West Side Story- Tonight Quintet (Sondheim Birthday Benefit)
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- Опубликовано: 16 окт 2024
- Jason Daniely and Audra McDonald lead a performance of the Tonight Quintet from the Leonard Bernstein/Stephen Sondeim musical West Side Story. Also featuring Vanessa Williams as Anita and James Barbour as Riff.
Performed in honor of Stephen Sondheim's 75th Birthday on July 8, 2005 at the Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles.
A benefit concert for Children Will Listen, a program of the ASCAP Foundation.
I did not personally film this.
People can say what they want... THIS WAS ABSOLUTE PERFECTION!!!! Vanessa Williams was sultry and confident. with a voice from God! Exactly what Anita should be! Jason Daniely can sing the habit off a nun; he's incredible. And Audra McDonald... are there even words that could justly describe this woman? Even the most lauding of superlatives insult her talent. And all done to the brilliant lyrics of the master. Stephen Sondheim - will you marry me?
I was in the chorus at the end of this concert, and it's still one of my best experiences...being onstage with all these stars? I'd relive that again!
Congrats!!
Good Lord, Audra is a BEAST! That soprano just dominates the rest of the song! She SO incredible!
Audra McDonald is an amazing, generous performer. She's not a beast.
This Tony is incredible!! Oh my God! What a stupendous voice!
How I wish I was there... everytime I listen to the quintet from West Side Story I remember this video of it... It's always memorable to me.
this was...the most AMAZING thing i've EVER heard in my life. wow.
i love audra mcdonald.
All of these performers are absolutely brilliant. But, without question, Audra’s voice is so distinctive that the audience is able to identify her without even seeing her. That’s truly iconic.
Audra overpowers all of them...love her
In any musical i've seen/heard music from my favorite song ends up being the one with every character in it and the climax in the story (Tonight- West Side Story, One Day More- Les Mis, etc..). Great song great version
It is perfect in every way! Just perfect! I get goose-bumps all over me when I listen to this! The music, the vocals... flawless!
This was last July 2006 at the Hollywood Bowl. It was a great show celebrating Sondheim's birthday. Streisand led the audience in singing Happy Birthday to him. I drove 6 hours just to attend.
AUDRA IS A FUCKING GODDESS!!! THAT GIRL SUNG THE HELL OUT OF THAT SONG!!!
Wonderful! Simply wonderful!
For some reason I didn't expect much out of Audra, but DAMN she killed it!!!
More than that, "Tonight" may be an inspiration for "One Day More" from "Les Miz."
"Story so far" songs are a trope as old as musical theatre
I love that the conductor had to go out of his way to show Jason the tempo
Great!!!! i played Tony in our middle school performance. You guys did a great job.
That is ASTOUNDING. I love it!
I love Audra Macdonald! :D
Audra is absolutely amazing.
My favorite Tony I've ever heard.
I love the whole company, actually.
This quintet and Make Our Garden Grow from
Candide are two of the most sublime moments in musical theater rep. Both
routinely produce chills & tears from me.
Bernstein deserves a special place in heaven for them.
They sound perfect to me, with the exception of Barbour's occassional sharpness.
all those boys in the gangs and they couldn't find a single baritone? love audra... clearly.
wow that gave me chills, amazing!
audra the best!!!!
where was this performance?
Audra's C6 is just stunning.
holy canoli I was there! :D It was an amazing show/celebration.
@StandingAtTheMic He is definitely NOT a baritone. Jason Daniely is one of the most exquisite tenors on the Broadway stage today! And it's not "a few steps down." How could he be the only one singing transposed? They would have to move the entire thing, which they have not done. If you're not sure, listen to Audra's last note and then tell me that it's supposed to be higher...
Vanessa Williams sounds and looks great.
JASON. DANIELY.
I love when Jason Daniley enters. He sounds a lot like Colm Wilkinson in the beginning.
I think everyone is perfect! Its not a broadway performance, its a gift to Sondheim. And these are all great stage performers, so stop saying how much they suck.
I was one of the performers later at this concert!
