Audra McDonald - The Glamorous Life (Sondheim's 80th)

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[@RudigerVT]

This is a killingly difficult song. Audra was on stage with the great singing actresses of Broadway. Each of whom hit a home run with songs that pose their own unique challenges. But, by any measure, this was the hard one. And she not only sang it, she nailed it. She conveyed the moment in the show but also delivered the vocal goods. This is why she wins a Tony award in every role. She is utterly divine.

[@tonywrestles2]

Larry Rudiger Not *every* role. She didn't win for Marie Christine, although she damn well should have.

[@MrDuffmann22]

yes, at first i was like why does she get this song when the others get like deeper songs, but i realize this song is very deep plus fast paced plus higher than the others. How does a little girl even sing this song?

[@RudigerVT]

Her Bess was transcendent. In the shadow of Mary Leotyne Price, Leona Mitchell, she just nailed it.

[@Ivyleenow]

Agreed.

[@withonelook1985]

Except she's won more tonys than all the other women on the stage combined...

[@misfittoys5873]

One of Audra's plethora of gifts is her ability to just disappear into characters; I 100% believe for 4 minutes that she's 16 years old. Also I just teared up seeing Marin Mazzie and Elaine Stritch sitting in the background.

[@phoenixnyc]

"Also I just teared up seeing Marin Mazzie and Elaine Stritch sitting in the background." You're not alone!

[@jonathanapple4828]

Damn it stop reminding me about Elaine and Marin!

[@BilalEllis]

Now that Sondheim has passed this hits even harder..

[@TheReturnOfStephan1]

Exactly! I can literally picture everything about which she's singing!

[@KT-sq2ml]

Yes!!! 😊

[@jpink308]

This is Sondheim's most underrated song. It is just so perfect. God he was such a genius :) Not to mention how brilliantly Audra sings and acts this song! In her eyes alone, you get all of the song's emotion.

[@drbobperkins]

This song is in Audra’s wheel house. She sings this difficult song effortlessly!!!! What a great talent

[@phoenixnyc]

I do feel he was feeling extra sadistic when he wrote it, though.....😁

[@KT-sq2ml]

Agree 100% ❤❤❤❤

[@KT-sq2ml]

@@phoenixnyc hahaha!! Truth!

[@HellsGayngel]

And she sits down as if she made absolutely no effort. Good god what a performance.

[@RichardGambles]

*she sang tpractically entirely in falsetto* no she didnt, do you know what fallsetto is? she is singing in good old fashioned head voice. legitimate soprano. deary me. this is great stuff

[@michaelmiller1215]

Richard Gambles Actually, she’s a Mezzo.

[@Vi6ration]

@@michaelmiller1215 full lyric soprano

[@maxaustin3377]

Richard Gambles I don’t know the difference between falsetto and head voice. Is falsetto not just what it’s called when men sing in their head voice?

[@henryanderson6752]

Max Austin I *think* falsetto is that airy light voice men go into. Again, I *think*.

[@maxaustin3377]

Henry Anderson well if I’m wrong then that explains why I didn’t understand anything my singing teacher tried to teach me about head voice

[@LegionIvory]

This is my introduction to this woman, and I am in awe.

[@francoisbessing]

You must watch when she sang Climb Every Mountain....I can't listen to any other version of it anymore...:/

[@MarcosIsABaritone]

What an introduction! I'm so happy for you!

[@ebbilovesmakeup]

Please listen to her “how glory goes” album. It’s transcendent.

[@jpetersgoyanks]

She is the Broadway Diva equivalent of Meryl Streep.

[@suzannebracker8219]

You have to watch her sing here is to the ladies who lunch. She’s spectacular. Her voice is amazing and she’s twice as beautiful.

[@littlelizzyann]

She set a pretty high bar for every teenage community theater kid out there. This is a complicated (because she's kinda both the mother and the daughter) and amazing performance.

[@mattdeans9873]

I agree with Larry. She is a superstar. To sing in a head voice for so long and able to enunciate each and every word. WOW. And to make the song come alive! This is why she has earned all those Tony Awards.. Brava!!!

