*You can support the channel with RUclips Channel Memberships or through Buy Me a Coffee. Never expected, but always appreciated.❤Links in Description!* She was throwing down and taking us to church!!! UNREAL!!
Jennifer won the Tony for her performance and can you imagine she performed like that for more than 2 years doing 8 shows a week with that level of conviction. She has done gospel and married a preacher and has largely stayed in the gospel lane but she is an icon for many. Also on that stage was two other ladies with long and legendary careers, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Loretta Divine.
I knew when I saw the song you were reacting to that your mind was going to be blown. One of the most powerful voices and emotional performances ever. She was only 21 or 22 at that time which boggles my mind. I love how she can effortlessly (although, I’m sure she just makes it look that way) go from that gritty vocal to those clean notes. She is amazingly talented. If she had a mic, she should have dropped it after that performance.
This musical "Dreamgirls" was about a 60's singing trio The Dreams loosely based on The Supremes. This character was based on the powerhouse singer Florence Ballard who sang backup behind Diana Ross until she was fired and replaced at the zenith of their popularity. Commercially second only to The Beatles, this megastar vocal group is well worth checking out. For impeccable vocal harmonies, try "Come See About Me" or for a banger try "You Keep Me Hangin' On" - two of the twelve (!) records they released that went to Number One on the Billboard charts.
She won the Tony award that night, and dare I say few have deserved it so much as Jennifer Holiday. She did this show 8 times a week for more than two years and she delivered that level of performance every time. Everyone else who was nominated that night - none of them really had a chance. This was more than 40 years ago and Jennifer Holiday is still performing this song today - she's a bit older and a lot thinner now, but she still delivers the same level of passion as she did in 1982. I think this is the definition of OWNING a song. There is just no one who can do it like her.
Also in regards to the mic situation... they are all mic'd up here. If you look close enough you can probably see the mic pack hidden somewhere on their backs and a wire is snaked up through their clothes with a mic usually hidden behind an ear or in their hair to pick up their voices and project it through the speakers. This is how most live theatre is done.
Jennifer Holliday is one of those brilliant performers that only comes around once every few decades. She is THE Effie White (the name of the character in the musical). Everyone else tries to be as good as her. To answer your question about microphones, usually in a musical like this, the performers use "head mics" which are microphones that are attached to part of their face but are usually blended into their hair as well. Usually the mic is either heavily taped to their cheek, or taped to the high point of their forehead, and then the cords from the mike are hidden in their hair and then snake down their back under their clothing. Itʻs the only way to get the crystal-clear sound of their voices without being obvious.
This is one of those performances that sit among the greatest ever. As far as musicals, they are really worth looking into. In the 70s, when I was a kid, my parents had a number of soundtracks to Broadway musicals, so I did grow up hearing some great music from musicals like "Hair", "Les Miserables", "All That Jazz", "Jesus Christ Superstar", etc. As a kid and pre-teen, I was pretty immune to it all but as an adult, when I hear them I'm amazed at how good they are. My Mom also loved the movie musicals from the 50s and 60s, which have some great music and dance numbers.
Welcome to the world of Broadway! Fantastic reaction! Another to check out is Cynthia Erivo singing ‘I’m Here’ from the musical ‘The Color Purple’. Thanks for your wonderful videos.
It's not just the vocals and high notes, but the acting, passion, emotion, she lived and breathed this performance. Plus did it like 8 times a week for years. Untoppable.
This was an Excellent performance! One of the best performances I've seen of this song was when Jennifer holiday (the singer of this song in the stage play performance) and Jennifer Hudson (the singer of this song in the movie performance) sing this song together (at an award show). It brought tears to my eyes.🥹❤
The greatest thing to me about Jennifer's performance his how she, in one song, tries every emotional trick to convince him to stay. She pleads, she begs, she tried to shame him into staying, she's tries to seduce him...everything. The passion, the precision, the control, the acting, all of it IMO is unmatched in Broadway history. The board recording from the opening night is available to hear and in it you can hear the audience screaming, shouting, stomping, crying, and cheering. Normally the board only picks up the performances, but the audience was so loud it can be heard. There is Jennifer's performance of this and then there is everyone else.
