REBECCA LUKER Nine

[@robertresnick7176]

Breathtaking. THANK YOU! How gorgeous she is, too, as a brunette! I love the moment after she sings, "...that I can hardly speak." She was an immense artist. She and her beauty, voice and talent will live on forever thanks to generous mining and sharing like yours, Aurura Spiderwoman!

[@fhpperkins2735]

Dear Aurora, Every day I realize more and more the incredible depth of Rebecca Luker's enormous talent. thanks for helping to keep her memory alive

[@paulcanaday-elliott9834]

Wow. Just wow. Her incredible range and the richness and beauty of her voice is so well captured here. Such an incredible loss. Rest in peace.

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Her singing here is just gorgeous.

[@tomgallowitz]

Agreed both her and Laura nailed the role, Laura seemed younger whereas Rebecca made her older

[@peerah]

What a beautiful and heartbreaking performance. She will be dearly missed.

[@richardmayora5310]

OMG. This post is how I found out and I have no idea how this clip spontaneously came up on You Tube. She was heavenly. I am so grateful to have seen her many times. And we have clips like this to enjoy for a lifetime.

[@4DonVito5]

Amen. Such a beautiful soul and incredible talent. Still can’t believe she’s gone. Thank God for recordings and videos like this

[@yamaha6310]

Rebecca personifies talent from another planet.. Amazing! Such a loss.

[@benjaminbackbite]

Watching this for about the 20th time. She is phenomenal in this role which is way out of her comfort zone. She and John actually have incredible chemistry. I completely believe them both.

[@whitneyryangarrity5265]

One of the most beautiful songs written for the stage. I saw the original Broadway production twice. Luker is flawless here

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Fully agreed.

[@petemichael4512]

I'm so thankful that I had a chance to see Rebecca as Lily in The Secret Garden - absolutely captivating. Living in Cincinnati I would take in as much as possible on Broadway when I had the opportunity to spend a week every year or two since '75 when A Chorus Line was among the first I saw. Hearing the perfection of this beautiful voice reminds me to cherish every moment we have to experience special performers like Rebecca Luker and myriad others who touch our lives.

[@elisebrown2986]

I really like the subtle emotion that Laura Benanti shows and the intense passion rebecca Luker brings to the song

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

They are both fabulous in this song. You can find Laura's version in this collection: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJzNaoNjl559fZo

[@jaygatz4335]

I have followed Rebecca's career since 1988, when she appeared with the brilliant conductor John McGlinn in Broadway Originals, on PBS. That show also introduced me to Jason Graae, Kim Criswell, Judy Kaye, Paige O'Hara, and Brent Barrett, all of whom were next level talent. I saw Rebecca in Showboat, The Music Man, and Death Takes A Holiday, and have numerous recordings which featured her glorious voice and presence. Taken from us so young, yet bequeathing us with a large and lasting legacy. Her star shone very brightly.

[@benjaminbackbite]

She was always gorgeous. What a performance!

[@erezmor4u]

I arrived to NYC in November of 2003. I saw this musical, 1"st raw, in a deal of 20$ per ticket. Most of the original cast has already left the show. It didn't bother me at all. I saw Rebecca, John, Ertha Kit, and the understudy of Jane Krakawsky. It was an amazing experience, I will never forget. In that specific song, I started to cry... RIP Rebecca!

[@darrenlumby7091]

I didn’t know she played this role. Amazing. Such a star.

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Yes, I think many may have forgotten that that revival had a replacement company. Rebecca replaced Laura Benanti.

[@sohoboy506]

@@auroraspiderwoman5886 yes, I completely forgot that! Thanks for this 🙏🏻

[@tomgallowitz]

@@auroraspiderwoman5886 which is ironic since Laura replaced her in Sound of Music

[@jamesmccully9584]

I knew Rebecca from college. I was in Camelot with her. She played Guinevere wonderfully. Someone must have an old tape of the show. It was in the early 80s. I saw Rebecca in Passion in DC and a concert version of Showboat, both at the Kennedy Center. I talked to her about a year before she was diagnosed with ALS. Rebecca had given a concert in Garner, NC.(Later, there were 2 concerts with former Phantoms, who both performed with her when she was Christine) I was friends with her x roommate in college, Valerie, and we talked about her. I did not know it at the time that Valerie had died. I later was able to correspond with Rebecca through email to let her know. This song is on one of her CDs. I think she sang it at the concert. I am still devastated that she died. The world lost a beautiful person with a beautiful voice.

