The Best of Times Dennis quilley George hearn and Buz Butler

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  • Опубликовано: 17 дек 2009

Комментарии • 87

  • @DanishNerdess
    @DanishNerdess 11 лет назад +28

    I watched a Jerry Herman documentary in which George Hearn said that during the run of the show they had lost over half of the cast and crew to AIDS. And I think you can definitely detect an underlying sadness when he sings this song, especially in the very beginning, and it just makes it all the more powerful.

  • @amadeusmedusa134
    @amadeusmedusa134 5 лет назад +21

    This is how La Cage should be performed. too many versions camp it up and reduce it to a pantomime. well done !!!

  • @dayfan1962
    @dayfan1962 10 лет назад +32

    The emotion and intensity of the lyrics are conveyed expertly by the actor, Hearn. I like Doug Hodges' rendition but he plays it more for camp and humor. The lyrics touch me deeply and this actor's rendition is by far the most moving; his voice is extraordinary!

  • @cottingleybaby
    @cottingleybaby 7 лет назад +22

    Dont look anywhere else on RUclips this is the best version of this classic musical .

    • @plutobeliever
      @plutobeliever 7 лет назад +5

      I saw Hearn on Broadway with Dorothy Loudon in Sweeney Todd, then in 1984 as Albin/ZaZa in La Cage...the man is an incredible actor...who never overly pursued the PR route, as some less talented actors have done...that's why George Hearn was not always on the Power's That Be radar...though he could out perform most other actors...he once stated he's actually an introvert, but theater helped him to adapt to extrovert moments...he's going to be 83 on June 18th...great guy...

  • @FRANKTHRING1
    @FRANKTHRING1 8 лет назад +30

    This is a great example of a true musical ensemble, every performer acting, singing and dancing their hearts out. Hearn & Quilley are superb; I love the way Brian Glover as the grumpy father suddenly joins in and dances very well with a twinkle in his eye.

  • @hs7921
    @hs7921 4 года назад +7

    I grew up on a diet of terrible drag shows and movies. So to hear somebody sing in their natural voice, without any pretence, and look like they are enjoying it, is wonderful.

  • @rosscityofliverpool.983
    @rosscityofliverpool.983 7 лет назад +17

    I went to see this show in London, it was just stunning, this song was sung and almost took the roof of and this is the only version you should watch, nobody else can do this song and whole show any justice apart from this great bunch of stars.....

    • @christiannewling3859
      @christiannewling3859 5 лет назад +1

      I worked on the show and you're absolutely right. It was fantastic. And a great bunch of people to work with.

  • @peerkbh
    @peerkbh 11 лет назад +8

    So glad that you mention that. It is just a ironic that Jerry Herman - the composer and lyricist was diagnosed with HIV two years after the opening night of La Cage.To the best of my knowledge, Mr Herman never met the love of his life, but he can look back on a career where he gave us gays anthems like I Am What I Am and many others. And he also gave those of us living with HIV hope and proof the HIV, although a serious disease, can be overcome. Mr Herman is a gay icon.

  • @andrewbibby2414
    @andrewbibby2414 11 лет назад +8

    I was fortunate enough to see this, original production...well, revival, in the late 80's... I was 15 when I saw this at the London Palladium.... never forgotten... it has a place in my heart

    • @philipwood5284
      @philipwood5284 7 лет назад

      Me too :-)

    • @christiannewling3859
      @christiannewling3859 5 лет назад

      I worked on that production. It was a great show and people. I still think about it all these years later.

    • @joannetailor4094
      @joannetailor4094 5 месяцев назад

      Me too. Sad but still better than stinky now.😢

  • @invictaboy3944
    @invictaboy3944 5 лет назад +6

    I saw this at the Palladium, Gay Pride day in the 80's. Its as good now as it was then but seeing that cast again brings back a magical time and the best "feel good" musical ever

  • @Murph3579
    @Murph3579 10 лет назад +10

    A great happy-go-lucky song to remind us of the need to enjoy each moment. Each day. Each experience. It might not come again. Cheers !!!