I still remember watching the Tony Awards on TV live in 1982 - tears absolutely streaming down my face - just blown away by Jennifer Holliday and this performance.
Singers in musicals (like opera singers) have crazy projection!! If you're getting into musicals, check out Keala Settle singing This Is Me from The Greatest Showman ❤
@@setonhillstudiosthe awards were held on June 6, 1982, and Jennifer was born on October 19, 1960. I'm not trying to be a smarta**, I just want to reiterate the point @reshaud81 was making. The even crazier fact is that she was 21 years old there!
So many people have recorded this song. But this is Jennifers song. You believe it. Her voice is incredible, but I think most importantly you believe it.
This scene is from the musical Dreamgirls. A film version starring Beyonce, Jamie Foxx and Jennifer Hudson was made a few years ago. Jennifer Hudson won an Oscar for playing the same role as Jennifer Holiday. You should watch the movie version if you get the opportunity. It had a great cast.
I liked the movie, especially Eddie Murphy's performance, but the stage play -- I saw touring companies several times as an usher -- was far better with a more realistic ending. Yet, Jennifer Holliday's Effie will always be the one that no one has ever beat.
@@shirleydurr411 Oh for sure, no one can touch Jennifer Holiday. When I was a child, my parents traveled to NYC to watch the original play and loved it. Outside of the movie, I've only seen clips of the Broadway show.
Steven, maybe we need to get you to Broadway! They are usually mixed with the mic in their hair or somewhere hidden. But theater voices are usually very powerful as hers is here. I never saw Dream girls on Broadway but bet it was great.
She never got the "shine treatment" that Jennifer Hudson did when she took over this role!!! Jennifer HUDSON is more famous for this song then This women, Ms. JENNIFER HOLLIDAY, the best to ever sing this song!!!
You should react to Jennifer Holliday's live performance of the Gospel song "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" which is available on RUclips: ruclips.net/video/dpyLoHyqlFI/видео.html Jennifer Holliday was discovered singing in her church in Houston, TX in 1979 at age 18. She was brought to New York City to audition for the Broadway production of "Your Arms Too Short to Box with God," and she landed the role the day she auditioned. Her performance in that musical earned her a 1981 Drama Desk nomination. She next got the role of Effie White in the Broadway production of "Dreamgirls" for which, in 1982, she won the Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical, a Grammy Award for her recorded version of the song "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" which peaked at number one on the Billboard R&B chart, and the Drama Desk and Theater World awards for her acting performance.
I absolutely LOVE your reactions, Stephen! Since you're open to different genres that are "outside your wheelhouse," then I'd like make a suggestion. Actually, I want to recommend four. Hope that's okay. I can 100% promise you that each of these performances with touch, move, and amaze you, each for different reasons. Eva Cassidy, performing Over the Rainbow, live at Blues Alley jazz supper club in Georgetown, DC, on the 3rd January 1996: ruclips.net/video/2rd8VktT8xY/видео.htmlsi=xQBQAOR1XcgobBih Lisa Fischer, How Can I Ease the Pain, live in Japan, 1992: ruclips.net/video/IXrB6PiGWGg/видео.htmlsi=iP3BXSFVDH1A45xr Do Not Be Afraid, by Philip Stopford, performed by Waukee High School A Cappella Choir directed by Amy Hall at the Salt Lake City American Choral Directors Association Conference, February 2015: ruclips.net/video/hOANycXRjlw/видео.htmlsi=78Qm-SqFpEe922i1 Cecilia Bartoli, performing Vivaldi: Agitata Da Due Venti: ruclips.net/video/6czLBVqo_zw/видео.htmlsi=PrWnyjUdPHwOGpqk
Here's a "front of house" (the audio mixing/lights board) recording of a live performance of the same song. It shows that she basically sang with that same conviction, honesty and integrity (it wasn't Just for the Tony Awards) ruclips.net/video/MlXAHdHZRMI/видео.html I'm not asking you to react to it, just leaving it here so you understand what she did 8 shows a week for years. The video you watched is one of the most stunning performances caught on film/video. Not ALL Broadway shows are this "Talented", nor musicals. You just happened to catch one of the BEST your first reaction. If you are open to it, I would suggest Ted Neeley in Jesus Christ Super Star signing "Gethsemane" ruclips.net/video/ndZ6B1EaJEs/видео.html Male singer, completely different subject matter, but the same conviction, honesty and integrity in his performance.
