first time seeing a black soprano as protagonist in a Broadway musical. wow. powerful. tearing up. someone who looks and sounds like me. so nice. and it's a beautiful song.
@@eunicen5427 take heart I'm older....and when I was a child in the 80s my Auntie took me to many operas at the MET in NYC And I got to witness Kathleen Battle, Gwendolyn Bradley and Harolyn Blackwell, and Leona Mitchell. All black sopranos/coloraturra. I will say Broadway has lagged behind opera in terms of featuring black Sopranos, but they have been out here starting with Madama Leontyne Price.
If you want to know more soprano, there are Renee elise goldsberry (Hamilton/RENT). Anna Uzele (six) and Nabiyah Be (Hadestown). Their ranks are crazy.
It's impossible to compare Pippa and Denee. Pippa really brings out Natasha's emotions and soul. Denee brings out Natasha's innocence and naivety. The two are EQUALLY amazing, they just bring different things to the table.
I can think of one area where Denée comes up really short: she can't sing the song as written. The song was written for a Soprano with a mixed belt, something that Ms. Benton doesn't have. For about 90% of the song, that's fine, but the ending of the song doesn't swell the way it's supposed to when the singer sings everything in head voice. The song's climax was written to be just that: a climax on a high note. That high note sounds amazing with chest voice mixed in, but the note isn't that impressive without any belt, especially since the note is an E and she hit an F# about 15 seconds ago. Then there are my feelings about Phillipa Soo and dynamic control, but I feel like getting into that would be unfair. This reads like I really hate Denée Benton, but I don't. I saw her twice and loved her each time, probably because her performance was so visual I didn't care about how her voice doesn't really fit the part.
I am so proud that she is my cousin! Since she was a child she has always wanted to perform and put on a show for the family! I'm so thankful to God that she has fulfilled her dreams and she has only just begun! :) Love you so much cousin! Your big cousin Steph
@Kelsey Hyde bruh, did u not listen to the video? her voice is one in a million, im sure someone just heard her and was like. I want her to be apart of this musical. I guess it's luck and talent.
Does anyone else think she would make an AMAZING christine in phantom? She's really good plus it would be kind of refreshing to have a christine who isn't white.
Angelica Schuyler that would be lovely to have a non white christine but the only problem is that this song is very mixed and christine is mostly head voice. I haven't heard Denee do anything strictly head voice but if she could do it and not be breathy then I would love to see it.
Alright here's my whole Pippa v. Denee thing: why not both?!?! They're actually very different sound wise. Pippa sings with more fiery passion while Denee has an attractive innocence going for her. I think they're both equally amazing in their own rights
I think they should perform it together at some point, there's potential for some beautiful harmonies in this song, and they're both amazing at this so imagine how fantastic they would be together
uh... you can prefer denée if you want, but you should also try showing the broadway stars of old some respect? it's nothing like those dear evan hansen wins where the objectively worse show in every regard (to almost every other nominee) kept winning for entirely unknown reasons; bette midler hasn't been famous for over 5 decades for nothing.
I honestly went to see this in New York because I love Josh Groban, but when I heard her sing i was completely captivated, and i fell in love with her voice, I turned to my husband (who i had to drag there because he didnt want to go) with teary watery eyes. Honestly, her voice was amazing it like you can feel it. The entire scene leaves you breathless with wonder.
Oh god, this song breaks my heart. Her voice is so small and fragile, it adds so many different colors to it. I love Philippa but damn who is this girl??
Denee and Pippa interpret the roles differently, Pippa definitely brings out a fight through Natasha whereas Denee brings an innocence and captures it very well. I saw Denee perform many times at ART before Broadway and she killed it every night--especially with the acting--this video doesn't do her justice! But she sounds amazing.
NATASHA The moon - First time I heard your voice Moonlight burst into the room And I saw your eyes And I saw your smile And the world opened wide And the world was inside of me And I catch my breath And I laugh and blush And I hear guitars You are so good for me I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you Oh the moon Oh the snow in the moonlight And your childlike eyes And your distant smile I'll never be this happy again You and I And no one else We've done this all before We were angels once Don't you remember? Joy and life Inside our souls And nobody knows Just you and me It's our secret This winter sky How can anyone sleep? There was never such a night before! I feel like putting my arms round my knees And squeezing tight as possible And flying away Like this... Oh the moon Oh the snow in the moonlight And your childlike eyes And your distant smile I'll never be this happy again You and I You and I You and I And no one else Maybe he'll come today Maybe he came already And he's sitting in the drawing room And I simply forgot
When I first listened to Denee sing this on youtube it was hard to get Pippa's version out of my head, but when I saw the show I can tell you that there is no better casting for Natasha than Denee Benton. She was utterly angelic, she had the youth and innocence that made the character so believable and pure. She has such a trusting, loving energy about her, and she connects with the audience with a perfect ease. She isn't afraid to make eye contact, and being in the front row of the orchestra during "Sonya Alone" I was just crying through the song, and there she was right in front of me, crying and just staring into my eyes. It was so surreal, a moment and a performance I could never forget. She blew me away, and had Bette not been cast as Dolly, I know Denee would have snatched the Tony.
Amidst all the rightful praise of Denée I also wanna give tons of praise to Dave Malloy for putting together the lyrics. Effectively every single line here is pulled directly from War & Peace, as something Natasha either said or thought. Quotes scattered across 100 or so pages chosen and beautifully put together to the music. As much tongue-in-cheek goofiness this show has you can tell Malloy really respected the original text.
