HARVEY FIERSTEIN "I Am What I Am" LA CAGE B'way 2011

[@wingsandash]

Harvey is a magician. He turned his vocal-cord disorder into a Tony-award winning voice. He fought and fights for acceptance and respect, and is a LGBTQIA+ torch-bearing pioneer. What an actor, singer, performer and activist. I love you, Harvey!!

[@skippergillsfavorites2076]

As he said,,,,, "I got no problems. With a voice like this, I could always drive a cab!- Torch Song Trilogy"

[@skippergillsfavorites2076]

I love Harvey too!!

[@JeanettePeAceLoVe]

I agree. My very first introduction to harvey was when I was 19 and I had given birth to my first child, a perfect daughter named EVA, who i was unable to care for myself so she was adopted by a precious woman who was unable to have a child of her own. Anyway i was just sitting around the house that I was living in at the time flipping through the channels on the tube. When i landed on a channel that caught my attention. The movie was so profound and sad and impowering to me and it made a lasting impression on my heart. Torch song trilogy was such a beautiful work of the real life hardships and stresses and struggles that I'm almost sure that most homosexuals had to endure .. When I was born and until I was 8 years old i had the pleasure of getting to know and spend time with one of my biological mothers gay cousin named Randy.. So i was fortunate enough to been given the space to never see anything negative in h8mosexuality as my biological father was also bisexual. But at 8 years old i was put into foster care and the foster parents were an elderly couple that daily the female used religion and mental, emoti8nal and physical abuse to force me into being submissive and more manageable for her. But inside of myself i never believed in god or Jesus or holy spirit or anything that was written in the bible and I was raised to have my own freedom of mind body and spirit to create my very own personal private higher power and I can somewhat understand and know what it kind of feels like to have hide your whole entire self being deeply down inside of the secret crevices of your lonely misunderstood soul as you scream inside of yourself at times bursting to break out of this prison that you have had to create

[@hughieplays5277]

We must remember that Harvey Fierstein wrote the book to La Cage aux Folles. This man knows this character inside and out. THIS is Albin. The definitive Albin.

[@manuelorozco7760]

Harvey's script for the show is that rare combination of genuine heart and whimsical humor. 4 years ago, I saw Chris Sieber as Albin and he was sensational.

[@babacar3519]

Hughie Playsil What? no buddy la cage aux folles is a french play written by Jean Poiret that was adapted to film with Ugo Tognazzi and the great Michel Serrault, it was then remade into the birdcage with robin Williams and Nathan Lane. Harvey Fierstein had Nothing to do with it at all. What he did write was Torch song trilogy which he got a tony for and then it was made into a film which starred himself, Matthew Broderick and Anne Bancroft

[@dawneverard167]

Then why is he credited as the author of the book in the programme for La Cage aux Folles that I bought at the show last week in Nottingham (uk tour?

[@manuelorozco7760]

baba car He got his 3rd Tony for the book of La Cage Aux Folles and his 4th for playing Edna in Hairspray

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Harvey F. wrote the book for the 1983 Broadway musical "La Cage aux Folles." He won a Tony for it. The show won the Best Musical Tony, and both Broadway revivals of it took the Best Musical Revival Tony.

[@summermen]

He's a GREAT actor, he sets it up so beautifully, and the voice? It's quite easy to imagine that a drag entertainer who had overused his voice for many years would sound exactly like this.

[@manuelorozco7760]

I loved him as Edna in Hairspray

[@jadezee6316]

EXCEPT THAT DRAG PERFORMERS DONT USE THEIR VOICES...CAUSE THEY DO NOT SING....

[@nicholasmorgan7156]

@@jadezee6316 except this drag performer is famous for their voice

[@TwistingWays]

Actually he sounds like that because of a birth defect, not from overuse of the voice :)

[@nicholasmorgan7156]

@@TwistingWays hes talking about the character, not Fierstein

[@kahuna3901]

the point is that the version isnt perfect, its warts and all, its a representation of the character as who they are, its the literal interpretation of "i am what i am", some think its noise, but i think its pretty. emotional, beautiful, a talent and interpretation rarely seen in art. beautiful.