[@seanyates5769]

It’s not her head voice. She’s a Soprano 1. Her range is out of this world.

[@MadameCorgi]

@@seanyates5769 it's chest in the lowest parts and a mixed in the rest.

[@christophercobb249]

This is one of the few songs that makes me actually cry with joy, because the construction is just so extraordinary. We just do not deserve Stephen Sondheim. But I think we got him so that he could both diagnose all our ills and foibles, and also could show us the best of which we are capable as humans.

[@dianecristina3319]

True take.I met him once and didn't know who he was till I saw the pictures when he died.He asked me alot of questions and come to think of it he did not let you answer the question in a roundabout way he wanted a true direct answer,reoeating the question if necessary.I've had lots of therap and can now see how he was like a therapist.He keep go on and on asking more questions till he was satisfied you answered w/out embellishment.Partly playing along as I have a degree in Psychology was interested in his approach.After it was done I said thank you for speaking to me.He was tough guy from my Father's generation.

[@seanyates5769]

Audra is this generations Broadway Diamond. There’s no one like her.

[@michaelmiller1215]

A heartbreaking song. And a glorious operatic voice on the Broadway stage showing flawless interpretation!

[@lucegoose789321]

her voice is like melting butter, sliding down a sheet of silk, and elegantly falling onto a bed of fluffy clouds, its so beautiful!!!

[@alphabet-agencieskontoraru1540]

SILKY LIGHTNING ➡ SLIDING DOWN THE SPINE - that what her charming voice & shining looks do, blidening the view too

[@kennethhamlett10h]

MS. McDonald is almost supernaturally talented. This is a complicated & difficult song, but she performs it perfectly & makes it seem almost effortless. She is a gift to the industry & to her audiences.

[@seanyates5769]

Jennifer Hudson and this Woman playing Mother and Daughter as Aretha and her mother is by far the best casting. Here’s hoping Respect finally closes the EGOT chapter for Audra.

[@colinmccarthy8072]

This will always be the greatest thing ever. The beat change on "Which is lovely I hear" is literally breath taking

[@wilsonwatt9283]

Probably one of the greatest voices ever to sing on Broadway. I saw her in Master Class with Zoe Caldwell and the interactions between them were like lightning in the night sky.

[@rrrusty49]

Oh oof, found this right after browsing past this video. You are so right! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmOyaYGQma2FpNk

[@thamestango]

Some people post garbage ! This whole sequence of six broadway ladies singing their hearts out in variety of different styles is so thrilling. Audra makes something special of a marathon, and possibly the least interesting song, but she brings it alive. All so different, but marvellous, and Elaine Stritch shows that once you have it you never lose it, even though the voice may go. I saw her in about 1973 in a Tennessee Williams play in London, and she was amazing !

[@williamskelton325]

Such a difficult song to sing...and she does it beautifully..her voice is magical

[@abigailmartinez5086]

I really didn't need another video to remind me that I love Audra McDonald but she is sublime. She deserves ALL six of her TONY'S . GO AUDRA!!!!!!

[@InfinteSaint]

I find myself coming back to ALL of these performances, but Audra McDonald sang this so beautifully, and not just sing, she PERFORMED!!

[@ez88uc]

Donna says it best at the end... Bravo! Audra completely stuns in this number and shows us her incredible training and nature way she can become any character. Astonishing.

[@bmh4d0k3n]

How does this woman make every song she sings so real? Amazing.

[@hektor_schmidt]

Audra McDonald doing justice to a great Sondheim tune.

[@chateauxmargaux2414]

I have seen Audra during live performances. She is simply amazing!! This is amazingly good.

[@tomlanderos2437]

Audra MacDonald is an incredible soprano. She’s amazing. Google her, she has how many Tony’s? She’s a once in a lifetime talent.