Totally agree with you about Barbour, he's painfully sharp and if anyone looks too old, it's him, not Danieley. Truly Jason's Tony was awesome. The two female soloists? Gorgeous vocally and visually.
uhhh....the Jets and Sharks looked like they were on opposite bowling teams or something. And the volume of their portion....weak. Or were there simply not enough of them.
Oh and Paul Gemignani rules!
I've played Bernardo in WSS and the beginning of the quintet is really low for the guys to sing. Most guys tend to be light baritone so it's definitely not in the strongest part of the register which is why it's harder to project and the volume does suffer as a result, especially competing against the orchestra. It sounds a lot better in film/studio recordings because of course the levels can be altered.
I agree that they don't seem to entirely be with the orchestra, although I think the complaint of them being "too old" is ridiculous. No, none of these people would ever be cast in these roles, but as it's a concert its really just about voices (and to a certain extent, celebrity).
I also agree about Audra. I think that woman is incapable of being anything less than amazing.
How do u know audra!!! I've always wanted to meet her. that is SOOOOOO COOL!!!!
Audra's C makes me happy =)
sunshynluver,
That's how the original arrangement is written.
audra is divine
Audra... that noteeee!! I just stroked out!!!
that was shiver-mania. lol
Yes.
There were a lot of things movie audiences in the sixties couldn't take that were perfectly fine to theatre audiences. It's still the same way now in a way.
"Tonight" sounds like the inspiration idea for "One Day More" in Les Miz. I don't mind really. If one is to lift song ideas, Sondheim/Bernstein is a wonderful source.
Maybe because the chorus wasnt given any microphones and they had to yell out the lyrics louder than the rest? I am not sure, but I suppose you're right... Despite all that however I love it!
the sharks and jets look like they should be bowling haa
You are absolutely right !!!!
i love sondheim... he makes me happy.
Maria is exceptional too... she just came in when I published the other comment. xD
I came here to watch VANESSA AND AUDRA!!
exactly. ever heard the Les Miserables tenth anniversary concert? several of those singers may not be cast in those roles at their age, but they sound fantastic (all except Colm Wilkinson, who sounds every bit the age Val Jean is at the time of his death). and because it's live, there are mistakes. it seems like someone has screwed up in every live performance I've ever seen. but I digress. this, in my humble opinion, was fabulous.
Were the Jets and Sharks rival bowling teams?
AUDRA! Amazing!
@xGleekOfTheWeekx That's Jason Daniely very well-known in his own right and also married to Marin Mazzie...I'm not sure which one of the two makes me more jealous..
Heh I love hiim as well.
We did West Side at our high school, and I know a boy who sings almost exactly like Jason, but he refused to try out for the show because he thinks musicals are dumb.
Ironic much?
Stephen Sondheim, lived next door (as a youth) to the famous lyricist, Oscar Hammerstein. I'm sure Oscar was constructive in helping Stephen develop his talents.
Did Jason hit the high C with Audra?
What is Vanessa Williams vocal range?
You KNOW her?!?
omg, how?
that was great. shame the recording of it was kind of crappy. wasnt sure if it was the equipment or improper microphone placement though
@Rockin77 Who says they aren't?
And in tune, too!!
I don't like James Barbour as Riff, and the chorus could've been a bit fuller in the beginning, but other than that, I loved this clip. And I agree, the Tony was a little too low (by that I kinda mean he sounded to old for Tony, but he still sounded good). Audra was great.
Sondheim just did the lyrics right? So who are you to criticize bernstein? (;
Jason Daniely - mm mmm mmmm. His voice gives me chills. But what's up with the ill fitting suit.
Chills!!! :D
Audio was nice
WOW
I was impressed with Miss Williams. Nice job. Audra was great. Jason was great. Too old for Tony? He's not playing Tony...he's singing a song. Sigh. Some people.
Somehow I can't picture the Cripts and the other hood gangs singing stuff like this during a drive by.
Love James Barbour but he is so flat here.....others are terrific
Does anyone else think that James Barbour is a little too old to be playing Riff? He's an AMAZING singer and actor, but Riff?
Eh, not enough James Barbour.
I think you are right on all counts, but Jason Danielly is a bit too mannered for my taste. This just does not jell.
this doesnt work at all...