(Not) Getting Married Today - Company OBC, 1970 

thumbs up if you did NOT get here from glee.

This was 48 years ago and I feel nervous for her.

"There's no time to take a breath there" True throughout the ENTIRE song

You really see the enormous pressure she was under. And still a great performance. And she had to do it over and over. Too bad more musicals never make it to film. I think their is another version on OC album.

This is about 50% faster than the current Broadway rendition (and many recordings). Super kudos to her.

Can you imagine doing this eight times a week?

Well, I have increased my respect for Miss Howland. She had the full chops to handle such a challenging song, while it seemed like some of the surrounding principals were acting like she only had to record a rendition of "The Wheels On the Bus."

She deserved a tony just for that rehearsal. She was adorable and incredibly talented as well as the orhestra other vocalists. The sheer raw brilliance of Sondheim. Thank you.

Look at Beth! Cool as a cucumber! Sondheim and everyone giving her direction! She was a pro!

Not many have been able to copy Beth Howland as being the first vocal to champion this piece. She was "married" to the original score. She created this song. Per her request, her death was not known to public until a year afterwards. She was an amazing and funny actress.

I have to congratulate Beth Howland. Sondheim's songs are 90% all about his lyrics, and you have to hear the words being enunciated. This is a hard song to sing, and I heard Ms. Howland completely sing her lines. I love this song -- and Sondheim.

Imagine having to walk on stage every day and have to perform that pattering song. That takes guts. She's a real pro. How many actors could handle it.

Got to know Beth is the 90's and this is the first time I realize she was the original Amy. She was incredibly sweet and kind. So happy to finally see this!

WOW! I didn't know of Beth Howland's career outside of "Alice". Her talent range is incredibly extraordinary. I have such a profound respect for her. Rest in Peace and thank you for bringing joy into the world.

God bless her fitting in that many words with barely breaths.My theater class watched this and I couldn't say anything afterwards.Absolutely amazing.

RIP Stephen. Such a freaking genius.

That sounds really difficult. The speed of the singing, I mean.

"I don't wanna upset ya', but I'd love to have the tune..."

I saw her do the role in 1970. Unforgettable!

Kudos to ANY actress who can master that song .WOW

It's little wonder why Sondheim is so wonderful in the history of the musical theater, he worked with the best of the best. He assisted Oscar Hammerstein II in several of his collaborations with Richard Rodgers and Sondheim as well collaborated with RR after Hammerstein's death. I certainly miss the musical theater of those days, and Company reflected all the best of those years. When I first heard this album in 1971, I was struck by the skill and talent of Beth Howland, later to be our ditzy waitress Vera on Alice. Truly talented.

Beth Howland was a national treasure. A hugely talented singer/actress who was a total one-of-a-kind.

Apparently she is one of the few who can sing it in the tempo in which it was written -- most other singers slow it up a bit.

Still the definitive version in IMHO, every note and word clearly defined.

Nobody ever did this as well as Beth Howland.

I think painful, or "pained" rather, is precisely how this song is supposed to sound :) She's meant to be having a complete panic attack... Do you not agree?

I've watched this so many times and it's always utterly insanely amazing

Her performance was delightful and ‘lightening in a bottle’. Thank you, to Pennebaker & Hegedus for preserving it for eternity.

Part of the "technology" in 1970 was the time limit on an LP recording, and for that reason, very often the tempo of a song was sped up just to save time. Such is the case here; it's just a TINY bit faster than it was performed live (saw it at least 4 times on Broadway and have done 2 productions myself, one as musical director). And speaking of tempi, during matinees of "Follies," Hal Hastings would rush through a lot of the numbers so fast that the singers couldn't keep up, just (I assume) so he could have a longer break between shows!

wow !! Imagine trying to sing this live in the studio in front of all those people!! Whew! This had to be one of the toughest tunes ever in any musical.... almost like Athletics meets music.

You couldn't be more wrong. The color and timbre in her voice is exactly why it's NOT a boring performance, it's really involving and exciting! Actually, that applies to the entire original Company recording, compared to the lackluster 2007 revival. (At least we feel the same about Glee.)

RIP Beth Howland 1937-2015

My goodness, look how young Stephen Sondheim was.

THIS IS AMAZING. Original Broadway cast. And yes, Amy is Beth Howland who went on to appear as Vera (sadly, forever known to the masses as "Dingy") on the teevee show Alice... not the strongest voice, but pulled it of successfully for a good long run! RIP

Wow.. Co-op is so accurate..

Beth Howland was the best Amy EVER! I was fortunate to have seen her play the part on Broadway twice and in San Francisco once.

I’ve had TOBA of ‘Company’ since I was a teen. And NO one has ever sang one of the most difficult songs imaginable better than Beth Howland. Rest In Continued Peace. 😊

I would give anything to see Beth Howland play the role of Amy live!

