I Read (Donna Murphy in Passion)

[@smurf902]

Trust me: I saw Donna live onstage in this. She weaved a spell. It's not that others can't sing it, pretty much anyone can sing it. It's the very specific physical acting that informed the inner life she gave the character, the peculiarity she gave to it, and the very unique singing voice of being frail and beautiful and lovely sounding and the next moment a belt that would scare you because of her intensity. She really was a tour de force.

[@stevengant95]

she is unreal. even when sitting down. its so crazy how terrible they make her look when she's really quite beautiful. her acting and singing. just terrific.

[@Liltroublegrrl4eva]

Steven Gant I think she still looks so beautiful

[@tomshea8382]

Sondheim said "We finally settled for a few moles because she knows how to ACT ugly."

[@KekoaOnorati]

Her entrance leaves me breathless. Marin Mazzey trilling her wonderful soprano line all over the place and then at the height of her phrase to be abruptly cut short by Ms. Murphy's low, haunting, "Captain..." It's quite a stroke of genius on all parties involved, including both actresses as well as Mr. Sondheim and Mr. Lapine.

[@michaelwilliamybarra2409]

Don’t forget the Damningly cinematic orchestrations by Mr. Jonathan Tunick! Honestly, for an orchestra of only 15 musicians(even if there is a keyboard playing synth strings), they sure make this whole scene feel JUST like I’m watching a film over simply a filmed tale of a stage musical!

[@quentonellis2892]

Look at me! No captain *tablesmack* LOOK AT MEEEE!!

[@alexs.3383]

4:29

[@randomsoprano85]

I have cried enough tears because of this performance to fill a small ocean. Nothing I've ever seen is as powerful as this.

[@michaelgalt388]

I find that a lot of Sondheim’s works require specific phrasings/delivery to make an ethereal impact. I always thought Donna Murphy destroyed future revivals of “Passion” because I don’t think anyone could do Fosca justice other than Donna. The way she immersed herself in the rope and sang the songs with such care and delivery….simply flawless.

[@IPSShowcaseCorp]

Couldn’t agree more. Some roles are just completely claimed. Barbra in FG, Patti in Evita, Collum in Shenandoah, etc. There’s just no point in mounting these shows without them.

[@robbbish]

Honestly, Clara by Marin too.

[@lockheartsam9538]

Not really. Just requires talent and honesty.

[@BetamaxBooty]

there are actresses...and then there are Actresses.

[@fool4singing]

This show is quite amazing in it's music, mood and construction. I was blown away by Donna's performance. It stayed with me for days, and I'm still moved by it.

[@craigmckenzie5852]

This is truly one of the best if not the best ever performances in history. Donna was Simply breathtaking in this role. Nobody comes near

[@Sophie-nz9fz]

this is art. donna murphy brought every part of herself to fosca and it shows.

[@FernandaPerfeitoOfficial]

How many colors can a person carry on its voice?!!!!! Unreal!

[@feferosette]

This is a wonderful play. This actress is so good.

[@pawdaw]

The power of this scene is that we already know they are attracted to each other. For Fosca, this is immensely challenging. She sees herself as an object of pity and disgust, and can't reconcile her feelings. But instead of moving away, Giorgio sits quietly, listens and hears her with an open heart. What do you do when you find yourself falling in love when you see yourself as unlovable?

[@Kasino80]

Marin Mazzie and Donna Murphy in the same show.

[@Julia-hj3xu]

Kasino80 that’s it, that’s the comment😭🙌🏻

[@bibliophile52]

There are no words...this performance is so beautiful, I can't even describe it.

[@achillestsakiridis558]

Donna Murphy is incomparable . I have heard many people sing /act this and no one holds a candle( Sorry Patti / Judy ) .. But .. I have to say ... there is one .. .we are waiting Renee Fleming .. bring it.

[@dialecticsjunkie7653]

Renee Fleming can definitely do the music brilliantly, but can she handle the acting?

[@mindyjoyfullplay5340]

I remember working front of house for Passion. I loooved it. Always.

[@Concetta20]

Her physical acting is so amazing!

[@Otherworldsmeditation]

I have only just discovered this video and I am wiping the tears from my face. What a performance! So touching and real.

[@jimstacy1]

Donna Murphy, truly beautiful and insanely talented. A non-theatre friend of mine saw Tangled and loved the character Mother Gothel. I asked him if he knew who Donna Murphy was and he didn't. I showed him this clip and he said "wow, I somehow thought she'd be beautiful". I said "she's gorgeous". He snorted. Then I showed him the a clip of her in the Sondheim birthday show and he was amazed. He remembered her as Jean Luc Picard's love interest in one of the Star Trek the Next Generation films :c)

[@greatday124]

Powerful scene. I feel as if I am reading the character's thoughts. I felt every note and every word. WOW!

[@erinmoran513]

Murphy blowing my mind. incredible

[@sophiazheng7293]

stunning performance... never have I seen Fosca so vivid as a human-being helpless in love...

[@kimbaedie]

such a dramatic performance,i am so impressed w Donna,her character is so real.

[@ronnakarate]

I saw this on Broadway when it was in previews. Sondheim's melodies and words never disappoint. Donna Murphy was incredible.

[@Concetta20]

Donna Murphy is so amazing. I had heard her and seen her before "Tangled" and yet... oddly enough each time I hear her now my mind pictures the witch from "Tangled".

[@GileannTan]

i love when she smacks the table. donna murphy... guh... so good

[@thomascromer4805]

Utter perfection.

[@fool4singing]

I'm completely convinced by Donna's performance...

[@megan132]

uhm, she was the ORIGINAL fosca...so whatever version you saw was in a different key from the original...this video shows the original key.