I saw this as a 17-year-old aspiring actor. The choreographer of the show I was in at the time knew someone from the wardrobe team, so instead of having a cast party, we all went to see "Dreamgirls," with Jennifer Holliday -- and we went backstage to meet the cast. I still have my program from the night (autographed of course). The cover used a lot of black ink, and my fingerprints are etched into it, because I'd been sweating and gripping my program so tight during this number (it closes Act 1). I don't think I breathed through it, either. And they did this eight shows a week. Musical theater should be an olympic sport.
*You can support the channel with RUclips Channel Memberships or through Buy Me a Coffee. Never expected, but always appreciated.❤Links in Description!*
She was throwing down and taking us to church!!! UNREAL!!
Jennifer won the Tony for her performance and can you imagine she performed like that for more than 2 years doing 8 shows a week with that level of conviction. She has done gospel and married a preacher and has largely stayed in the gospel lane but she is an icon for many. Also on that stage was two other ladies with long and legendary careers, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Loretta Divine.
Jennifer Hudson was great in the film, but nobody can sing this like Jennifer Holliday!
I knew when I saw the song you were reacting to that your mind was going to be blown. One of the most powerful voices and emotional performances ever. She was only 21 or 22 at that time which boggles my mind. I love how she can effortlessly (although, I’m sure she just makes it look that way) go from that gritty vocal to those clean notes. She is amazingly talented. If she had a mic, she should have dropped it after that performance.
💯
"Hold on...someone tell me why I'm getting goosebumps right now" as Miss Holiday is getting ready to blow your mind. This song is amazing.
This is how you end up being the guy who's into musicals. I should know - I am that guy. Great performance.
This musical "Dreamgirls" was about a 60's singing trio The Dreams loosely based on The Supremes. This character was based on the powerhouse singer Florence Ballard who sang backup behind Diana Ross until she was fired and replaced at the zenith of their popularity. Commercially second only to The Beatles, this megastar vocal group is well worth checking out. For impeccable vocal harmonies, try "Come See About Me" or for a banger try "You Keep Me Hangin' On" - two of the twelve (!) records they released that went to Number One on the Billboard charts.
Goosebumps because she's just that good
She won the Tony award that night, and dare I say few have deserved it so much as Jennifer Holiday. She did this show 8 times a week for more than two years and she delivered that level of performance every time. Everyone else who was nominated that night - none of them really had a chance.
This was more than 40 years ago and Jennifer Holiday is still performing this song today - she's a bit older and a lot thinner now, but she still delivers the same level of passion as she did in 1982. I think this is the definition of OWNING a song. There is just no one who can do it like her.
Also in regards to the mic situation... they are all mic'd up here. If you look close enough you can probably see the mic pack hidden somewhere on their backs and a wire is snaked up through their clothes with a mic usually hidden behind an ear or in their hair to pick up their voices and project it through the speakers. This is how most live theatre is done.
This is why i never say someone is the best There is way too much talent in this world to pick one BUT dam she is amazing
I saw her in Dreamgirls three times in the early 80s. Still so memorable!
Jennifer Holliday is one of those brilliant performers that only comes around once every few decades. She is THE Effie White (the name of the character in the musical). Everyone else tries to be as good as her. To answer your question about microphones, usually in a musical like this, the performers use "head mics" which are microphones that are attached to part of their face but are usually blended into their hair as well. Usually the mic is either heavily taped to their cheek, or taped to the high point of their forehead, and then the cords from the mike are hidden in their hair and then snake down their back under their clothing. Itʻs the only way to get the crystal-clear sound of their voices without being obvious.
