This is one of my favorite performances of this song. Gina has such contrast in her emotions. She plays it with such underlying hate and its as if she has actually given up on life. Plus she doesn't sing this pretty, but she does have some vocal chops! I absolutely love everything about this performance and this video. Raul Esparza in adress is nice too!
The most unpredictable interpretation I've ever seen, and devoid of any push on her part as an actor. She simply IS Sally Bowles, dodging emotion as she has hundreds of times before in her life.
Personally, I prefer to see the disturbing interpretation of Natasha Richardson's in which we see Sally's Shangri-La collapsing around her at the hands of fascists. urgency, tension and uncertainty ... we see so much in her face. I've watched this one a few times and I get the sensation that the lyrics are being thrown away.
This, for me, is the definitive performance (that I have seen). Gina simply embodies Sally in every respect. She isn't putting anything on. She is feeling and dodging emotions in turn the way she has millions of times. The contrast from one moment to the next, but it all is a complete performance is just splendid. And it just all around captures the dark and exciting nature of this song and moment in the show like I've never seen.
Wow. Despite feeling alarmed at how often her vowels wander into the Dick van Dyke style of English accents, based on this I'd really love to have seen Gina's entire performance as Sally Bowles
I saw her perform this at Studio 54 back in the 90s I think it was, with Alan Cumming at MC. The theatre was kitted out like a club so it was like we were customers. Best performance of Sally I think I've seen. The woman sitting next to me said she was disappointed Gina wasn't as good a singer as Liza, but I never got that - it didn't make sense. Sally is a no-talent nobody singing in a crappy girly club in the seediest part of Berlin, and she gives up her one chance of happiness because she's scared. It was a fantastic performance. The best interpretations I've seen are always where the actress playing Sally can carry a tune, obviously, but isn't a great singer. Much more powerful.
Gratis to you! Yes, you've portrayed the actual 'Sally' just as history has preserved her. She was not the pop comic book rendition that Liza Minelli gave us by way of Fosse's direction. NONETHELESS, that production is a glorious fairy take for sure.
Gina, I'm sure you'll never read this, but we were waiters together at Joe Allen - LA in the mid 80's ( Remember Mishka Forbes working there too) and I just want to say that i've been impressed by your acting roles and this ...well....damn, girl, you BLEW ME AWAY !!!! Congratulations !!! xo, Bob D in NYC
Her version is my absolute favorite I've ever seen. Her acting is perfect. Not overdone and so different from the performances of others. I aspire to be as great an actress as her.
@nekonuk I don't think Gershon is going for drunk....more high/strung out, which is absolutely realistic and appropriate. For some reason or another, I've yet to see a rendition of this song I love more than Gershon's; it's so layered and bleak. Not even Natasha Richardson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, or Judi Dench's version are as affecting for me...that's not to take away from them--I just find Gershon's version that intoxicating.
boynamedalexxx It's in Dutch, but look up Pia Douwes doing this. Very similar to Gina's, but possibly better if i daresay. Pia nails the I just had an abortion and I'm probably high on pain killers and desperation. Heartbreaking.
Agree 100%. Love the rage and desperation in Harrocks performance . I think that reflects the period portrayed in Berlin and I definently share the echo of it trapped in a Covid-19 lockdown. Horrocks resonated for me.
Brilliance, brilliance. Sheer storytelling ability. Gina Gershon just effectively told you Sally's entire story with her breathtaking performance of this one song.
She's my favorite Sally. I've seen this clip like 800 times. I like Raul Esparza too, but he kind of overdoes it a bit towards the end of the show. His version of the "If you could see her through my eyes" is the best.
I really like it, but I think at a few points, instead of sounding angry, she just sounds kinda drunk. which isn't unrealistic really, but I think it kinda takes away from the intensity of the scene. I do like her interpretation of the song, and her vocals, but I have to say I prefer Natasha Richardson's version. but thank you for posting this!
I never got a chance to see any of the sallys in the revival of cabaret, cause I live in london, so I'm only going on what I've see from videos people have posted here. I think the "without hope" and being thrown onto the stage disoriented describes it very well, and I think it does work rather well, I just think I prefer this number when sally is more angry at the world, a little broken, if you get me. But not as angry as jane horacks angry. she's scary.
