This folks, is a true leading lady moment. She went from poor misunderstood Belle, to strong and unapologetically brilliant woman. Love it. She captured the song so beautifully!
She was probably, without a doubt, one of the Top 3 best Belles on Broadway ever, right there alongside Susan Egan and Kerry Butler. Hoping Annaliese returns to Broadway soon someday, she is just lovely.
I had the pleasure of seeing her as Belle on Broadway. I remember this song in particular because when she sang it gave me chills and felt like she blew the dust off the theater's rafters. If she would have paused a few seconds before she went to her father, it would have stopped the show. Wonderful memory. Thanks.
I always return back to this video whenever I want to listen to this song, because her belt is so powerful and this specific version gives it a real emotional broadway feel. It's just so strong and UGH I love it.
In my opinion, this theme is heard in the overture of the 2021 UK Tour, depicting that the world has changed since COVID. And now it’s become Belle’s signature song in the musical (Sorry for “Is This Home”)
I saw Toni do the role and it was Lmt belty at the end. I think they didn’t make it belty time Annalise took over which was near the end of the Broadway run.
What was weird was that this was filmed the same time I was there. July 27 the final Friday of B&B.. All dates were sold out and you can hear the audience talk how much B&B has grown in them after 13 years. It was my first time and it was worth the investment over Wicked at that time (although i could've easily swapped my Lion king tix for wicked to see julia murney) All numbers were given such heavy applause knowing its one of the last times we'll be hearing this from its original run through. Anneliese, which so much like other Disney imports who played belle, was acting like a diva. But no matter, the show remained a spectacle on everyone's hearts those final nights!!
ctn04132 Well Toni was at a high level when she played belle, i woud'nt be surprised if she was acting all Diva that timee. But Anneliese was just weird back in 2007, she probably changed now, but i remember seeing her and didn't even bother stopping to talk to a few fans. I got the same response from most audiences who waited in line to see her after the show. It wasn't like she had tons of filming that year other than that's so raven. But i remember meeting Laura Osnes and that woman despite having a sturdy body guard took the time to talk to me and everyone else, she had a better Broadway record than Anneliese but didn't act all diva like rushing and scribbling signatures.
My friend Christy Altomare is going to be the lead in ANASTASIA on Broadway this season. When they were in Hartford over the summer for the out of town engagement, she took her time and talked to every single person who waited outside. Funny enough, Christy has a striking resemblance to Annelise Van Der Pol.
Michael I. Haber Christy is amazing!! I met her one time before the show and she was on a phone call but I really wanted to meet her and saw she was on the phone and so I backed off, but then she said “let me call you back” hung up and we talked for like 20 minutes!! Such a sweet and talented person
