The part at 3:40 where Lillias slides up to an impossibly high note and then Heather blows that same note with the same level of intensity in her face is bone-chilling.
This concert is amazing and provided the only "professionally" recorded version of the entire score. Before I bought the audio recording of this, I had no idea Dreamgirls was mostly sung-through like an opera (how demanding on the performers!) and they really emphasized the theme of "dreams" and doing whatever it takes to achieve them, even when you become dangerous and destructive. Before I heard the full score, I thought "Steppin' to the Bad Side" was only ok and I didn't know the song "Heavy" other than what they showed on film. Then I listened to this concert recording and were blown away by both songs to the point that they're my faves from the score. Audra, Lilias, and Heather as well as every other actor did such a great job considering the limited rehearsal time and how it was just a one-night only concert. Usually, performers peak in their roles on stage a few weeks after opening night or even well into their run because they know better which beats to hit and how to land a line in front of an audience better due to experience....before they start getting bored and going through the motions or do strange things (like become more exaggerated) to keep it fresh for them haha.
I have this recording. It was a one night only concert presentation for the benefit Actor's Fund. No Video was every released but a recording is available. The only Dreamgirls soundtrack I can listen to from start to finish. Casting was super on-point. Who cares who's alto or soprano or melody or harmony... what's important is someone was singing them. Superb performances by legendary actors and this was done before the movie even came out. The real star of this recording though is the score of Henry Kreiger and Tom Eyen featured in it's entirety that did not make the cut for the movie. Little verses and gaps between songs paint an even grander picture of this backstage musical gem. Seth Rudetsky conducted the orchestra and if you don't know him, then i don't even know why you like musical theatre to begin with.
I am a happy man! I've wanted to see this ever since I heard it on the cd. Heavy is favorite part of Dreamgirls, and they're knocking it out of the park!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!
I've always kind of believed that Audra's voice was never right for Deena. That said, I still love her interpretation and the musical acting she provides for the role and saw some of my favorite Deena moments with her in the role.
this was my first introduction to this song. i think its the best uptempo from dreamgirls. i got a bootleg of the obc doing it. the staging of it was brilliant. a costume change between verses was amazing.
I'm not sure Deena is necessarily supposed to have just a "soft sound" but a more mainstream/"acceptable-for-white-audiences" sound versus Effie's "gospel/black" sound...and, maybe more importantly, a perceived visual difference (weight, appearance, style).
@@theoperatripleaxel5417 Yes The Opera because this story was based on The Supremes, and in the actual group Florence had a very strong soprano voice, and Mary has a strong rich alto voice, Diana's voice was always very light and thin, which is why it had more of a commercial sound
I wish they would have originally thought of Effie interrupting and singing Deenas lines in SanFran in the original production. I would've loved to hear Jennifer sing that!! And it makes so much more sense with the lyrics that follow their fairmont hotel performance. Always weird to see Deena sing it uninterrupted, and then they go into asking Effie why shes causing scenes when she didn't do anything 😂
Audra's voice is phenomenal. Strong and powerful, but totally not a Deena voice. Just my opinion. I honestly think Sheryl Lee Ralph was the one who perfectly captured a Deena voice. It honestly seemed like each subsequent actress in the role has had a stronger voice than the last. -.-
I understand what u mean about Sheryl,but Audra did it her way and it was just as good. When I first heard of her doing this role when this concert came out I turned my noise up because I just imagined a lot of "opera" but she proved me wrong. She had a more white feel which was the point, where as Sheryl had that "Diana" feel" had they always said it was not the Supremes
She did do it her way, but when they say light sound, you would think something along the lines of a "Diana Ross" kinda of voice, pretty much Sheryl and Linda. I like Audra, I really do, but as I said, I think her voice is strong, just too strong for Deena's part.
Although her voice is strong, I think her voice has enough differentiation from Lillias and Heather to still pull it off. Her voice is more classic and legit sounding as opposed to Lillias's more raspy rnb sounding voice.
honestly i cant unsee the beyonce Deena! while everyones expecting a low deena voice, im expecting a deena with a lighter higher voice like beyonce and then a supreme soprano like anika!!!
Are you referring to the fact that Deena was made lead for her lighter "pop" voice while Audra's voice has the power of a bulldozer? If so, I agree, bit I enjoy her voice so much I don't care.