Thanks for the insight and you are right; she is a once in a lifetime talent!! So much fun to watch her perform! Phenomenal! ❤️
This is one of those performances that sit among the greatest ever. As far as musicals, they are really worth looking into. In the 70s, when I was a kid, my parents had a number of soundtracks to Broadway musicals, so I did grow up hearing some great music from musicals like "Hair", "Les Miserables", "All That Jazz", "Jesus Christ Superstar", etc. As a kid and pre-teen, I was pretty immune to it all but as an adult, when I hear them I'm amazed at how good they are. My Mom also loved the movie musicals from the 50s and 60s, which have some great music and dance numbers.
I was fortunate to see her on Broadway in early 80's!
No one does it like the original Dream Gurl Jennifer Holiday ❤
PHENOMINAL PERFORMANCE, HERE!!! I KNOW you're going to DIG THIS ONE!!!
One of the greatest to ever do it! ❤ Let's not forget Sheryl Lee Ralph and Loretta Devine in this performance!👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Welcome to the world of Broadway! Fantastic reaction!
Another to check out is Cynthia Erivo singing ‘I’m Here’ from the musical ‘The Color Purple’.
Thanks for your wonderful videos.
It's not just the vocals and high notes, but the acting, passion, emotion, she lived and breathed this performance. Plus did it like 8 times a week for years. Untoppable.
This was an Excellent performance! One of the best performances I've seen of this song was when Jennifer holiday (the singer of this song in the stage play performance) and Jennifer Hudson (the singer of this song in the movie performance) sing this song together (at an award show). It brought tears to my eyes.🥹❤
She is incredible in this song and her performance.
The greatest thing to me about Jennifer's performance his how she, in one song, tries every emotional trick to convince him to stay. She pleads, she begs, she tried to shame him into staying, she's tries to seduce him...everything. The passion, the precision, the control, the acting, all of it IMO is unmatched in Broadway history. The board recording from the opening night is available to hear and in it you can hear the audience screaming, shouting, stomping, crying, and cheering. Normally the board only picks up the performances, but the audience was so loud it can be heard. There is Jennifer's performance of this and then there is everyone else.
8 days a week. Just like this every time.
I still remember watching the Tony Awards on TV live in 1982 - tears absolutely streaming down my face - just blown away by Jennifer Holliday and this performance.
Singers in musicals (like opera singers) have crazy projection!! If you're getting into musicals, check out Keala Settle singing This Is Me from The Greatest Showman ❤
The srv of vocalists. Now you know 😂👍🔥
Jennifer Holliday was only 22 years old in that performance and sanging like that!
Wow!!! 🤯
@@setonhillstudiosthe awards were held on June 6, 1982, and Jennifer was born on October 19, 1960.
I'm not trying to be a smarta**, I just want to reiterate the point @reshaud81 was making. The even crazier fact is that she was 21 years old there!
The look on your face said that she spoke to you! Jennifer is still working and if I'm not mistaken is on tour this year... 2024
So many people have recorded this song. But this is Jennifers song. You believe it. Her voice is incredible, but I think most importantly you believe it.
This scene is from the musical Dreamgirls. A film version starring Beyonce, Jamie Foxx and Jennifer Hudson was made a few years ago. Jennifer Hudson won an Oscar for playing the same role as Jennifer Holiday. You should watch the movie version if you get the opportunity. It had a great cast.
I liked the movie, especially Eddie Murphy's performance, but the stage play -- I saw touring companies several times as an usher -- was far better with a more realistic ending. Yet, Jennifer Holliday's Effie will always be the one that no one has ever beat.
@@shirleydurr411 Oh for sure, no one can touch Jennifer Holiday. When I was a child, my parents traveled to NYC to watch the original play and loved it. Outside of the movie, I've only seen clips of the Broadway show.
She is a monster 👊.
Thanks man. This is one I've never heard of before and that's rare. Love it
I love good musical theater. ❤
You have to see Shoshana Bean singing “she used to be mine”. Talk about powerful! She has a gorgeous voice.
I just wanna say you seem like such a genuinely kind person. Thanks for this video, and I hope you’re well!
That made my day! Thank you so much for your kindness and you have a great day yourself! 😁
Can you believe she was 21 at that time?
What?! 😳😳
@@setonhillstudios yep! Hard to believe isn't it?