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Very nice, thank you.

[@peterdavino4408]

Wonderful enlightening commentary. Makes Harvey's performance incredibly poignant.

[@teijaflink2226]

That's why this is so emotional, you can really feel the person behind it and all the struggles that he has been through.

[@sherrysink3177]

If anyone truly lives the message of this song, it's Harvey. He's one of a kind and he's stood up for himself and his right to be who he is, his entire life, even amidst facing some of the most horrific difficulties and prejudices. I've always admired him for that.

[@cezartb]

I love that Ginger Minj sung it at the Glaad awards and it is like life repeated the play.

[@angelicagoldstein8049]

I'm 82 and have been in LOVE with Harvey for DECADES! (I hope he doesn't mind my saying so!) There's so much to him, it's hard not to fall in love! The scope of his talent is immeasurable! ❤

[@Harpfrmhel]

I like the fact that it's Harvey singing it and not someone else. His voice is not pretty, but he can carry a tune and it's a much more soul full performance. As I said, his voice isn't pretty but he's singing anyway, which is what the song is all about: being yourself.

[@despinagounari7312]

What an actor, singer, performer and activist. I love you, Harvey Fierstein!!

[@browncoatkevin]

There's something about the proud anger that fuels this song that puts it on another level.

[@PalmurcioWorld]

Thanks Nina West for discovering me this artist

[@MrsLPAmy]

Same

[@jasonbolding3481]

Is this a joke? Like i didn't think Harvey fierstein ever not well known?

[@br52685]

@@jasonbolding3481 No doubt! Harvey Fierstein his hardly some "hidden/obscure" talent!!

[@mckenna8663]

YEARS ago... my husband and I went to see a La Cage-TYPE show in Las Vegas. We loved it! Then we realized that the older couple in front of us {who were also enjoying the show} were unaware that these were men in drag. Though the show on stage was great, it nearly lost out to watching these two as they started to question, then began to realize the reality of what they were watching ... followed by their full realization and quietly discussing if they were offended enough to get up and leave. Long story short... they stayed, but it was a cross between we are never to mention this to any of our friends back home and damn these "ladies" are TALENTED!!

[@AAwildeone]

I know this comment is 3yo but that is a funny story, and well told! Cheers!

[@ashkitt7719]

I know this comment is 7 years old but funny story. I'm hoping they got new friends since then. Who actually accept them.

[@SpellboundWolf]

I am what I am! I will never change myself to make someone else comfortable!

[@cycler8]

Whenever I feel like crying I watch this. Harvey is so real, really himself, that's true art of performance. Even his broken voice just makes it more real, more true. This song is sung from his heart.

[@antonimorgan3587]

Harvey Fierstein is a genius! His interpretation is so moving, so wonderful and so true to the character. I love his man so much he just entertains with a silky ease and that voice is so iconic spoken and sung. He is breathtaking here!

[@Muttonchop_USA]

Time to revive this...in Florida.

[@JohnKenrick-Musicalscom]

Never sounded more powerful -- Harvey was a magnificent Albin, and I would see him do it again in a heartbeat.

[@hannahhamiltrash6455]

Oh. My god. YES. The absolute and utter emotion in this. You can feel every thing that is going through Albin’s head. This is one of the best performances and most believable performances I have ever seen. Kudos

[@sophieyelena8942]

Hannah Hamiltrash well he co-wrote and created it he knows exactly how it was meant and the emotion. He’s written for and created so many shows and he started out as a drag queen and climbed and worked hard to get every bit of success he’s got to this day.

[@steerpike1359]

This performance ripped the soul case out of me. What a tour de force by the brilliant, multi talented genius Mr Harvey Fierstein.This has never been done better and, I daresay, never will be !

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Can't argue with that. Well said.

[@oskarneuburger6809]

This song is a deeply emotional and raw song about being yourself wholly and unapologetically, the vocals not being perfect makes the performance that much stronger

[@echospaw899]

I fell in love with Harvey when the movie 'A Torch Song Trilogy' came out. He's one hell of a hoot!!