  • @theatrain1323
    @theatrain1323 6 лет назад +12

    Jerry Herman. The king of the grand production number that sends audiences out of the theater on a major high.
    From Hello Dolly to Mame to this song he just kept topping himself. Dolly is probably the best known, as for the long run of the musical and Louis Armstrong’s amazing hit single, which in 1964 knocked the Beatles out of the number one spot on the Billboard 100 for the first time in 14 weeks.
    Personally my favorite of the three is this recording of “The Best of Times,” which I have been known to set on repeat and have it play 10 or 12 times.
    That year in the Tonys La Cage was up against Sunday in the Park with George and Herman when receiving the award for best score took a shot at Sondheim with his statement that “the simple, hummable tune" was still alive on Broadway. Whatever the merits of “Sunday in the Park,” producing a popular song was not one of them.
    It can be understood that Herman was not happy with the mantra of Sondheim that any composer could write a hummable tune if he or she wanted to, but writing hummable tunes added nothing to the substance of the serious musical play, and might even detract from the play through pandering to the public.

  • @kennethwayne6857
    @kennethwayne6857 3 года назад +7

    Interesting that George is paired here with Denis Quilley who was in some ways the British George Hearn. Besides being the original London Sweeney Todd he had a background in Shakespeare and opera like Mr. Hearn.

  • @lordalessan
    @lordalessan 10 лет назад +38

    From playing homicidal barber Sweeney Todd to kind-hearted drag queen Albin. George Hearn is AMAZING!!!

    • @Rocketjay12
      @Rocketjay12 3 года назад +2

      I had the pleasure of seeing George Hearn and Angela Lansbury in Sweeney Todd many years ago here in Chicago. This is now my favorite version of The Best of Times. George Hearn is amazing!

    • @kennethwayne6857
      @kennethwayne6857 3 года назад

      He is the best! I've been blessed to see him in a wide variety of roles and he was superb in every one of them.

    • @jamesmoyner7499
      @jamesmoyner7499 3 года назад +1

      @@Rocketjay12 I thought Len Cariou did Sweeney Todd with Angela Lansbury. Was this just a British toured version.

    • @ladyjennyanytime5195
      @ladyjennyanytime5195 2 месяца назад

      @@jamesmoyner7499 George took over from Len, and this recording is the West end cast at The London Palladium from 1986-87. it only ran for a year cuz the UK gutter press printed ridiculous stories saying that because the show contained gay characters that it would attract gay men to the show and that they might be HIV+ and pass it on through the theatre seats. utterly ignorant and ridiculous. but people believed it and it killed the show eventually.

    • @jamesmoyner7499
      @jamesmoyner7499 2 месяца назад

      @@ladyjennyanytime5195 Well, thank you for the information and I’m sorry to hear that a smear campaign was run against the show.

  • @glamhausslevin4940
    @glamhausslevin4940 28 дней назад

    My beloved La Cage 😍 Had the great privilege of being Denis’ dresser on this production. The loveliest and most talented man in the West End. Absolute darling. George Hearn - what a gentleman! The genuine love between these two was a joy to behold and the atmosphere they created at the Palladium was pure magic. Happiest show ever. It should have run and run….

    • @LillianHawkins-p6b
      @LillianHawkins-p6b 4 дня назад

      He was a lovely man knew them when I was young a lovely family lisjten to this singing every day im 77 years old now brings memories back

  • @ThePilot314
    @ThePilot314 10 лет назад +5

    what a wonderful musical! I love it so much and I hope that in near future I will have the luck to see it life in N.Y. WITH my two beloved daughters. And when it would be x-mas time .......... together ice skaiting in the central park. That would be so wonderful and I will be very happy. ......................... ONLY A DREAM.

  • @carloshugogeib7961
    @carloshugogeib7961 Год назад +1

    I das this wonderful musical in Buenos Aires, a fantástic production, and at the end ALL públic sang this song togheter It moves till today. What night

  • @tracer740
    @tracer740 7 лет назад +3

    What a beautiful song! It is spirit lifting ... and unforgettable.

  • @Murph3579
    @Murph3579 8 лет назад +5

    Great to hear and know that Jerry Herman is alive and well and committed to having an impact on the musical theater scene like he has done for decades, enriching our lives with memorable works of genius. Best Wishes!!

