This was at the Muny in St. Louis. It's an outdoor theater that puts on shows that run for a week or so during the summer. They bring in Broadway stars to support the local company. This was the summer of 2011. As usual, Stephanie gave a clinic on how the Broadway people do musicals. You have to remember that this is an outdoor stage, so the acoustics are less than ideal. SJB blows the audience away (as usual). Is there anything this musical Goddess can't do?
+Connor Twigg Idina has her own, well deserved Tony. What's fucked up is that Sephanie doesn't. If the Pirate Queen had had a long run, no one could have taken it away from her. Such a shame. Well, here's hoping.
+Alyssa Smith thank you!! Even if Stephanie was the original Elphie (personally I don't like her as much in that role) she may have not won that Tony so by default saying she would because Idina did is stupid. Her Pirate Queen and Drood are amazing and I wish she won for the latter especially.
i was in/ helped with this production…. yes every time SJB started to sing(even during warm ups) we all just sat there and listened. We were also sweating to death as this was Missouri summer weather and we had to wear fur costumes lol
Awesome performance. The orchestra is BEAUTIFUL and the pacing is perfect. My only small criticism (if I'd even call it that) is I wish she would have held back on the belting just a tad during the first half of the song- would have made the impact of the belt that much stronger.
I totally disagree. She is strongest in her last verse. Furthermore, That extreme soft technique is the preserve of studio sound or of indoor sound or perfect sound conditions. Here she is in an outdoor theatre where any softer and she would have disappeared.
the singing, the staging -- just perfect --- down on the ground when shes singing an octave below, then standing to go back up the octave and freaking Nailing It! man oh man :)
That lovely cat costume and her expressions when Jemima joins before the final verse (not to mention her singing which sounds nearly effortless and still heartfelt).⭐😿
I don't know how she subtly changed the verse enough to not make it totally noticeable that she sang the wrong verse the first time. They probably didn't care, because she sounds amazing.
I didn't recognize Stephanie when she turned her head to the camera because if all of the white makeup but hearing her voice reminded me that this was her.
She was Elphaba when I first saw Wicked in 2008, and I never knew she portrayed this character and sang this song!!! The very best I’ve ever heard! This song was huge pageant song in the 80’s.
This was taken at the Muny in Sant Louis MO, I was there and of clourse the day I went, Ken Page and Stephanie J Block where also there, and during the JB it started pouring down rain!!!!! Ruined it for me!!!!
MEMORY (FROM CATS) LYRICS Midnight, not a sound from the pavement Has the moon lost her memory? She is smiling alone In the lamplight, the withered leaves collect at my feet And the wind begins to moan Memory, All alone in the moonlight I can smile at the old days I was beautiful then I remember the time I knew what happiness was Let the memory live again Every streetlamp seems to beat A fatalistic warning Someone mutters and the street lamp gutters And soon It will be morning Daylight I must wait for the sunrise I must think of a new life And I mustn't give in When the dawn comes, tonight will be a memory too And a new day will begin Burnt out ends of smokey days The stale cold smell of morning The street lamp dies, another night is over Another day is dawning (Optional verse:) Sunlight through the trees in summer Endless masquerading Like a flower, as the day is breaking The memory is fading Touch me It's so easy to leave me All alone with my memory Of my days in the sun If you touch me, you'll understand what happiness is Look, a new day has begun
In my opinion, she is the only person who has sung the climax of this song at the same level as the original Betty Buckley (whose performance I honestly still prefer). They both balance total vocal command with the abandon and desperation of the moment. Incredible!
+Russell Wright The MUNY in St. Louis. It's an outdoor theater that brings in a few Broadway performers to work with the local theater troupe. The shows typically run for about two weeks in the summer. I believe this was recorded in 2010. These people have no idea how lucky they were to witness this performance. SJB never disappoints!
That may be, but her volume in the beginning is just a bit too much for me, personally. If she had started out singing more softly, it would have made the impact of the belt even more powerful.
Is this a national tour? No offence but it looks like a high school production and the orchestra is very week! A high school orchestra would be better!!!