[@johnadams6535]

I also saw that production of Passion.

[@danromero]

Breaks my heart to think we lost this gift so soon, so quickly.

[@krpbdp]

Exquisite as usual. Miss her so much.

[@kevinguernsey8413]

I almost didn't recognize her with that dark hair and accent. She's amazing. I will miss her beautiful voice.

[@malencid]

The magnificent Rebecca Luker, a great talent lost too soon.

[@breadway6781]

Beautiful voice singing my all-time favorite Broadway song. RIP Rebecca, sing with Mary Martin, Barbara Cook, Marin Mazzie, and others.

[@leokatzeChen]

I saw her with Antoino and John, she was a warm and fragile Claudia, thank for bringing back good memory!

[@ellenepstein9588]

So very special and beautiful! RIP angel

[@TomIdelson]

Gosh, she is breathtaking and beautiful! ❤️💔❤️

[@AnnLippert1]

I just found out today she died. I read her name in the liner notes of a CD I bought in 2000. Called ARIA. ( Paul Schwartz I believe). Her voice is incredible on the CD. I cant believe I never knew her amazing career.

[@debbieknopf585]

Becca was some lady, special charming and very talented. A voice like a bell. I am going to miss seeing you Becca.....

[@happyexpat3744]

So glad I saw this. Of course I know that Ms. Luker has passed away from ALS....but I have underestimated her, always...until now. Seeing her in Music Man and other rather fluffy musicals, here she needs depth and gives it..along with an accent and without her blond hair and she is beautiful as a brunette and you can hear that beauty and depth in her interpretation of this song, which I have loved for so long. Brava, Ms. Luker, wherever you may be, and thank you.

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Yes, I agree, this is a very special performance in her career, at her absolute best in an atypical role.

[@thenygalavant]

@@auroraspiderwoman5886I feel that way about her in Fun Home, filling in for Judy Kuhn while she was on medical leave.

[@maidachan2989]

Only truly discovered her a few weeks ago. I had seen her in the Barbara Cook tribute from Kennedy Center Honors when it aired originally in CBS, but had forgotten about her since. I rewatched that tribute on KZbin and thought temporarily she was Marin Mazzie who also passed too soon. When I googled her, I found out Miss Luker passed away from ALS in December. She’s mesmerizing here. Thank you for uploading. Such a talented singer and performer, and, from what I’ve been reading, an even better person to boot! Rest In Peace, Miss Luker! Your legacy and courage lives on in these wonderful videos and to those who knew you.

[@mikesteele05]

This is such an incredible performance! My gosh, what a gift she had!

[@bestbets1432]

Sweet angel...gone way too soon. It hurts so much knowing you aren’t with us anymore. That gorgeous voice silenced forever. Not fair. Love you always Rebecca! Rest in sweet peace 💔

[@HPLeft]

Hard to believe that her Cole Porter tribute CD (recorded to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Porter's birth) has not yet made it to youtube. It is how I first came across Luker and IMHO it is the finest compilation of Porter's songs that I have ever heard, better than Ella, Sinatra, etc. What a tremendous loss.

[@Runflatred]

We will miss you Rebecca😢

[@michaeljj43]

that voice...that voice!!!!! from heaven.

[@MrYonexguy63]

Luker was and remains a treasure. My absolute favorite if this voice type. She is luminous.