  • @gordonbuckle233
    @gordonbuckle233 3 года назад +2

    This timeless signature tune seems as fresh today as when I first heard it, oh so many years ago. The problem is, that the melody haunts me, and I replay it mentally for days after I hear it. So many good renditions of this work have graced the stage over the years and the vastly successful revival on Broadway not that long ago, has been enjoyed by countless fans. None of the versions however, reached the pinnacle of artistic performance achieved in this triumph.

  • @davidpayne697
    @davidpayne697 4 года назад +3

    Can we please remember that Dennis also played Sweeney and created the role in London. One of my absolute favourites too!

  • @EybrahamDTX
    @EybrahamDTX 2 года назад +3

    who in 2022 for Jackass?

  • @edelweisssmith5345
    @edelweisssmith5345 5 лет назад +2

    George Hearn has an amazing voice

  • @bubi1716
    @bubi1716 4 года назад +1

    Rest in peace, Jerry. You sure did make now the best of times.

  • @laurencesantos2651
    @laurencesantos2651 5 лет назад +2

    Just amazingly beautiful!

  • @Murph3579
    @Murph3579 8 лет назад +2

    I will never forget seeing this at the Palace Theater in NYC. I was outside on opening night. Gene Barry and George Hearn were extraordinary. Jerry Herman the world misses your genius. RIP! 😇

    • @seamus1956
      @seamus1956 8 лет назад +1

      Don't write off Jerry just yet. Unless it happened in the last 48 hours, the wonderful Jerry Herman is still alive and kicking at age 85. Both he and his artistry will live on: they've recently announced a Broadway revival of "Hello Dolly" with Bette Midler in the title role. Gonna be a Tony favorite - and they haven't even announced a theater or opening date, yet. Awesome!!

    • @plutobeliever
      @plutobeliever 7 лет назад +3

      I personally knew George Hearn in the early 1980's; his performance in La Cage in 1984 was tremendous - I was 20 feet from the stage in a corner seat and each time he sang, the house exploded with applause, ...I've seen him in several other live performances since then...he's such a talent and a very modest and kind man...George is now 82 years old, happily married with two sons, ages 19 and 17...God Bless you George...

    • @zackstark24601
      @zackstark24601 7 лет назад

      Will Be at Shubert Theatre

    • @joecascone2189
      @joecascone2189 5 лет назад

      "Jerry Herman RIP"? Mr. Herman is 87 years old and very much alive in Miami Beach, Florida!

  • @MegaGum1
    @MegaGum1 13 лет назад +3

    My Denis
    x

  • @derekmaine
    @derekmaine 13 лет назад +1

    Fantastic Performance

  • @MissPoochSmooch
    @MissPoochSmooch 10 лет назад +15

    Who'd ever think that two great Sweeney Todds (Hearn & Quilley) would play gay lovers in a musical!?!??!?!?!??

  • @benbarrie4235
    @benbarrie4235 5 лет назад +2

    I love this, and was lucky enough to have work ed on it, but have to admit this bit was a cue I didn't look forward too! La cage was the 1st West End show, with moving sets, and sometimes they moved when a taxi went by, because of radio signals, at the end of the number we go into a nightmare, with the set All parting, including the two doors at the back, there was one of us each side to pull a rope, at exactly the same time, everything else moved auto on tracks, including the furniture, Great Show, and yes Buzz Butler was in la cage, he was one of the lead girls,

    • @MrCrowebobby
      @MrCrowebobby 3 года назад +1

      Wonderful bit of insider theater knowledge. Thank you so much for this. I worked in theater for 35 years, but never in a production of this complexity and sophistication. (Who was Buzz Butler, if I'm not too late?)

  • @MICHAELHUGHES-ik7iq
    @MICHAELHUGHES-ik7iq Год назад

    My favorite song from this show!!!

  • @YouGandered101
    @YouGandered101 12 лет назад +1

    This is such a catchy song!

