I love how when the story first introduces Johanna she looks the part of the stereotypical 'princess' type character; simple, heroine, mentally stable, and always makes the right choices, however through the lyrics and the story Johanna is none of those things.. I love how complex she is , borderline crazy , as you would expect from someone who has been held captive and had been sexually abused their whole life. That's why Johanna's voice can't be delicate when there is so much pain behind it. Also in the song green finch and linnet bird, the birds symbolize Johanna, so it's only fitting that her sound replicates that of a caged bird.
same for me, I first thought Johanna was that kind of Princess when she made her appearance, didn't like her that much, but then later I noticed she was Traumatized, almost about to go Insane (like her Mother did) and that she Reflected All what she had been Through, and I really liked her, those things make her so Real, I love that, I love this Musical...and even though I don't have an Idea of how would be my "Perfect Johanna's Voice", I think Celia did Great here, she has an Awesome and Beautiful Voice...
Like father like daughter. I love that in one verison. Where Johanna was the one to pull the trigger killing the dr. Meanwhile her father is slitting throats. Basically, if both have the opportunity, they don't skip it
As I've said multiple times, Johanna was originally played by an opera singer. You can say that you dislike operatic singing, but you can't say that isn't how Johanna is supposed to sound. But also as I've said multiple times, Celia is not an opera singer. She's an MT belter who happens to have a nice and fairly strong upper register.
Her vibrato seems so beautiful and effortless, as does her high notes...HOWWWWWWW She's truly something special not to mention she is one of the most talented musical theater ACTRESSES as well
This is the most perfect performance of that song I've ever seen or heard! It's so beautiful but it still maintains the borderline insanity needed to play Johanna
In my opinion, you can act insane and still sound good. In fact, the look on her face is creepy at some points in this performance, and she didn't have to butcher the song either. Look at the way she hands the food to the birds...she looks out of it.
This is the most beautiful song. I am so glad that you uploaded this by request. This has and will help me so much with style for when I compete with this song at a talent contest. Thank You! :)
Wow! This migh be the best version I have ever heard if this song. From when she first started singing, I was hooked. When she first started hitting the high notes, I was like, "Oh crap, she started so good and now she's gonna kill it with too much vibratto," but it was totally fantastic. I love this girl, this was absolutely beautiful!!
All these years, and somehow I hadn't seen this one before. Wonderful, wonderful CK-B knocks another difficult piece right out of the park. Her "I Wish It So" from Juno (also on RUclips) is similarly magical.
Actually, Sondheim said that when being performed in an opera house, it's an opera, and when performed in a theatre, it's a musical. I personally would call it a dramatic operetta.
@ChristyEmanualson I personally didn't like the movie version she isn't really supposed to be sweet and quiet she is actually going insane from years of being abused and held captive by Turpin in the same house. But everyone has their own opinion I guess.
Stage Sweeney never has an English accent. She isn't overpowering, she's hitting the notes like they're meant to be hit. You can't claim that Burton knows more about Sweeney than the man who composed it, and he cast an opera singer as Johanna.
I know that Celia doesn't consider herself a soprano (and isn't suited to the stereotypical ingenue roles), but her Johanna and Clara in Piazza make me really wish that she played more roles that required her gorgeous upper register.
She's amazing! I do think that Johanna is supposed to be more 'delicate' sounding but that's not to say that this isn't a fantastic rendition. Every version can't be the same... one has to make it unique and suiting to the actor somehow...
you are AMAZING! a true pleasure to listen to....this song is a weapon when sung by less-golden voices. thank you for being gentle and caressing to my ears!
WOW, This is THE best version I have heard, not screechy, not too warbly, its perfect... I've played Sweeney in this show and I think it has to be done quite operatically because all of the music in the show is quite operatic, Sweeney Todd is often called an Operetta. The girl in the movie does not sing the song how Sondheim intended it to be (was written to be a show, not a movie after all), she's not a singer primarily and it shows, however her voice is pretty and its quite a nice performance.