[@curtbonnell4308]

He is amazing. Never saw him in La Cage but he was incredible in Torch Song Trilogy.

[@cycler8]

I keep crying watching it. Im performing it myself this summer, on the clarinet, remembering my lover who died last year and this song represents his spirit. And Harvey is a true artist

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Thanks for sharing.

[@MARIANSCATLIFFE]

Iam so sorry you lost your beloved I lost my beloved husband approximately 3 yrs agoi try to do what you are doing honor his life while living yours love to you

[@nathanfogg5918]

I CANNOT stop watching this video. His acting is something to behold.

[@PhilippePlas]

seen it on broadway with Harvey....it was one of the best acting i've seen on broadway...I still remember him singing this I am what I am...He showed me that voice is really not everything in musical. He was great.

[@JonNoH73]

I came across this today and I literally had to stop and remind myself that this was Harvey Fierstein and not my dear friend Gregg Matthews,... I miss him terribly (Gregg) every day ( he died suddenly of a heart attack three months ago) and I know he loved being thought he looked like Harvey. He would have had a huge kick out of this. In addition, Mr. Fierstein may not have the most amazing voice but sometimes you do not need to hit every note perfectly to show the world how a moment in a musical needs to be done. Bravo.

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Thanks for this, and I fully agree with your final comment.

[@jean-jacquesludot5841]

aurora spiderwoman have you the full show on vidéo ? ?? please....

[@ariana.m.lamark]

Jonathan Rybka-Wachhaus your comment hit close to home - one of my dear friends was supposed to play this role in La Cage but he died suddenly of a heart attack 6 months ago. I’m so sorry to hear about your loss.

[@summermen]

Harvey is a genius of performance --I saw him once in a sports stadium at the Gay Games in Amsterdam --the next act was delayed en route...Harvey just strolled around and ad-libbed to that huge crowd for about 20 minutes and kept us in stitches. Unforgettable.

[@v8281]

I can't hear this song and not think of Harvey. An amazing soul 💜

[@gregorybufkin890]

Wow, so depressed and this happy-sad song brought me back. Thank you.

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

So nice to hear, glad you enjoyed.

[@anquoejiu-jitsuredcloudanq2134]

No one could’ve done it better. Bravo!!!

[@dospalmascb]

Harvey is the ultimate dame! We’ve been together for over 36 years, loved you from the first moment in torch song. Funnily enough I became a foster cater for 26 years and have been with my partner 33 years. Love ❤️ love ❤️ love ❤️ to you achi

[@mjacton]

I feel like there could be a book written about this performance, and it would be Harvey Fierstein's biography.

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Great comment, thanks.

[@paulakaye2108]

I love this song; it speaks to anyone transforming themselves into their "own special creation"; I've loved Harvey for decades!

[@jessiem276]

You can't "transform" yourself. You're either male, or female. A man can't be a woman and a woman can't be a man ...no matter how hard they try. It is what it is!

[@JohnKenrick-Musicalscom]

I've seen every Albin that played Broadway in all three NYC productions -- and many others elsewhere. No one matches Harvey's performance -- of this glorious song, or of the entire role. But then, that's true of most every role he takes on.

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Thank you, John, and I have to agree.

[@ellariel7457]

Raw power … and infinite vulnerability. It’s how he wrote it. And just like all those who’ve played it well before - he did it perfectly. But here, there is an extra something. It’s not Harvey’s voice - although that voice is so distinctive and is part of that makes him a national treasure. Is it because he’s the auteur? I think it’s more in the way he knows it … by heart. Albin *is* a wounded heart here - a deeply wounded heart reclaiming its power - and I’ve never seen anyone capture that aspect better. My own heart breaks for him. Thank you, Harvey, for this show, for this magnificent performance, and for all you do. We love you.

[@GaelB100]

Brilliant understanding of the this song. Wonderful honest and heartbreaking interpretation

[@colecancillaartist]

Last part of the song❤️❤️❤️ Harvey Fierstein’s voice /passion makes me overwhelmed with tears !