[@robertworobec3937]

Comfort and prayers to husband Danny Burstein and her stepsons; your's and Rebecca's performing talents have elevated your productions, and graced us with a higher vision of the healing power of Art and Music. Much gratitude from a long time fan of both (and long ago fellow Broadway performer)

[@stephanie4537]

RIP. A legend. This will always be the only version of this song, for me

[@JP-sj5zn]

Stunning. Theatre magic. RIP sweet lady

[@Gnostic72]

From husband DANNY BURSTEIN: “This is a text I just got from Jessica Molaskey. Thanks, Jess. It means the world to me. “ “There are no words. Only love right now for you and your family and our dear theater family. I don’t remember seeing the whole Broadway community so gutted by a loss. Not ever. I guess because Becca seemed so other worldly, so born of a place that mere mortals only dream of. So full of light and genius. Yes genius when she opened her mouth. The music and love that poured out of her shining soul shall live forever. In a different time we would all gather on this Christmas Eve and hug you and drink something and sit shiva for your “shiska goddess” and remember stories. I can think of a story about 26 years ago when a troupe of actors went out to dinner in Southern California. We were a large loud table tucked in a corner of a restaurant. Someone, maybe it was our dear George, threw down the gauntlet to tell the dirtiest joke. I might have known one safe one. The winner of the evening was Becca who told joke after filthy joke until our stomachs hurt from laughing so hard. The jokes were somehow funnier coming out of that angelic human. I think she knew it. The bottom line is we were better for knowing her. I guess that’s the whole point of this mysterious life. Leaving the joint a better place than before you got there. She sure did that. I know you have battalions of wonderful souls who love you. Just want to let you know that if you ever need a shoulder I’m here day or night. Who sleeps these days anyway. I love you. Xoxoxo Molaskey. I was privileged to see & hear “Ms. Luker’s angelic voice” as Lily in THE SECRET GARDEN at the Saint James Theatre in 1991 & as Maria Von Trapp in the 1998 revival of THE SOUND OF MUSIC at the Martin Beck Theatre in NYC. When I said earlier that we lost a lot of people this year...we indeed lost a LOT. We also recently lost NICK CORDERO (Bullets Over Broadway), MARIN MAZZIE (Kiss Me Kate, Passion, Ragtime) and ANNE REINKING (All That Jazz, Annie, Fosse). Broadway just got darker. R.I.P. to ALL WE LOST THIS YEAR. I shed a tear for those who left us. So gutted...and destroyed watching Ms. Luker perform, proving once again the LOSS we have is great and irreplaceable. Ugh. 2020 can’t get over any sooner for me. It’s just too much....TOO MUCH.

[@samara.ariel.jpg_]

🤍🙏🏽☮️🦋🌌

[@NancySanders-om4ic]

Yes,I Definitely AGREE! I nearly died two different times in 2021.from a surgery by an incompetent eye surgeon and a primary care doctor who prescribed too high of a dose of Levothyroxin.Both " doctors" were incompetent, indifferent,and mercenary.I trusted these professional people,and I am a Healthcare professional,and I was treated the worst I ever had in my life.I am still recovering emotionally and physically. I Pray for ALL people,who are ill,have a medical condition to deal with in their lives. Sincerely, N.Sanders ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@BrendanClifford]

i saw her in Nine, her performance was breathtaking

[@rozcohn8892]

Stunning!!!! So much love for you and your amazong talent Becca!!!! Thank you from the depths of my Soul.

[@troubadore]

OMG thank you for preserving this wonderful performance.

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Agreed, just wonderful.

[@troubadore]

@@auroraspiderwoman5886 thank you for all these clips. Merry Christmas and know that you are appreciated ❤

[@alexs.3383]

[@Dexcab]

Such incredible control over her voice! Thank you for sharing this clip from your collection as a way for us to celebrate Rebecca.

[@samara.ariel.jpg_]

other wordly beauty🤍🌌🙏🏽 we miss you

[@chiedu90069]

Thank you so much for posting this. She really brought something special to the part. Such a rich, earthy lower register with that angelic upper extension. So much loss this year. It's unbearable.

[@jscho8674]

I was soooo hoping you would post something of hers today. Thank you so much Spiderwoman. This was sublime. SHE was sublime.

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Agreed, and glad you enjoyed.

[@tomgallowitz]

And so versatile she could play Magnolia, Maria, Marian, Christine, Claudia, etc. and make you believe she was all those characters

[@einezcrespo2107]

Wow, I didn't know she was in Nine! Thanks for posting. This voice will be missed. RIP Rebecca Luker.

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Yes, she replaced Laura Benanti. John Stamos, Eartha Kitt and Marni Nixon were also among the replacements.