Green finch and linnet bird, Nightingale, blackbird, How is it you sing? How can you jubilate, Sitting in cages, Never taking wing? Outside the sky waits, Beckoning, beckoning, Just beyond the bars. How can you remain, Staring at the rain, Maddened by the stars? How is it you sing Anything? How is it you sing? Green finch and linnet bird, Nightingale, blackbird, How is it you sing? Whence comes this melody constantly flowing? Is it rejoicing or merely halloing? Are you discussing or fussing Or simply dreaming? Are you crowing? Are you screaming? Ringdove and robinet, Is it for wages, Singing to be sold? Have you decided it's Safer in cages, Singing when you're told? My cage has many rooms, Damask and dark. Nothing there sings, Not even my lark. Larks never will, you know, When they're captive. Teach me to be more adaptive. Green finch and linnet bird, Nightingale, blackbird, Teach me how to sing. If I cannot fly, Let me sing
A few months ago I saw her as Mary in the Encores production of "Juno" which was another soprano role which she sang wonderfully. Her "I Wish It So" was a highlight of the production.
I 've performed this role at SUNY Oswego's Theater program and this song is very hard to sing. She sings it beautifully, gorgeous voice. Where is she now?
I didn't know she could sing like that.... Not that I didn't think she wasn't capable, but I've seen her in more quirky roles (Saved!, Spelling Bee, etc.), and I never imagined Celia as a legit soprano.
She created the role of "Olive" in the OBC of 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee, played Eponine in Broadway revival of Les Mis, and played Mary in the Encores production of Juno in 2008. She also created the role of Clara in the pre-Broadway run of The Light in the Piazza (before Kelli O'Hara took over). Recently she starred in the off-Broadway musical "Saved" (based on the film) and since then she's been doing some workshops.
I love how when the story first introduces Johanna she looks the part of the stereotypical 'princess' type character; simple, heroine, mentally stable, and always makes the right choices, however through the lyrics and the story Johanna is none of those things.. I love how complex she is , borderline crazy , as you would expect from someone who has been held captive and had been sexually abused their whole life. That's why Johanna's voice can't be delicate when there is so much pain behind it. Also in the song green finch and linnet bird, the birds symbolize Johanna, so it's only fitting that her sound replicates that of a caged bird.
same for me, I first thought Johanna was that kind of Princess when she made her appearance, didn't like her that much, but then later I noticed she was Traumatized, almost about to go Insane (like her Mother did) and that she Reflected All what she had been Through, and I really liked her, those things make her so Real, I love that, I love this Musical...and even though I don't have an Idea of how would be my "Perfect Johanna's Voice", I think Celia did Great here, she has an Awesome and Beautiful Voice...
Like father like daughter. I love that in one verison. Where Johanna was the one to pull the trigger killing the dr. Meanwhile her father is slitting throats. Basically, if both have the opportunity, they don't skip it
I don't think she needs those birds to "teach her how to sing." I think she's go the singing thing down. Yeah. She's awesome.
As I've said multiple times, Johanna was originally played by an opera singer. You can say that you dislike operatic singing, but you can't say that isn't how Johanna is supposed to sound.
But also as I've said multiple times, Celia is not an opera singer. She's an MT belter who happens to have a nice and fairly strong upper register.
What’s a mt belter
@@joshbogtrotter4449musical theatre belter
Her vibrato seems so beautiful and effortless, as does her high notes...HOWWWWWWW
She's truly something special
not to mention she is one of the most talented musical theater ACTRESSES as well
This is the most perfect performance of that song I've ever seen or heard! It's so beautiful but it still maintains the borderline insanity needed to play Johanna
"Or simply dreaming? Are you crowing? Or screaming?" The way she sung that almost drove me to tears... stunning voice
Her rendition is stunning!!
In my opinion, you can act insane and still sound good. In fact, the look on her face is creepy at some points in this performance, and she didn't have to butcher the song either. Look at the way she hands the food to the birds...she looks out of it.
I agree with Lakme. This is the best version I've heard; not even "one of them." The. Best, IMHO. Good job, Celia.
I have intense chills all over.