[@LightningRound1st]

I've been fortunate to see Harvey Fierstein in several shows. When he first appeared in "Hairspray" you could feel the star energy vibrating off him. He was wonderful. However, when I saw him in "La Cage"--so incredibly powerful, devastating, and joyous! Being in the theater when he sang this song was one of the most magical moments I have ever had seeing a Broadway show! Even now, it can still bring me to tears!! Thanks for sharing this video.

[@manuelorozco7760]

I loved him when i saw Harvey as Edna in the NBC production of Hairspray

[@jackwells8107]

A friend of mine took me to see Torch Song Trilogy when it was released in 1988, so I've been blessed to know about Harvey for a long time. I wish I'd had the chance to see him in person.

[@TheLeHines]

I saw this - closing performance. I had never see La Cage before, and I remember being a little disappointed I wasn't going to hear a "good" singer sing this song. I was so wrong. It was one of the greatest theater moments of my life. His rendition was unbelievable.

[@stevenatkinson6048]

Im so glad he got to play this part.. Its his too own.. IM in tears.. Love it.

[@robertversluis5744]

God I LOVE the Great Harvey Fierstein. Trailblazer and maverick! He is a gift.

[@LeslieGMN]

Introduced to this song at an aerobics class in ‘83, I’ve loved it ever since. I love Harvey Fierstein, too. He was guest of honor at the “girls’ night” party the night before a dear friend’s wedding. At the wedding, we danced up a storm: he was Harvey, I was very pregnant!

[@ed7519]

Nobody has a voice like Harvey.

[@echeleteich3347]

His facial expressions are unbelievable!

[@danielkarisch5133]

Oh sweety. Thanks fot this gift. I love you Harvey. You are a mega star.

[@idavo]

let the master perform & an amazing performance it is. Harvey, I will ever be in your debt each time you present your skill of grasping my attention & reducing me to a gibbering wreck when I hear & see you. I cannot thank who posted this enough. in my world, you would be a great friend. From the bottom of my heart. Thank you.

[@terryosborne5928]

The BEST and definitive version by a MILE!!!!!

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Can't argue with that assessment.

[@VBlogger33]

sHe's SO GOOD, She Snatches her OWN wig and EVERYONE agrees! QUEEN!!!

[@GiantOctopus0101]

Love it. You don't just hear the beautiful song, but you really feel the character and emotions, and to me it seems like he's acting it out a lot more than others do, with gestures and body language. He's extremely expressive and relatable, my favorite version for sure.

[@billvantassell1384]

Fabulous as always! He is just awesome!

[@MehDusta]

I actually got to see Harvey do this live and it's wonderful to revisit it

[@treywest268]

I absolutely love his voice!!! Seriously. I just love it and him!!!

[@colecancillaartist]

Amazing vocals and emotion. The ending of the song gets me every time. Tears of joy.

[@Mozpam]

This is heart-stopping; so full of genuine emotion, just wonderful. Thank you, so much.

[@brianeduardo1234]

This is astonishingly and loved he chorus being there at the beginning... the author knows what the song is all about... excellent!!!!!!

[@junefun55]

💧💧💧💧💧💧💧💧STUNNING AMAZING PERFECT the best and greatest performance of this ever.

[@Menhiria]

He reminds me of Divine, I don't know why. I think it's the audacity and the hutspa to be what he truly is.

[@manuelorozco7760]

Too much of a coincidence since Harvey is the original Broadway Edna

[@chrisroderosvlogsroderos267]

It's also quite a coincidence that he also wrote the book to the show

[@manuelorozco7760]

ChrisRoderosVlogs Roderos For La Cage yes. In fact, Harvey is writing the teleplay for when he reprises Edna in NBC's Hairspray Live this December.

[@ellariel7457]

chutzpah, darling. thank you

[@marcmitchel25]

​@@ellariel7457Thank you Miss Landers

[@KevinBiedrzycki1]

Somehow this just feels right. He wrote the book for the stage and sang it word for word. La Cage Aux Falles isn’t just your normal average Broadway production… it is a love letter to the entire LGBTQIA+ community. The lyrics are but a message for queer people like myself. An expression of one’s identity and telling the world I am what I am. A beautiful sentiment. A beautiful song with a beautiful heart of pride ❤️🌈🏳️‍⚧️⚧️!