[@prestonnorris9822]

Absolutely Beautiful 🌹🥀♥️

[@singerAR0406]

I'm devastated. Thank you for posting this. It's absolutely stunning

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

I agree---really wonderful singing.

[@ernlwjr2]

Stunningly beautiful!!! Well done, Rebecca!❤️🎶🎭

[@confessionhorrorbaby]

Such a gorgeous voice! R.I.P.

[@cuchelo1]

So sad to hear of her passing today. May she continue to inspire and touch people for many years to come through videos like this. Thank you for sharing.

[@alejandroluciani2848]

rest in peace Rebecca. Please finish 2020

[@carlosbeltransierra2184]

A masterpiece in the voice of an angel!!!

[@MikeyD2787]

I SAW THIS LIVE!! 17 years later, this is the first time I've seen any video surface from this cast. Eartha Kitt and Marni Nixon were in this cast as well, among other legends. Thank you for sharing! What a treat to be able to revisit Rebecca's performance here. (and I would love to know if there is more footage somewhere.)

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Yes, I took this clip from a lengthier upload with that replacement cast, and will post it soon.

[@googleuser2874]

Wow. Stunning.

[@charlesrabb5568]

Thank you for posting this. I had forgotten this. The night I was this John was out, but his understudy was wonderful.

[@justinsmith3721]

You will be missed ❤️♥️

[@benlanzarone4936]

Wow! So beautiful.

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

It is indeed.

[@daviddavis6171]

My favorite Love song in a show. I am so blown away by this performance! Thank you so much!!

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

I love it too.

[@Barnaby150]

Beautiful!

[@KayaGirouxsings]

Rest In Peace Rebecca ❤️

[@alwaysnew189]

another injustice RIP, sweet soprano of Theater

[@michaeldemarco7694]

WOW! I didn’t see this live but wow just wow beautiful... gorgeous song and her glorious voice. Epic may she Rest In Peace. John Stamos was Guido hmm 🤔

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

An especially glorious rendition.

[@nosnamreh1]

Was always one of the brightest lights on Broadway. What a loss. How do you explain life and how fragile and short it is. Weep.

[@dannymarr7526]

Omg thank u for this! How heartbreaking

[@dannymarr7526]

do you have the full video of this production? I've been searching for it for YEARS

[@pbamse]

REBECCA LUKER (1961 - 2020)

[@tomgallowitz]

Don’t think it’s said much but I like the duet at the end it’s haunting just like the song

[@agcaoiliproductions9580]

RIP

[@davidrosen3970]

fun story: 1980ish, went to the annual O'Neill summer musical theater workshop series and one night saw NINE, only then it was with men and women, same music, slightly;y different concept. Nonetheless, I hear this gorgeous song, which I am recording on a cassette player, which I bring home to my actress/wife who hears the song and the next day goes out and gets charts done, and for the next two years, she's singing this song at auctions and the casting people are going, "Where is that from?!", and the never told anyone. She got work from it. BTW, The Bells of St Sebastian is so much better with male bass and baritone voices!

[@jasonc.parker4644]

I'm just going to pretend that I didn't read the rest of the comments, and just post what I was going to post: So in "The Sound Of Music", Laura Benanti took over for Rebecca Luker. In "Nine", the opposite happened.

[@markwaltz3307]

I saw Rebecca do "She Loves Me" in L.A. in 2003 and just a few years ago saw Laura do it at Studio 54......

[@Runflatred]

What does that have to do with all the nice tributes people wrote?

[@jasonc.parker4644]

@@Runflatred Nothing. It's just when I clicked on this video I hadn't heard that she had died. Then I read the rest of the comments. I just meant that I was going to pretend for a few seconds that she hadnt died.

[@Runflatred]

@@jasonc.parker4644 oh. Got it.

[@tomgallowitz]

Do have any of her in Passion, Mary Poppins, Secret Garden, or Phantom?

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Yes, just remembered last night that she had done "Passion" in the Kennedy Center Sondheim celebration production.

[@tomgallowitz]

@@auroraspiderwoman5886 and she replaced Melissa Errico off Broadway

[@MPH-FunFootage]

WOW! WOW! WOW!