in the key from the movie. The Broadway key is easier for the high note and nicer to the singers' voices. But man, in that key, the bottom note is scraping the bottom of my range. It depends on the day if I can make it sound nice. Marc's so right that hitting it on "tried" is much easier than on "seen."
I’d love to see you review Heaven’s Light/Hellfire from the 2015 Hunchback of Notre Dame!
Thats a common request. I'll have to get to it soon.
i'd love to see you react to andrew rannells singing the games i play, or stephanie j block doing breaking down, i'd kill for some falsettos plss
Coming Kayla, I promise.
Great review! Please react to Leah Salonga singing Let It Go from Frozen as well. Thanks!
I would really like to hear your thoughts on Kristin Chenoweth’s Maybe this time live performance
I think you have failed to mention that this performance was a heightened performance for TV. The points that you criticise her for ‘smiling’ ‘ pageant walk’ etc were because it was a special performance for ‘The View’.
It has been taken out of context.
Also the audience sounds ridiculous! She’s probably trying her best not to laugh at how stupid the reactions sound.
When I went to see it - she nailed it! Amazing performance.
You should do “I’m breaking down” from falsettos!!!
Its coming, dont worry.
@@MarcDanielPatrick thank you 😭🖤
I heard that they are gonna make a film version of JRB's musical, 13. Can you make a review for the obc? I read that 13 is the first all teen cast broadway musical or something...
Unpopular opinion, but I am actually no big fan of Idina Menzel in Frozen. I think Caissie Levy does a way better job at really chanelling Elsa in this song. That said, this performance is not at its best and the critique is right.
Would love to hear your thoughts on Dead Mom from Beetlejuice!
Maybe you should take a look at Zhou Shen version of think of me. His voice is so beautiful, emmmmmmm.... It's like an angel
This is a live version shot by fans：ruclips.net/video/N_hEPatcOc4/видео.html
Of course, he also sang let it go, There are nine different languages . I personally can't accept so many different languages in a song
Much like Wicked and Rent, it is SO hard to follow in Idina’s footsteps. Idina’s voice is so distinctive and her attitude shines thru. This singer falls flat on attitude.
Your videos are great! You should make a react video of Ciara Renée, her voice is amazing, or of Jessie Mueller
This singer CRUSHES the woman in this video: ruclips.net/video/lyST4erETaI/видео.html
I'm sorry with all due respect but I disagree with everything I thought that was the most amazing performance I've ever seen and nobody had me in tears it's easy to critique somebody's work constantly but you have to see it in our perspective we just see Magic and that woman's voice is not standing she deserves an award for that show and I mean damn can you give the woman any credit you could teach her through the whole performance nothing good to say about her
Me when I don’t watch the whole video and hate that professional who is reacting to my favorite actor because they are criticizing them and not praising them 24/7:
Can you do a comparison of Stars from the Les Mis movie and the 10th anniversary concert?
In general having seen The Lion King and Frozen, there's this thing about Disney musicals... an over reliance on the special effects and scenery over actual performance. Vocally she sounds amazing, but her performance has zero energy or strength. She might as well be just songing in a concert.
Am I the only one who thinks she sounds a bit like she's singing through her nose? I mean, it's a matter of personal taste and I've no doubt she is extremely talented, but something about the sound of her voice (is timbre the right word here?) just kinda grates on me.
Can you react to Samantha barks in Frozen too please
React to Carries evening prayers by Alice and Keaton Whittaker
Just love all your reviews and analysis!! Many MANY years ago, Adam Lambert sang “Is Anybody Listening”. Would LOVE to hear your take on his performance. I am putting the link here for you. Incidentally, he has a live performance from when he was in Brigadoon (also a ton of years ago) but it’s unfortunately audio only. Anyway, would love your take on this!
ruclips.net/video/lvwcJUhIa0U/видео.html
Can you please do norm Lewis's version of music of the night when he played the phantom?
Ohhh yes, I will def get to his version.
I kinda prefer caroline bowman’s elsa to cassie’s
hi i'm new to the channel i'm from brazil so send a message to brazilians