[@ashkitt7719]

It's amazing that a showtune from the 80s is so relevant today as well. The lyrics "It's one life and there's no return and no deposit / One life so it's time to open up your closet" especially

[@donac529]

I saw both George H and Harvey. Both were unbelievable. Both of them were very powerful.

[@jonathanfunnell4167]

I Love Harvey Fierstein With All My Heart And Always Will

[@docchatter]

so glad i saw he and chris on broadway. he is one of the finest and he is the one who sings this song from the true core of his being.

[@stevecrutchley3616]

Best and only version, I have only seen this in video, I envy anyone who saw this live.

[@knurd75]

Wow. Impressive performance. That brought tears to my eyes.

[@wayneford9321]

This is sheer beauty ! Bravo!

[@peteranderton5887]

Harvey you are a true inspiration :) i remember watching torch song trilogy when it 1st came out and how happy and sad and then happy again the story made me feel :) would love to see you perform in the uk :) Thank you for being true to yourself and open with us :) Huge Hugs xxx

[@EdwardSeymour-v7j]

Wow!!!!!!…Bravo to a real pioneer!…🎉❤

[@Molly-tv5sv]

this is truly magnificent, there are very little people who compare to harvey :)

[@alliemaria532]

One word FANTASTIC XXX

[@jregel5261]

Love Harvey.... A real person in this world...

[@irajayrosen4792]

I saw the original Broadway production with George Hearn playing Albin. This song ended with a brilliant piece of staging. The entire time that George Hearn sang the song, the stage was slowly drifting to the right, so we saw a few of the people backstage, notable Gene Barry as George, who stood staring in horror as how he had wounded his lover sinks into him. Albin whipped of his wig as he takes his bow, stalked to George to threw it in his face, then existed the stage through the auditorium, running up the side aisle as the audience exploded.

[@mike856ms]

The best Albin. The true emotion.......wow

[@thomasdahl2232]

Brilliant in everything he's done!

[@thomasgeorge751]

Love Harvey, love the sound track, love you for posting this Ms. Spiderwoman!!!! Wish I had been able to see it when I lived in NJ, but it was sold out for the entire run. Thanks again!

[@nanrussum3805]

Love you, Harvey. Just as you are. ♥️♥️♥️

[@samtaurus]

who else could have expressed better than Harvey......#Bravo

[@corvus1374]

Torch Song Trilogy is a heart breaking masterpiece.

[@LloydAntonyLB]

One of our greatest. Genius performance.

[@davidrichards6509]

I first became aware of Harvey Fierstein back in the late 80s when HBO aired their movie version of his stage play Tidy Endings starring him and Stockard Channing. I fell in 🥰 😍 ❤️ with him immediately.

[@zuleyhagundogdu8061]

It is hauntingly beautiful.

[@F-G-Silva]

Thank you for posting this, from the bottom of my heart. Thank you.

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

And thank you for the comment---much appreciated.

[@peteralfano4278]

by far the best interpretation of the song because Harvey sang it from the heart. So much better than the original which was a casting gimmick. This is the real thing.

[@orangeppl]

sublime. i cry. i cry. i cry ever single time.

[@robertgrant4950]

Very true, but his voice (gravelly as it is) is perfect for the role. So just sit back and enjoy a truly great piece of theater

[@mariaeebergantinos9849]

Harvey is simply THE BEST 👍👌👏👏👏👏👏

[@craigslivka1]

as horrible as Harvey's voice is from all of the smoking, etc. he very well understands what his strengths and weakness' of it are, and how to use them to his best advantage both voally and emotionally. I saw the original with George and was overwhelm with a flood of emotions that a boy of 14 has a tough time during the greed is good conservative 1980s to comprehend. George was amazing as Albin, but while watching Harvey, I did not click the you tube button to see something else, and found myself feeling the emotional depth of what Harvey was trying to communicate in painful and beautiful way he did.