[@RedStainedPoet]

omg. donna murphey..... i love her.

[@Concetta20]

Wow, it hardly even looks like Donna Murphy! I wouldn't have realized it was her I didn't already know.

[@katieb1546]

my my this is the first time ive ever seen anything from this. there is something so intense and special about it. it feels a bit sondheim but not...who wrote it? i will go look it up now god i have to see the whole thing ....i feel that way about books, i read to dream :)

[@jasminelededma2427]

you probably know by now but it is by stephen sondheim

[@JonMeFree]

Donna Murphy is a goddess. Stunning in so many facets, even under all that makeup (or maybe I should call it "makedown").

[@galegreyson4196]

Wow. She’s marvelous.

[@CarolMDorn]

And by the way it is physically impossible to cry and sing at the same time but THOSE ARE REAL TEARSon her cheeks.😲😲😲

[@JasonJmnz]

Watching this again and again 'till we got to 2020 :') ... I'm sorry Ms. LuPone but Donna Murphy S L A Y E D

[@nalayat2050]

the genius of Sondheim. Murphy is more than outstanding.

[@DEFinitivelyHis]

I actually whispered a little prayer just now--probably a very bad one, but nevertheless, it's done: I prayed that no other singing actress essaying this role will ever lay eyes on this performance. Donna Murphy's embodiment of Fosca is so completely overwhelming in its singularity, it's enough to give even the most self-assured diva a moment's pause.

[@PaulDidden]

Donna Donna Donna ... she is marvelous!! I just love her xxx

[@alissakirkland4398]

even though they tried to make her look like a hag its impossible because she is so beautiful

[@Liltroublegrrl4eva]

Alissa Kirkland I know, she looks different than other pictures I’ve seen of her but still so beautiful here.

[@mazzamo2509]

Am sorry , I just discovered that I made a thumb down to this wonderful song , it must be by accident , it is one of my favorites ❤

[@princepeterwolf]

holy crap that was AMAZINNNNNNNNNG

[@pillowprince]

Thanks for uploading.

[@alexs.3383]

i'm going through a period of deep melancholy ...

[@TheatreFilmBuff]

Donna Murphy has never been one of my favorite performers but with this role, she definitely hit it out of the ballpark. Her vocal work and little facial tics were so capitivating that it was hard to believe this was the woman from "Wonderful Town" or "The King and I"....she came close to reaching this level again with "The People in the Picture". This is definitely one of the most painfully real and open performances....it isn't even really a perfomance, but a possession.

[@smurf902]

When I met her after Into The Woods, I wanted to tell her how I still remember this captivating performance.

[@asmileisspecial]

****ing perfection.

[@damienburke288]

I adore and love Sondheim he is genius of theatre and song and Broadway

[@camilascatonebedin3002]

I like the way she reads. I like my life, but living the life of characters through a book is just so exciting. I do try to take lessons from it too, though.

[@habatyu]

Well, I found a recording of this. It's so fantastic.

[@ChipByers]

There is not a recording of this cast to my knowledge...but there is a recording of the Patti LuPone/ Audra McDonald cast. The Live from Lincoln Center recording. It's pretty easy to find.

[@CarolMDorn]

I wanted to kiss her feet after seeing this. Brilliant. Inspiring.

[@broadwayindie]

Just cuz we all need it 4:27

[@vintagehaynesflute]

She’s not an actress, she’s an ARTIST!!!

[@alexfulmer3259]

oh my god WIG

[@nursegrace7492]

It's funny she'd played sexy prostitutes in two shows back to back right before getting cast in this!

[@davirhestudios]

1:53 I read

[@robynlynnellebaker3378]

I know this is listed as to be sung by a mezzo, but I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on if this could be sung by a Lirico Spinto soprano?

[@yomega69]

they recorded it in 96 its on netflix!

[@talithacrow7530]

So I'm a contralto who's more an actor than singer and I have to sing her music for a Sondheim assignment. I'm a little terrified

[@caitlinbrown6324]

You can do it!

[@habatyu]

Is this a DVD or recording of the musical? Does anyone have the full thing?

[@giulia2503]

Truth is hardly what I need

[@FantasmaLuna]

It must take a lot of effort in the makeup department to make Donna Murphy look such a ruin. On top of that, her acting and singing is just incredible! I'm actually lost for words on how beautiful her performance is.

[@lonellfletcher]

Will this ever be a film or is it impossible to find any Fosca better than Donna?

[@collaborativeartistsensemb5976]

This version was pro shot and you can purchase it. It’s out of print now but there are copies on eBay. I don’t think there will ever be another Fosca that will come close to this masterful and gorgeous performance from Donna Murphy. It’s perfection.

[@ramblingdaniel]

Where did all these onions come from?

[@jessiezsings]

She is UN.REAL. GEEZ.

[@mayadg16]

Does anyone also think of Laura Benanti’s Halloween story when listening to this?

[@zbotello1439]

Maya Davis-Goodstein yes, the answer is yes.

[@mayadg16]

Z Botello 😊👍🏽cool

[@silentsmurf]

Came here after listening to that story 😂

[@hollykmccourt]

she doesnt sing this song in the origonal key, does anyone know what key she sings it in?

[@rockysocky]

“You should have kept the book longer to meditate over.” Who talks like this lol.

[@VinMar-m6w]

Meditate means to think deeply or carefully about something.

[@rockysocky]

@@VinMar-m6w I’m aware what meditate means lol

[@palmereldritch7777]

Breaking the barriers once more of what theatre is capable of, thnk you mr Sondheim (and his incredible performers). Donna Murphy is one of the pearls inside the oyster.