[@ros8986]

6 - which is the record for most Tony's - she has won in all four performer categories (10 nominations as of 2023)

[@davidwallace5503]

This is incredible. The last "life" tinged with sadness/wistfulness/hope/despair, how the hell does she do that?! The trumpet writing (and playing) during the last "sometime this summer" section. What incredible art this is. When it starts I feel like I'm on the most incredible fairground ride that just doesn't let up! BRAVA!

[@Slowlondon]

Patti in the background of all the clips - as good as the singing :D

[@martinkennedy2541]

I've watched these amazing performances so many times. So many comments about how astonishing they are...all true. And to perform like that with Broadway royalty five feet away. Unbelievable. But just take a moment and think...all these amazing, diverse, stunning songs by one man. Sondheim. I grew up with Gershwin and Porter. Never felt Webber and Schoenberg were their equals. But Sondheim...always exquisite, unique, beautiful. American treasure.

[@wickedintorent]

This is the woman who made me love musical theatre. In the disney version of Annie... I know lame but she was the mother I always wanted.

[@emilynewhouse9450]

this is the comment that has made me want to go watch with the Disney Annie!

[@darianjofficial]

not lame.

[@mrrusteeshackleford]

Not lame at all! I consistently rewatch that version just for Audra, even though it’s FILLED with Broadway greats!

[@Sugarshack22]

She just sat down like she just finished polishing her nails...STAR!!!!

[@californiagold3857]

What a difficult song to sing, but Audra nailed it from start to finish. Fabulous singer.

[@michaelcarrara4857]

She captures the elation of a child so well in her facial expressions. Brava Audra!

[@lewiswilkinson5198]

That orchestration is sublime

[@raynejames-raney7845]

Audra! Im so late seeing this , but I grew up watching you. Thank you for inspiring me and countless other brown kids who dreamed of being on the broadway stage! Thank you for daringly defying standard casting tropes and breaking barriers for all actors. Thank you for displaying your talent through your vulnerability! I hear you! When you sing, " Ordinary Mothers don't know that they're just standing still".. My heart sinks. You remind me of my mother and the sacrifices she made to live a "Glamorous" Life. Please continue to be so Beautifuly inspirational! You will always be my Hero. - Love, Rayne

[@christopherlundgren3499]

She not only sings this song to perfection, but she looks fantastic in that dress! Fit and toned and kicking ass!

[@db1032]

I have add the very good fortune to have seen, in person, Audra McDonald (concerts, Carousel, Ragtime, Marie Christine, Master Class, Porgy & Bess, Shuffle Along, 110 In the Shade, Lady Day at Emerson's, etc). She is a huge talent. This performance of "Glamorous Life 'is indeed a standout. As Donna Murphy appears to be saying on the stage - BRAVO!!

[@Nanananaheyhey1]

This was the first time I was exposed to the talent that is Audra McDonald. I remember watching this and being completely captivated by her performance. She made me a fan that night

[@aharper12]

I love how Patti loses herself in each vocalist!

[@user-ih4fd9sf8x]

Yes! And you know what? It makes you think that people that say she is hateful towards other artist is wrong. She just enjoys excellence, and you can see it here

[@drbobperkins]

How is this not a more celebrated Sondheim song, that was a 10/10 vocal performance. Breathtaking.

[@dauphinstreet]

Assigned to Desiree's daughter, in no production of the show has this number ever been sung so musically and by such a glorious voice. What a brilliant choice.

[@VidRackoff]

Intellectually I know how sophisticated this is both in writing and performing. But they both make it feel like it’s so obvious and plain what this person is feeling. Amazing and “effortless”.

[@morganmaddocks9373]

i sang this with my voice coach and still get night sweats bc of it

[@MusicMan-dv7jg]

We used to see Audra when she was indeed 11 years old in the Junior Company pre-show at Roger Rocca’s Dinner Theater in Fresno. Her parents would drive her every night and wait outside while she sang. The junior company singers were stars of tomorrow. She was fantastic then, also. We had no idea we were seeing a future mega-star.

[@longlivethegays]

I loveeeeeeeeeee this songggggggggggggggggggg sometimes it gets stuck in my head and i need to come listen to AUDRA. no one else.