[@madabbafan]

It isn't from smoking, he has an over developed vestibular fold in his vocal chords which gives him a 'double voice'

[@craigslivka1]

@@madabbafan When my voice dropped in my teen years, I was still screaming in my head voice, and got hoarse all the time and developed vocals nodules that with the right training, I learned how to speak and sing without hurting my voice or vocal cords. Also, I have never heard of the term double voice, so I looked it up and this is what I found "'double-voicing' means that when a person speaks, they have a heightened awareness of, and. responsiveness to, the concerns and agendas of others, which is then reflected in the different ways they adjust their language in response to interlocutors."

[@craigslivka1]

@@madabbafan also a new and interesting term "vestibular fold" and for this I learned What role do the vestibular folds play in voice production? The vestibular folds of the larynx play a significant role in the maintenance of the laryngeal functions of breathing and preventing food and drink from entering the airway during swallowing. They aid phonation (speech) by suppressing dysphonia.

[@JustMe-tu4fs]

this gives me chills every time

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Thanks---I like it too.

[@charlesfranklinlambeth3944]

Not the prettiest of singers but he captures the soul and emotion of this character like no other! On the other hand, George Hearn makes up in his singing what he doesn’t quite “feel” for the role. My two favorites by far.

[@kuunanimasitalo4578]

This was beautiful💞✨

[@baronochs]

Thank you so much for posting this.

[@yaycoffe123]

Tear jerker 😢😢 I'm not crying you are

[@mikontisott]

utter brilliance

[@hefinrosser8685]

Just incredible xxxx ❤❤❤❤❤

[@MrRee-rs5dm]

I adore Harvey Fierstein. The most beautiful performance of this song I think is Shirley Bassey's.

[@angelicagoldstein8049]

@@MrRee-rs5dm the only other version of this song that I LOVE!!

[@brianeduardo1234]

Easily the best interpretation of this song ever

[@MissFlux]

I was about the type why aren't there more comments .. but right where I start typing it says there are 219 (lol about to be 220) .. but I only see 2 comments :( I was eager to read everyone's comments about this legend. But from the like & views I can see he is loved & beloved by plenty. Thanks for popping up this footage .. fabulous to the point of clichè, but as I'm sure Harvey would say "Life's a cliche darling!" I just love you Harvey & all the work you do & have done. I got here after watching Ginger Minj's tribute to you .. that was FAAABULOUS. But to see Harvey do it I cried tears of joy & togetherness if that makes any sense hahaha. I know my comment is looooong ., but I am what I am .. one of those people that writes long laborious comments!! 😝☺️🙋💗

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Great comment, thanks. Next to the number of comments, there's a "Sort By" choice. Click "newest first" and you will be able to read all 200+ comments. A recently developed problem.

[@andrewthornhill7042]

Just being yourself and telling the world to get over itself....

[@SweetMoonSugar]

after listening to this song for the first time only in audio, i was wowed by the energy, and had to see it come directly from the horses mouth for the full effect.

[@jdroker7876]

killed that perfomance

[@C00kie__]

I discovered Harvey Fierstein because of Hairspray and Mrs. Doubtfire, and I became an instant fan for almost 20 years now, so I knew he took over the role of Albin. I love the Logo tribute with Ginger Minj and the other queens from all stars, and I thought I had seen this once or twice before as the video that automatically starts playing next. However, I have just realized that I made up that memory because if I had watched this, I definitely would have remembered it. We all know the voice, so as the video was starting, I was a little suspicious (don't know if that's the right word but oh well) as to how he would pull this off. I think this song is the male equivalent of Defying Gravity, and I honestly did not think he could give it the beautiful bravado that's necessary. But as soon as he started singing, I became mesmerized by his vocal performance. It just felt so perfectly raw; I'm a hetero, cis woman so I've never really struggled with my identity, but I felt it as I watched. Thank you for sharing

[@donizetti1217]

Awesome love his voice

[@937BROAD]

GREAT SONG.

[@verabartolozzi9768]

Simply moving.