This is the most beautiful song. I am so glad that you uploaded this by request. This has and will help me so much with style for when I compete with this song at a talent contest. Thank You! :)
I'd like to hear Kristin Chenoweth sing this :3
she did, look it up you'll probably find it!
I want to hear Sierra sing this!
Wow! This migh be the best version I have ever heard if this song. From when she first started singing, I was hooked. When she first started hitting the high notes, I was like, "Oh crap, she started so good and now she's gonna kill it with too much vibratto," but it was totally fantastic. I love this girl, this was absolutely beautiful!!
High notes need vibrato or else they sound like, as my voice teacher puts it, "canary in the coalmine."
All these years, and somehow I hadn't seen this one before. Wonderful, wonderful CK-B knocks another difficult piece right out of the park. Her "I Wish It So" from Juno (also on RUclips) is similarly magical.
Actually, Sondheim said that when being performed in an opera house, it's an opera, and when performed in a theatre, it's a musical. I personally would call it a dramatic operetta.
@ChristyEmanualson I personally didn't like the movie version she isn't really supposed to be sweet and quiet she is actually going insane from years of being abused and held captive by Turpin in the same house. But everyone has their own opinion I guess.
Wow, she is so talented. What a beautiful voice!
Stage Sweeney never has an English accent.
She isn't overpowering, she's hitting the notes like they're meant to be hit. You can't claim that Burton knows more about Sweeney than the man who composed it, and he cast an opera singer as Johanna.
Preach.
This is my favorite performance of this song! ❤
I know that Celia doesn't consider herself a soprano (and isn't suited to the stereotypical ingenue roles), but her Johanna and Clara in Piazza make me really wish that she played more roles that required her gorgeous upper register.
I like this girl's voice so much better than the one in the movie's
Omg. Hands down best rendition.
She's amazing! I do think that Johanna is supposed to be more 'delicate' sounding but that's not to say that this isn't a fantastic rendition. Every version can't be the same... one has to make it unique and suiting to the actor somehow...
Not supposed to be delicate, she's insane from all that sexual abuse she's had for all those years
Omg what a STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL voice!!! I would kill to have her voice. Absolutely amazing.
im a fan of sweeney todd, but until this version I've never really liked this song. celia just made it amazing!
The musical is tremendously popular and was before the movie, even if in its day it wasn't.
He didn't change the song, he just shortened it.
Thanks for posting! Celia is one of my favorite Johannas (along with Lisa Vroman and Sarah Rice)
Incredibly beautiful. One of my favorites!
you are AMAZING! a true pleasure to listen to....this song is a weapon when sung by less-golden voices. thank you for being gentle and caressing to my ears!
Celia Keenan-Bolger as Joana=PHENOMENAL!!!!!!!! :)
She's just such a good actress, too. You really get a great sense of Johanna's desperation here.
Great breath control...
Her voice is spectacular. This is the one version I love listening to - the other ones are too screechy or vibrato-y.
Definately best version I've ever heard. Bravo =)
goals.
I love this version! I'm learning this song now its the complete opposite of easy!!!!
Wow... Her voice is really awesome!!!! I love it man!!
It's about time someone with a good voice plays Johanna. Love this!
Johanna's supposed to seem a little nutty. Her neuroticism shows even more in "Kiss Me."
Wow the best johanna i've ever seen! bravo!
Beautifully done! The best Johanna I've seen. Thanks for posting :) The tempo may be a little slower, but she has the voice to pull it off.
She is amazing! I would love to see her as Christine in Phantom or Cosette in Les Mis.
AH!! CKB as Johanna...this needs to happen every day, forever. she's brilliant.
WOW.
That. Was. Amazing.
Her voice is so lovely!! xD She sings this song perfectly!
Never gonna get over this
WOW, This is THE best version I have heard, not screechy, not too warbly, its perfect... I've played Sweeney in this show and I think it has to be done quite operatically because all of the music in the show is quite operatic, Sweeney Todd is often called an Operetta. The girl in the movie does not sing the song how Sondheim intended it to be (was written to be a show, not a movie after all), she's not a singer primarily and it shows, however her voice is pretty and its quite a nice performance.
incredible. celia is one of my idols.
she sure was singing to that bird ... just to the bird lol but she song this so beauyifuly
Better than in the movie by far. In my opinion, this is what the song is SUPPOSED to sound like.