[@shekolacarrington4522]

Honestly. This lady is frigging Goals

[@brianeduardo1234]

The irony of the song... beautifully interpreted... very difficult song to sing well...

[@Arkelk2010]

+Brian Eduardo I think we're listening along the same lines...I see doubt in Aurdra's singing towards the end that perhaps the glamorous life is not indeed as good as having a mother around all the time. Good character development in the song.

[@renagadeluke]

From what I've learned, Falsetto is a wispy airy tone. Whistle is a rare register that not many people have (I personally only know one man and a couple women who have some whistle notes)...Though if the tone is pure (with support, fullness and vibrato) it is not falsetto, it is "head" if you want to use that term.

[@terikamaunu4877]

Audra makes one cry for this young girl child.

[@Satin5963]

Outstanding opera trained voice!

[@phoenixnyc]

Got to see her do a concert a couple of years ago--on Super Bowl Sunday. First Super Bowl I'd missed since 1978. Not. Even. Remotely. Sorry.

[@magus9130]

I love how much they ALL LOVE what they do and what each other does. Everyone leans out, in order to become a part of the audience, for every great production. It's just great.

[@paulgduckworth]

I keep coming back, and having new love affairs every with this song, I don’t have the full musical vocabulary to say why, but I know it’s complex, layered, difficult, beautiful and much, much more. Thank you Mr. Sondheim, I didn’t find you until I was 40, but I’m never letting go, even though you are gone 😔

[@ameliaatherton4130]

I am IN LOVE with this video! Haven't stopped watching videos from this concert for months!

[@slivertoe]

She pulls me back to this song again and again.

[@joelleneker2729]

WOW! she rocked this very vocally challenging song

[@californiagold3857]

What a fantastic singer!!!

[@MegaMorphTronpages]

4:10 Marrin and Donna are literally me after this performance :)

[@tomasdrake]

What a glamourous voice

[@mecano1us]

An absolute, and consummate artist. She's in my bucket list to see live!

[@ros8986]

2023 fall - Audra is touring

[@KT-sq2ml]

I just LOVE the way she gives her hair a little flick after she returns to her seat!! Like it was just nothing at all to perform. Whoosh! 😊❤❤

[@PlumLikesMatcha]

THIS IS MY ASTOUNDING INTRODUCTION TO THIS WOMAN

[@silentsmurf]

Nice! My introduction to her was watching her win a Tony lol

[@PlumLikesMatcha]

@rowan orre ooo okay thank you!

[@stealahb]

every time i hear Miss Audra sing this, there are tears. it does something to me. so good!

[@Cherylwrites]

Brava. Lots of difficult phrasing. Beautifully done.

[@tessapritchett-white0329]

I’m now in a show called “A tribute to Stephen Sondheim” because he has passed. 😢 I am 12 and I get to sing this song. It is very challenging but very fun!

[@donkraar1116]

Six Tonys! Six Tonys are just not enough!

[@laughingman_confused]

If I'm in that crowd of singers, I'm like: Not going to sing after that woman.

[@barbaracole4314]

She's on private practice, playing a Dr and married to one, she is so beautiful I didn't know that she could sing ,a whole lotta talent.

[@ros8986]

1998 - Audra singing My Man is Gone - you must hear it (on youtube)

[@robertversluis5744]

Her voice is medication for my soul. Glorious.

[@Cc-is3is]

This song is stuck in my head it is so amazing her voice is amazing she is so talented love watching Patti in the background swaying to the song just enjoying the love and talant on stage

[@gaylebonacorsi3221]

i somehow wanted to sing - stuck in the goo on the steps of the palace.... amazing singers all of them. their voices is only a dream that I could sound 1/4 as good as they do.

[@leftofpleb1829]

Anyone here praising Audra’s everything, I 100% agree! I’ve watched this video at least a hundred times. However, upon this watching, I had a meta moment. Truly, I’m a lazy fan and know next to nothing about these fabulous females actual lives, but JESUS, I have to assume some of them, at least, are mothers. To those non-ordinary mothers on stage here, no matter how many times they’ve heard (or sang) this song, being confronted with this particular performance must’ve been extremely difficult. Goddamn, I’m love Sondheim!!!