Bless this footage for existing

I LOVE This. I was born in 1990, but I'm always trying to look at the Making of, and behind the scenes stuff, and it's hard to find on older stuff. So this is really cool.

Wow! Had no idea ditzy Vera was a bona fide theatre actress 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 This song is nearly impossible and she pulled it out beautifully

Sad to hear of Beth's passing last New Year's Eve. Condolences to Charles "Jim Dial" Kimbrough.

The amazing diction one must have to sing this song…she killed it

Wow, she was truly amazing! God Bless you Beth!

sad to hear beth howland is gone. 30 years ago in 1986 life was at its best for me now more people are gone than are left here.

You were such a talent Beth Howland. ❤️❤️❤️

She's freaking amazing.....

First saw Beth Howland when she co-starred on Alice when I was a kid. Bit of surprise that she so talented as a singer.

dang! she's fast. she didn't even look out of breath, amazing!

So sad to hear of Beth's passing.........the original "Amy" from Company..........and "Vera" on "ALICE".........RIP Beth Howland......such a great talent.........listen to hear her BLAST out that difficult patter song........Beth nailed it!!!!

damn she has great breath control to be able to sing this...

Beth Howland, wow! Super job!

Amazing. The level of ability gives me chills, but the song is so FUNNY. I love it all.

What a performance! Love how her expression tenses up at “Listen everybody” after the bridge (3:42). Basically scolding us for not leaving already.

I luv Beth, terrific delivery

Whoa. Go Beth! I so could never have done this song. Not in a million years.

RIP, Beth Howland.

I love Steve Elmore, a wonderful man! And Beth Howland--what an adorable woman! I had quite a crush on her when I was nine years old. Remember the TV show ALICE, where she was the ditzy Vera Gorman? I loved that gal...

Wow half way there the big 50 is coming in March the 14.....I am a 70s baby.. 😍😁😁😁😁😄😄😃😃😊 Biggs. B days are amazing....there are every day

I learned this song recently, and it's so hard. She fucking nailed it though

I'm just relieved she didn't pass out by the end!

This is such a TREASURE!!! I was a huge* "Alice" fan in my youth! That was my first introduction to BETH H. and I've listened to other performances... but HER'S, no question, IS Unmatched!!! R.I.P. BETH HOWLAND R.I.P STEPHEN SONDHEIM {🎁*🎁*} 🙏🏼🙏🏼...💚*

I love the live recording with the orchestra in studio! very awesome, man how doe she breathe and say all that. whoah!!! :)

Okay... Just... Wow!! Love this song, and her interpretation is just amazing.

Beth Howland is epic!!!

@timjmoran this is why Sondheim is a maniacal genius, all of his numbers, as well as all the comedy in them, are so taxing, its amazing when it works, but boy is it physically and emotionally difficult to exicute, Beth Howland's clarity is amazing, this musical is hilariously funny because of the talent that launched Sondheim's and Furth's fantastic creation.

She’s so good it brings tears to my eyes.

Absolutely brilliant!

I always remember how funny she was on Mary Tyler Moore as a woman who forbade Mary from dating her ex-husband.

Thank GOD someone filmed this!

Those Broadway trumpeters are the BEST!

R.I.P., D.A. Pennebaker, the astounding filmmaker who made this documentary, among many others, including "Monterey Pop." Died last week at the esteemed age of 97.

Omg she is ridiculously cute. >.

she's so incredible !

This was on the final exam for my vocal coaching class in broadcasting school back in 1998

Wow!!! Just incredible!!!

She is outstanding.

It’s a patter song. The “tune” is secondary. The delivery is what matters.

Teri Ralston goes to my church, and she helped coach me on my Purcell aria.

the pressure on her my word!

So touching!

COMPANY is the best! Beth was A M A Z I N G

Bravissima era straordinaria non era semplice a tenere il fiato molto bello

That's much faster than usual. Probably the fastest version.

R.I.P.

Soundheim was an amazing writer and director ❤

live version of Beth Howland doing it is even faster

Beth Howland gives great Amy panic face as well as no time to breath lines 🙌

Marvelous!

John Mulaney brought me here.

Wow she's was really great ❤

(As it's been said for many songs,) I'm glad people got here from Glee...but I'm (only) 25 and know this song well and this is amazing.

I have just gotten the documentary "Original Cast Album Company (1970 )" and I am sad that the Broadway show is not on videotape. I have watched a couple of other Company shows but think this was the best version.

thank you

Beth Did this Damn song..lol I would have past out..Miss her

whoa, so fast I couldn't understand, what talent.. RIP

She sings so musically. Great combination of fast, musical and theatrical.

Jason Scott thanks for that, it was nice to scroll down that stupid remark in hopes to seeing a correction and finding you.

And now we have a great parody of this documentary with the "Documentary Now!" episode "Co-Op: the Musical" and their version of this song. He doesn't ding as fast as her, but it's very funny. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-bzcdZEN_fm0.html

R.I.P. Beth Howland........:/