  • @andrewbibby2414
    @andrewbibby2414 11 лет назад +1

    its a special show...love is love is love x

  • @patrickhamilton6207
    @patrickhamilton6207 2 года назад +3

    Wow. Hearn is in amazing voice here. I gather this is a London production? I didn’t know Hearn ever took it out of NYC. What year?
    One of my most memorable nights in the theatre was seeing the original 1983 production in the very last preview before opening night. The buzz had gotten around town about it being a landmark musical, reason being it depicted a loving romantic portrait of 2 men, etc… AND the first act closing song.
    Well, the crowd was definately a local(in) theatre crowd, and let me just say this… when Hearn sang I AM WHAT I AM at the close of the first act, with the lyric, “so it’s time to open up your closet…”. the roof of The Palace Theatre might as well have just blown right off. The entire audience went berserk. It was thrilling. Of course nobody heard the rest of the lyrics/song, but it didn’t matter. Quite a night. I felt like I was witnessing (theatre) history. I think I was

    • @ladyjennyanytime5195
      @ladyjennyanytime5195 2 месяца назад

      He camre here to the UK to do it in the West end. It only ran a year as our disgusting, homophobic press killed it at the time with false reports saying that theatre patrons might catch Aids from sitting in theatre seats gay men might've sat in. totally killed the show here.

  • @dragonflytheatre8468
    @dragonflytheatre8468 4 года назад +4

    You can't watch this after Jerry Herman's death without crying just a little bit. (Then again, no one ever could in the first place.)

  • @cosycleaner
    @cosycleaner 12 лет назад +1

    How lovely to see Brian Glover too.

  • @georgialerangis2123
    @georgialerangis2123 7 лет назад +1

    Love is love is love and always has been.

  • @Prostar369
    @Prostar369 12 лет назад +1

    Tremendous finale.....you'd have to go some to beat it!

  • @geoffcohen4652
    @geoffcohen4652 5 лет назад

    I was lucky enough to have worked on a production with Walter Charles and Leroy Reams. And a certain Jerry Herman graced us with a visit or two. To bring today’s genius to Jerry....he understood the fundamental truth: Love is love is love is love is love is love....

  • @TheWagbert
    @TheWagbert 13 лет назад +2

    He wasn't supposed to be passing himself off as a woman except for the meeting that meant so much to their son.Nurturing, loving and raising your partner's child by someone else even though that child's conception was a betrayal -those qualities aren't reserved to just one sex. The way he was dressed was as his son's mother..This musical 's about being comfortable in your own skin, and not being ashamed of yourself, your parents, even if your "mom" is the star of La Cage Aux Folles.

  • @clconenyc
    @clconenyc 14 лет назад +6

    Too Bad the Brit Douglas Hodge who won the Tony for reprising this role can't sing like this...I saw the show when I was a boy in 84 with George and Gene and I can't believe the quality singing they allow on broadway these days compared to what we used to have....Just unbelievable to me. Can someone tell what's happening? I mean am I going crazy, but there is no comparing the singing quality between the two right? Just bizarre to me strange and bizarre...

    • @plutobeliever
      @plutobeliever 7 лет назад +2

      Oh, I so agree with you...everyone is miked these days...and very few are classically trained as George Hearn was...that's why he was able to sing at such a high quality...without a mike....later, in his late sixties, seventies, he was miked such as for the Sweeney Todd Concert 2001 with Patti Lupone, who also was miked...I miss his presence on Broadway...

    • @terrasoars5006
      @terrasoars5006 6 лет назад

      NICE CHEST!

  • @jamestravers6665
    @jamestravers6665 6 лет назад +1

    They didn't do the wig bit! But I loved this, this song is so very powerful!

  • @alpersurucu8975
    @alpersurucu8975 3 года назад

    The best of times is now,
    What's left of summer but a faded rose!
    The best of times is now,
    As for tomorrow, well who knows,
    Who knows, who knows!
    So hold this moment fast (hold it fast)
    And live and love as hard as you know how (you know how)
    And make this moment last (moment last)
    Because the best of times is now,
    Is now, is now!
    Now! not some forgotten yesterday,
    Now! tomorrow is too far away!
    So hold this moment fast,
    And live and love as hard as you know how,
    And make this moment last,
    Because the best of times is now,
    Is now, is now!
    The best of times is now,
    What's left of summer but a faded rose!
    The best of times is now,
    As for tomorrow, well who knows,
    Who knows, who knows!
    Now! (this is the moment we should take)
    Not some forgotten yesterday
    (Yesterday is just a faded memory)
    Now! (don't let this moment go to waste)
    Tomorrow is too far away! (too far, too far away)
    So hold this moment fast,
    And live and love as hard as you know how,
    And make this moment last,
    Because the best of times is now,
    Is now, is now!
    The best of times is now,
    What's left of summer but a faded rose!
    The best of times is now,
    As for tomorrow, well who knows,
    Who knows, who knows!
    So hold this moment fast,
    And live and love as hard as you know how,
    And make this moment last,
    Because the best of times is now,
    Is now, is now!
    (Perry Como ?)