God, I've been touched by an angel. That voice comes straight from heaven I swear. The innocence the emotion oh god it's so perfect, I don't know what to do with myself.
I swear that, when I get married, I am going to use this song for my wedding. It is so beautiful and enchanting. The singing and orchestration are so perfect and the lyrics are so well-written. I love you, Denée. You sound like an angel that has been sent by God to perform; I can't believe that you are human - your voice is so incandescent. I wish that there were more singers like you; you are truly gifted. Everytime I listen to you, I get goosebumps. May you continue singing, using your God-given talents and being your beautiful self. One day, I hope that you can perform in London on the West End. May God bless you and all the cast and crew of Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812.
Denée's voice reminds me of a young Kathleen Battle. It's so bright, light, and clear with seemingly effortless perfect diction. It just soars and is so well suited to those ingénue roles.
The editing of this was jarring. Really kind of snapped you out of some beautiful moments that a voice like hers shouldn’t have to share with anything else.
I've noticed that Denee's delivery of the music for this role almost reminds me of Lea Michelle's singing in Spring Awakening. It has a very sweet and innocent quality. Has anyone else noticed that?
I love that pippa originated this role and eliza in hamilton and later denee played both of them, I saw denee in hamilton as eliza and she is absolutley stunning. Both amazing incomparable actresses
I love this song so much.. the opening chords play & tears well up.. One time I was listening to it, happy tears rolled from my eyes & my kitty cat came up to me purring and snuggling.. I wasn't sad, just filled with emotion.. Was the snuggliest my kitty ever was with me..
What a purest voice, so mellifluous a natural God given sweetness Ms. Benton you are sure to see many many brilliant roles in your Broadway career, you have an amazing most beautiful voice and a pride to us all women of every race, credo and avenue of life. Wishing thee very best of successes º namaste Minerva Cynthia González-Strasse 30 03 2017
Saw her at ART in Boston and... I have seen a LOT of theatre. But Denee, singing this song, is the most moving thing I have ever seen. She is beyond words. Denee, if you ever read this... THANK YOU for giving us so generously of your art and your dedication to this craft. You are every kind of beautiful there is.
I don't know why you guys are comparing her to Pippa. Pippa hasn't played this role in a while. Both are amazing and sing this song differently. Stop saying one is better than the other. It's incredibly rude. So just stop.
She has such an incredible voice. This video is jarring in how little time it actually portrays the main vocalist. I don’t really need to see the rest of the cast having a good time as she sings this haunting song - to me it comes off as a slight to her vocal talent. Also i don’t need so many cuts to the musicians etc. Trust in the song and her voice - they are both extraordinary
The moon First time I heard your voice moon light burst into the room And I saw your eyes and I saw your smile And the world opened wide And the world was inside of me And I catch my breath And I laugh and blush and I hear guitars You are so good for me I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you I love you Oooh, the moon Oooh, the snow in the moonlight And your childlike eyes and your distant smile I'll never be this happy again You and I And no one else We've done this all before We were angels once Don't you remember? Joy and life inside our souls And nobody knows Just you and me. It's our secret. This winter sky how can anyone sleep? There was never such a night before. I feel like putting my arms around my knees and squeezing tight as possible, And flying away like this. Oooh, the moon Oooh, the snow in the moonlight And your childlike eyes and your distant smile I'll never be this happy again You and I You and I You and I And no one else Maybe he'll come today Maybe he came already And he's sitting in the drawing room And I simply forgot.
Her voice is BEAUTIFUL 😍😍 And in some parts sound a little similar with Queen Lea Salonga’s voice. If I close my eyes I can picture this voice as Kim in Miss Saigon.
I just saw this performance today and she brought tears to my eyes. Her voice is so beautiful and i found this musical refreshing and magical. i couldnt stop smiling the whole time. everyone was exceptional.
Seeing everyone having fun and hearing Denee sing, it's so amazing. Maybe it doesn't have to be just about loving Andrey, but also all of the great experiences with the cast. I'm not crying
Ms. Denée Benton your voice is so angelic and beautiful, it reminisces me of another wondrous voice, that of Ms. Kathleen Battle. GOD blessings you have a most wonderful on-stage career ahead and hopefully in many other acting-fields like in cinema and theatre, most splendid future B R A V I S S I M O
¡Pero qué preciosidad de voz tiene la Srita. Denée Benton, mis máximos parabienes en su carrera que apenas empieza! BRAVO BRAVISSIMO Esperamos muy entusiasmados tanto los fans de Josh como de Ms. Benton el DVD CD Blue-Ray Album del cast original de "Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812, muchísimas gracias por postarle, me he suscrito también, infinitamente agradecida, marzo 30, 2017
Good lord in heaven. This is the first video I’ve watched of her and holy shit. Why haven’t I heard more about her? Goosebumps everywhere. She brought me to tears. I don’t get brought to tears easily.
Her voice is so smooth and angelic. Her voice can turn any song into a lullaby if she wanted to . I can't listen without crying in a good way! When I listened to this, being submerged into her voice, it baptized me, and until the song ended I forgot I had depression
Such a beautiful voice! I am not really familiar with the US theatre, so this was a very random find and I feel very lucky that it showed up in the recommendations. Absolutely beautiful.
I came looking for this because of a clip in a compilation video (3:17 - 3:25)...her voice is so beautiful and soft while still being strong?? WHO IS SHE AND WHERE CAN I SEE MORE
Both are absolutely perfect. They're entirely separate performances that stand on their own individually. Both brought beautiful complexity to the role and I adore both versions.