Why are the Dreams wearing pants? The dress were infact a character in the movie. I can forgive the singing, and I appreciate the budget was small, but the Dream wearing pants is an automatic thumbs down.
I guess they were going for that New York concert look and also needed outfits they could really move in since they had to do so much of it. They could have done more to sort of pay homage to the original costumes from the original Broadway show or more like the period or at least glammed them up a little bit...like the concert version of Chicago that has turned into the longest-running American musical of all time, but I think this was THE look back then when one did a concert version of shows. I also think the "business casual" all-black look was more "flexible" in going from non-glam scenes to glam scene.
One of the BEST ensemble of musical actors and actresses joined together for a musical that requires vocal acrobatics. Wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!
The part at 3:40 where Lillias slides up to an impossibly high note and then Heather blows that same note with the same level of intensity in her face is bone-chilling.
Andrew Bautista yass heather and Lillias!!
Tbh I didn't know a peanut could belt that high I'm amazed!
INSANE
E5!
“Impossibly high note” is sending me. It’s pretty common for sopranos
WHY AM I JUST DISCOVERING THE MAGIC THAT IS LILLIAS WHITE!?!? 🤯🤯🤯
If you've ever been a fan of Disney's Hercules, then you've already been exposed to the magic (she's the head Muse)
This concert is amazing and provided the only "professionally" recorded version of the entire score. Before I bought the audio recording of this, I had no idea Dreamgirls was mostly sung-through like an opera (how demanding on the performers!) and they really emphasized the theme of "dreams" and doing whatever it takes to achieve them, even when you become dangerous and destructive. Before I heard the full score, I thought "Steppin' to the Bad Side" was only ok and I didn't know the song "Heavy" other than what they showed on film. Then I listened to this concert recording and were blown away by both songs to the point that they're my faves from the score. Audra, Lilias, and Heather as well as every other actor did such a great job considering the limited rehearsal time and how it was just a one-night only concert. Usually, performers peak in their roles on stage a few weeks after opening night or even well into their run because they know better which beats to hit and how to land a line in front of an audience better due to experience....before they start getting bored and going through the motions or do strange things (like become more exaggerated) to keep it fresh for them haha.
The pitch match clap back at 3:45 will never not be iconic
Oh my god Billy Porter looks so young and sounds so different!
His voice is very complex
3:43 is probably my favorite moment in the entire musical!!!
ahahah i feel the same way
YAYA That was so cool...could have fallen totally flat but came off perfect
agreed
I have this recording. It was a one night only concert presentation for the benefit Actor's Fund. No Video was every released but a recording is available. The only Dreamgirls soundtrack I can listen to from start to finish. Casting was super on-point. Who cares who's alto or soprano or melody or harmony... what's important is someone was singing them. Superb performances by legendary actors and this was done before the movie even came out.
The real star of this recording though is the score of Henry Kreiger and Tom Eyen featured in it's entirety that did not make the cut for the movie. Little verses and gaps between songs paint an even grander picture of this backstage musical gem. Seth Rudetsky conducted the orchestra and if you don't know him, then i don't even know why you like musical theatre to begin with.
The third give him up. Yikes shivers down ma spine!
The Diva's are out!!!!!!!!! This is my favorite version of Heavy as well. Thank you for posting.
How is this your favorite? I can't get pass the pants.
@@roshelltannen9698 what?
So much talent on one stage!!!!!!!
PERFECT!!
I cannot imagine a better performance of this particular song. Stars at the top of their game. Chill inducing!
I am a happy man! I've wanted to see this ever since I heard it on the cd. Heavy is favorite part of Dreamgirls, and they're knocking it out of the park!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!
is it just me, or did Lillias appear to almost bite Heather's finger off during the high note? Hahaha!!!!!!!!
Lonell Fletcher ikr
Is there a full version of this somewhere?????? I need this in my life like now
simply one of the greatest production numbers in the cannon
3:32 i d o n t CARE
LETEM AAALL HEEEARE
letem aall
HeeeEEEEAOAOAOOOOA YOOAOOAOAOAURRE IMPOSSIBLE!!
I've always kind of believed that Audra's voice was never right for Deena. That said, I still love her interpretation and the musical acting she provides for the role and saw some of my favorite Deena moments with her in the role.
Thanks for posting!