This is INCREDIBLE.
Wow blew me away...
just saw her today in Peter and the Starcatcher... talk about multi-talented; she really can do anything!!!
WOW!
she is AMAZING
she should have been in the movie!
amazing! congrats!
She is awesome, lovely voice.
Oh my gosh this is AMAZING! It was always my dream to be in this play but I have a horrible voice:( you are truely talented!
absolutely beautiful
I don't know how people get there voice that high, it's incredible
Great rendition! I still do believe, however, that Sarah Rice's is the best
Omg this is so beautiful!
This is mind blowing. She's incredible.
Green finch and linnet bird,
Nightingale, blackbird,
How is it you sing?
How can you jubilate,
Sitting in cages,
Never taking wing?
Outside the sky waits,
Beckoning, beckoning,
Just beyond the bars.
How can you remain,
Staring at the rain,
Maddened by the stars?
How is it you sing
Anything?
How is it you sing?
Green finch and linnet bird,
Nightingale, blackbird,
How is it you sing?
Whence comes this melody constantly flowing?
Is it rejoicing or merely halloing?
Are you discussing or fussing
Or simply dreaming?
Are you crowing?
Are you screaming?
Ringdove and robinet,
Is it for wages,
Singing to be sold?
Have you decided it's
Safer in cages,
Singing when you're told?
My cage has many rooms,
Damask and dark.
Nothing there sings,
Not even my lark.
Larks never will, you know,
When they're captive.
Teach me to be more adaptive.
Green finch and linnet bird,
Nightingale, blackbird,
Teach me how to sing.
If I cannot fly,
Let me sing
I am officially so jealous of her! she is so phenomenal.
Wow her voice is truly stunning.
she is awesome i wish i would have seen this live
i love her voice soo much!
A few months ago I saw her as Mary in the Encores production of "Juno" which was another soprano role which she sang wonderfully. Her "I Wish It So" was a highlight of the production.
OMG, how beautifully.
so incredible.
This is really good. I'm really impressed.
what a gorgeous voice!
I love her vibrato!
I think it's because she wasn't trained as a soprano. She didn't even realize she had those notes until they asked her to audition for Johanna.
I cried!! I actually cried! What a voice!!
oh jeez... she's amazing.
Amazing. Just... wow. She has a beautiful tone and the vibrato isn't heavy. It just sounds perfect.
She is amazing!
Gorgeous!
Wow that was SO much better than the movie. This girl is an AMAZING singer. =]
Fantastic!
Musicals aren't about the actors or actresses, they're about appreciation for the music.
"Beckoning" = agony.
she's got a beautiful and powerful voice.
Wonderful!
Her "maddened by the stars" sounds perfect.
she has a lovely voice
Beautiful. This is how this song SHOULD be sung.
I love it!
Gorgeous song! Best version by far.
I 've performed this role at SUNY Oswego's Theater program and this song is very hard to sing. She sings it beautifully, gorgeous voice. Where is she now?
Beautifully sung.
amazing voice!!!!
definitely, her vibrato is awesome. its like she flips a switch in her vocal chords and it just goes off, (if that made any sense). i loveee her voice
I didn't know she could sing like that.... Not that I didn't think she wasn't capable, but I've seen her in more quirky roles (Saved!, Spelling Bee, etc.), and I never imagined Celia as a legit soprano.
OMG SHE IS SOO GOOD!
very nice
i love this sing
just perfect
She created the role of "Olive" in the OBC of 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee, played Eponine in Broadway revival of Les Mis, and played Mary in the Encores production of Juno in 2008. She also created the role of Clara in the pre-Broadway run of The Light in the Piazza (before Kelli O'Hara took over). Recently she starred in the off-Broadway musical "Saved" (based on the film) and since then she's been doing some workshops.