  • @ThePilot314
    @ThePilot314 10 лет назад

    So sorry David! I lost my father when I was 23 years and he was only 48 years old. BUT ............ I would like so very much to see La Cage with my two beloved daughters! I hope we will manage it :-)

  • @smartcar01
    @smartcar01 11 лет назад

    Trust you dear xx

  • @joannetailor4094
    @joannetailor4094 5 месяцев назад

    😢

  • @dameblancherumare9418
    @dameblancherumare9418 11 лет назад +1

    Good Lord, that's one of the Boswells from Bread... Adrian something...

  • @kimikomashima
    @kimikomashima 4 года назад +2

    The Best of Times
    Toon
    The best of times is now.
    What's left of Summer
    But a faded rose?
    Tae
    The best of times is now.
    As for tomorrow,
    Well, who knows? Who knows? Who knows?
    Kim
    So hold this moment fast,
    And live and love
    As hard as you know how
    Pang
    And make this moment last
    Because the best of times is now,
    Is now, is now.
    Film (ตุนเต้ประสาน)
    Now, not some forgotten yesterday.
    Now, tomorrow is too far away.
    Boys
    So hold this moment fast,
    And live and love
    As hard as you know how.
    Girls
    And make this moment last,
    Because the best of times is now,
    Is now, is now.
    Music
    Boys
    So hold this moment fast,
    And live and love
    As hard as you know how.
    Girls
    And make this moment last,
    Because the best of times is now,
    Film (ตุนเต้ประสาน)
    Now, not some forgotten yesterday.
    Now, tomorrow is too far away.
    All
    So hold this moment fast,
    And live and love
    As hard as you know how.
    And make this moment last,
    Because the best of times is now,
    Is now, is now

  • @terrycorby2629
    @terrycorby2629 5 лет назад +1

    Forgot Brian Glover was part of the cast

  • @mariagomezacebo
    @mariagomezacebo Год назад

    Whats the name of the song?

  • @YouGandered101
    @YouGandered101 12 лет назад

    @MrCrh8 Are you serious?! This man is the best!!!

  • @mariagomezacebo
    @mariagomezacebo 6 лет назад

    Subtitles please

  • @Milordvega
    @Milordvega 6 лет назад

    What is Daddy Warbucks doing in this musical? :)

  • @YouGandered101
    @YouGandered101 12 лет назад

    How is Buz Butler in this?

  • @BoyBlamYT
    @BoyBlamYT 2 года назад

    Wheres the wrecking ball?

  • @Pandammonia
    @Pandammonia 13 лет назад

    I might be wrong, but is that Merle Louise at about 3:09? I know she was in the original cast...

  • @Gatonfrusciante11
    @Gatonfrusciante11 11 лет назад

    Jackass 2 credits :)

  • @horerfandod3
    @horerfandod3 13 лет назад +3

    @MrCrh8 the deepness of his voice is suppose to be funny. thats what makes it ironic. he walks like a woman, talks like a woman, acts like a woman, lings like a woman, but sounds like a man. thats what makes it funny. and what makes it funnier is that the girls parents accually believe that hes a woman.

  • @kgldude
    @kgldude 13 лет назад +1

    I love George Hearn and he is a spectacular performer...but I would find it hard to think that he's a woman. The Dindons have to be a bit deaf to not realize that his voice is a bit too manly.

    • @MrCrowebobby
      @MrCrowebobby 3 года назад

      Listening to his voice while watching him perform in drag may trick the ear as well as the eye. I've worked with drag queens and that can be the case.

  • @arnoldstollar5375
    @arnoldstollar5375 5 лет назад

    Johnny Depp was the best Sweeney Todd “ .