Steven, maybe we need to get you to Broadway! They are usually mixed with the mic in their hair or somewhere hidden. But theater voices are usually very powerful as hers is here. I never saw Dream girls on Broadway but bet it was great.
She never got the "shine treatment" that Jennifer Hudson did when she took over this role!!! Jennifer HUDSON is more famous for this song then This women, Ms. JENNIFER HOLLIDAY, the best to ever sing this song!!!
Awesome!
❤
🇬🇧
Great reaction Stephen, (i hope im spelling your name right!). Really happy you enjoyed it. Wasn't Jennifer fabulous? 🎶🎼❤
She was unreal! It’s Steven with a “V” but it’s all good!! 😁
@@setonhillstudios Thanks SteVen with a V, I'll remember that. 😁👍
Find her doing I am Changing from the show too.
The microphones are taped into their hair.
Hamilton (musical)
You should react to Jennifer Holliday's live performance of the Gospel song "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" which is available on RUclips:
ruclips.net/video/dpyLoHyqlFI/видео.html
Jennifer Holliday was discovered singing in her church in Houston, TX in 1979 at age 18. She was brought to New York City to audition for the Broadway production of "Your Arms Too Short to Box with God," and she landed the role the day she auditioned. Her performance in that musical earned her a 1981 Drama Desk nomination.
She next got the role of Effie White in the Broadway production of "Dreamgirls" for which, in 1982, she won the Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical, a Grammy Award for her recorded version of the song "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" which peaked at number one on the Billboard R&B chart, and the Drama Desk and Theater World awards for her acting performance.
Musical theatre
I absolutely LOVE your reactions, Stephen!
Since you're open to different genres that are "outside your wheelhouse," then I'd like make a suggestion. Actually, I want to recommend four. Hope that's okay. I can 100% promise you that each of these performances with touch, move, and amaze you, each for different reasons.
Eva Cassidy, performing Over the Rainbow, live at Blues Alley jazz supper club in Georgetown, DC, on the 3rd January 1996: ruclips.net/video/2rd8VktT8xY/видео.htmlsi=xQBQAOR1XcgobBih
Lisa Fischer, How Can I Ease the Pain, live in Japan, 1992: ruclips.net/video/IXrB6PiGWGg/видео.htmlsi=iP3BXSFVDH1A45xr
Do Not Be Afraid, by Philip Stopford, performed by Waukee High School A Cappella Choir directed by Amy Hall at the Salt Lake City American Choral Directors Association Conference, February 2015: ruclips.net/video/hOANycXRjlw/видео.htmlsi=78Qm-SqFpEe922i1
Cecilia Bartoli, performing Vivaldi: Agitata Da Due Venti: ruclips.net/video/6czLBVqo_zw/видео.htmlsi=PrWnyjUdPHwOGpqk
Dimash Kudaibergen
Dream Girls was loosely based on the Surpreme's story.
Here's a "front of house" (the audio mixing/lights board) recording of a live performance of the same song. It shows that she basically sang with that same conviction, honesty and integrity (it wasn't Just for the Tony Awards) ruclips.net/video/MlXAHdHZRMI/видео.html
I'm not asking you to react to it, just leaving it here so you understand what she did 8 shows a week for years. The video you watched is one of the most stunning performances caught on film/video. Not ALL Broadway shows are this "Talented", nor musicals. You just happened to catch one of the BEST your first reaction. If you are open to it, I would suggest Ted Neeley in Jesus Christ Super Star signing "Gethsemane" ruclips.net/video/ndZ6B1EaJEs/видео.html
Male singer, completely different subject matter, but the same conviction, honesty and integrity in his performance.
I saw this as a 17-year-old aspiring actor. The choreographer of the show I was in at the time knew someone from the wardrobe team, so instead of having a cast party, we all went to see "Dreamgirls," with Jennifer Holliday -- and we went backstage to meet the cast. I still have my program from the night (autographed of course). The cover used a lot of black ink, and my fingerprints are etched into it, because I'd been sweating and gripping my program so tight during this number (it closes Act 1). I don't think I breathed through it, either.
And they did this eight shows a week.
Musical theater should be an olympic sport.