[@Melissa-tw2gp]

The level of technical skill you need just to sing this song, much less put expression and character into it... it just blows me away.

[@ScottBeamer]

RIP Stephen Sondheim 😢

[@livoodka]

Oh God, she's amazing. Such a beautiful, classic voice...

[@BigglesWatch]

This is a fabulous voice and she is properly trained. Wonderful.

[@geraldineclarke5434]

I miss Sondheim so much. Such a great song (and very well done, too.)

[@joanmader9755]

I'm an ordinary mother ( thank God) caring for my 6 year old granddaughter: whose biomom is not around, so I totally understand what dear Stephen was writing about, so heartbreakingly clear, thank you for posting this.

[@alphabet-agencieskontoraru1540]

*SILKY LIGHTNING ➡ SLIDING DOWN THE SPINE - that what her charming voice & shining looks do, blidening the view too*

[@IGot7RevtinyArmyStayOnceBlink]

They all did amazing but this is a really hard song to sing. These pitch changes and tempo changes are crazy not too mention the amount of words crammed into a few seconds. She did brilliant. And her emotions were so powerful.

[@jcq1961]

Great song, great singer, great orchestration.

[@dannysimion]

Wow, how can she sustain such notes like that?! Wow, she's gifted and i love love love love it. Grace Adler was trying to copy cat this voice, huh? hahaha. I feel like I’m watching a fairy tale when I hear this song ✌️👍☺️ she brings this to life!

[@railehtdoe2907]

Grace Adler…? I know this comment is three years old but I wanna know.

[@Jezzhalo]

she is wonderful, can't put it into words

[@operaguyny]

Spectacular

[@jennybrandt5188]

This song is beautiful. I love Audra McDonald's voice.

[@LegionIvory]

2:42 This is why this woman gets the Tonys.

[@jacobharrison4088]

i've watched this video a million times and never noticed the asymmetrical dress. i've always been drawn to her face and her voice so i thought her dress was a regular two strap lol

[@Owlzindabarn]

@3:21 Elaine Stritch be like 'yeah, uh huh, right.'

[@grantcurry4839]

Her singing is magnificent. So is her ability as an actress. Her 2019 performance in "Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune" at the Broadhurst theater was wonderful.

[@paulstud]

as great a song as SS ever wrote. how beautifully he understands the wishes and dreams and anxieties of this 14ish-year-old girl. how much empathy and compassion and love he has for her. That's why I think he's God(like)

[@jamesgelber2953]

Steve grew up w an extremely abusive mother; he knew first-hand whereof he wrote. This song is like...an entire therapy session.

[@shihaily]

Gets me everytime. Goosebumps

[@bbmonkey14]

I love her dress....oh and her voice. Yes her voice is good too.

[@DereBear]

Jesus Christ the phrasing of this song is insane

[@carr0760]

@brianeduardo1234 The song itself is from A Little Night Music (movie version - the stage show is a group number). This particular performance is from Sondheim: The Birthday Concert - in celebration of his 80th birthday.

[@benedictfaustino4461]

Watching in 2019.

[@jayhartbarger2793]

she brings new life to this song

[@ralphmammah6220]

Somehow, it sounds like a completely different song when Sheila E does it.

[@v0zbox]

What a wholly beautiful performer.

[@djbelnavis]

imagine having such an immense lack of taste that you click thumbs down on this performance. could never be me.

[@fountainchain126]

I think I just love watching Patti watching Audra

[@carebear433]

#BLACKEXCELLENCE lol No one else on that damn stage could have done that I think except Peters Audra you better sing girl

[@suzannebracker8219]

Every song she sings is magnificent.

[@travilicious]

Audra would be AMAZING in this role! Revive it on Broadway NOW starring her and put in Patti Lupone when she's done with Company!