@DrLennox , take your time. I know how difficult it can be. Thanks for the update !!!!!
this was my first introduction to this song. i think its the best uptempo from dreamgirls. i got a bootleg of the obc doing it. the staging of it was brilliant. a costume change between verses was amazing.
love all of them. grew up listening to them
I'm not sure Deena is necessarily supposed to have just a "soft sound" but a more mainstream/"acceptable-for-white-audiences" sound versus Effie's "gospel/black" sound...and, maybe more importantly, a perceived visual difference (weight, appearance, style).
she is supposed to sound more pop, u r right. The real singers where Diana Ross as Deena and Etta James e Flo (The supremes) as Effie.
@@theoperatripleaxel5417 Yes The Opera because this story was based on The Supremes, and in the actual group Florence had a very strong soprano voice, and Mary has a strong rich alto voice, Diana's voice was always very light and thin, which is why it had more of a commercial sound
I wish they would have originally thought of Effie interrupting and singing Deenas lines in SanFran in the original production. I would've loved to hear Jennifer sing that!! And it makes so much more sense with the lyrics that follow their fairmont hotel performance. Always weird to see Deena sing it uninterrupted, and then they go into asking Effie why shes causing scenes when she didn't do anything 😂
@DrLennox , that would be so awesome!!!!!!! Again, thanks!!!!!!!!
3:40 ... HOLY SHIT.
Audra's voice is phenomenal. Strong and powerful, but totally not a Deena voice. Just my opinion. I honestly think Sheryl Lee Ralph was the one who perfectly captured a Deena voice. It honestly seemed like each subsequent actress in the role has had a stronger voice than the last. -.-
I understand what u mean about Sheryl,but Audra did it her way and it was just as good. When I first heard of her doing this role when this concert came out I turned my noise up because I just imagined a lot of "opera" but she proved me wrong. She had a more white feel which was the point, where as Sheryl had that "Diana" feel" had they always said it was not the Supremes
She did do it her way, but when they say light sound, you would think something along the lines of a "Diana Ross" kinda of voice, pretty much Sheryl and Linda. I like Audra, I really do, but as I said, I think her voice is strong, just too strong for Deena's part.
The original is usually the best & Sheryl, Loretta & Jennifer aren't to be played with then or now
Although her voice is strong, I think her voice has enough differentiation from Lillias and Heather to still pull it off. Her voice is more classic and legit sounding as opposed to Lillias's more raspy rnb sounding voice.
3:10 Me being in chorus class and outsinging everyone
3:41 is awesome. Diva-off!
honestly i cant unsee the beyonce Deena! while everyones expecting a low deena voice, im expecting a deena with a lighter higher voice like beyonce and then a supreme soprano like anika!!!
These people are SINGING!
Speechless 3:42
@lf1234 I had some issues converting videos and I am still trying to resolve them. I see what else I can do.
Are you referring to the fact that Deena was made lead for her lighter "pop" voice while Audra's voice has the power of a bulldozer? If so, I agree, bit I enjoy her voice so much I don't care.
@lf1234 No problem. I'm going to try and post more clips from the concert that aren't on RUclips yet.
that run at 3:10 is out of this world!
this is perfection
The Actor's Fund in September 2001. Fantastic recording. You can purchase it.
@DrLennox
OMG that would be amazing
I certainly got goosebumps!
why is it they cut the part on the cd when she says "One moment D'wight"?
plz post it's all over or one night only
I think that guy also played Javert and Little Mermaid's daddy.
Pamela Agcaoili Yeah. Norm Lewis.
DrLennox, where did you go? Got anymore vids?
2001....
The wows are away out of synchrony and out of pitch sometimes... Audra is killing it!
Is there a reason on the Spotify version of this recording its a bit different? I thought this was just a one time performance.
I believe there were two performances that same day.
@Pnyc1969 you say you don't think Audra was best suited for Deena because of her voice. You gotta remember this is Broadway not the movie theater
Why are the Dreams wearing pants? The dress were infact a character in the movie. I can forgive the singing, and I appreciate the budget was small, but the Dream wearing pants is an automatic thumbs down.
I guess they were going for that New York concert look and also needed outfits they could really move in since they had to do so much of it. They could have done more to sort of pay homage to the original costumes from the original Broadway show or more like the period or at least glammed them up a little bit...like the concert version of Chicago that has turned into the longest-running American musical of all time, but I think this was THE look back then when one did a concert version of shows. I also think the "business casual" all-black look was more "flexible" in going from non-glam scenes to glam scene.