Ocean Away - Abigail Barlow, Emily Bear & Darren Criss | The Kennedy Center at 50

Abigail Barlow, Emily Bear & Darren Criss perform Ocean Away from Bridgerton Musical during the Kennedy Center's 50th Anniversary concert.
This special evening, hosted by six-time Tony Award® winner Audra McDonald features preeminent artists, including Dianne Reeves, Darren Criss, Punch Brothers, Robert Glasper, Common, and many more with the NSO conducted by JoAnn Falletta, Steven Reineke, and Thomas Wilkins to recognize the great performance traditions that have enriched our varied cultural heritage and the bright future that lies ahead.
Premiered Oct. 1 at 9 p.m. EDT on PBS and the PBS Video App
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#KennedyCenterAt50 #oceanaway #bridgertonmusical #abigailbarlow #darrencriss #emilybear #thekennedycenter

[@RockBottom1999]

Can we talk about how cute Emily looks when she plays the piano!!! Man these talented ass women make me have goosebumps!!

[@Nightingale019]

YES!!! Seeing her face light up from behind the piano when the chorus first comes in is -adorable-! I'm so happy for them!!!

[@RockBottom1999]

@@Nightingale019 exactly!! they've come so far🥺

[@anthonyanderson2405]

Can we talk about how ill judged Emily was in purloining copyrighted material?

[@elenamacrides2297]

I can’t believe we were watching you write this on Instagram 9 months ago. How did this happen? Bloody incredible. Congratulations.

[@Lisa-jw9nz]

Actually it was on tiktok :)

[@oliviag469]

@@Lisa-jw9nz And also on Instagram.

[@Ebathora]

One day the world will be split into people who saw this on tik tok first and the people who saw it on instagram second

[@valeriecasados]

I would not be surprised if these girls got an offer to turn this into an actual Broadway musical within the next year!!! Such wonderfully written music!!! Also still can’t get over the fact that this unofficial musical started on TikTok and now they are performing at the Kennedy Center!!!

[@jesslauren1952]

i don’t think netflix wants it to be put onto the stage sadly

[@CollieNike3]

@@jesslauren1952 if there’s money involved, I bet they’d be interested.

[@RoyalUK2023]

It didn't start on tiktok. They created it themselves they just started to share the process there. Its not a tiktok musical like a lot of people think.

[@jesslauren1952]

@@CollieNike3 well they’ve said they’re not interested

[@jesslauren1952]

@@RoyalUK2023 it is still a tik tok musical. that term doesn’t mean people on tik tok helped them to write it lol

[@selahcaldwell3013]

EMILY IS PLAYING WITHOUT SHEET MUSIC!!!! These people are so freaking talented!!!!

[@lisavanachthoven9885]

She composed the song, you’d think she doesn’t need sheet music

[@mestewart82]

Playing without music isn't uncommon for concert pianists and such.

[@totakingrighturns]

She's probably plays it so many times she plays it in her sleep :)

[@leif1075]

How can I be as talented as she?

[@leif1075]

@@lisavanachthoven9885 even still, you forget a lot of stuff especially when you compose a lot of stuff right? I compose a little and can't remember a lot of it. Still I see yoir point it is generally easier to remember at least some if you wrote it.

[@firilo1]

Can we please talk about Darren matching his nails to Abigail's dress!!!!!!!! This was so freaking good, I have chills! screaming!

[@meganclarke4590]

this is abigail’s lin manuel miranda at the white house moment. why do i feel like in a few years, when bridgerton is one of the most successful musicals, people will be returning to this video? saying stuff like ‘this was where it all began for her’ 🤔

[@ArcheoLumiere]

It all began on a teeny huge video on TikTok in the beginning of this year

[@sincerely_sana5]

@@ArcheoLumiere yes but no lol Barlow and Bear was already writing a musical but this is what made them take off. And their first musical that has a album

[@springdayisnottoday371]

I hope so huhuhuhu

[@mg3929]

*for them. They are a writing duo and deserved to be recognised as a pair until they decide to pursue individual projects.

[@rw835]

They just won the Grammy for this album last month, so I’d say your prediction is already correct!

[@averyjudson8744]

It is so sweet to see Darren's support for these two incredible ladies - especially, as he got his start writing his own musical

[@mg3929]

He wrote the music sure, but let's not discount the other four creators who actually helped make AVPM what it was. These two have just won a Grammy, they are fine on their own without Darren's "support". Their work speaks for itself.

[@abigailruble8490]

@@mg3929 i think they’re just saying it’s cool to see that big celebrities are recognizing their incredible work and collaborating with them, especially those who are known for their work in theatre and music, i don’t believe they’re trying to diss their work or talent by any means

[@heidipyfferoen9784]

This performance is absolutely breathtaking! Bridgerton on Broadway will be one of the most iconic Broadway shows of all time (as big as the Lion King). Congrats to Abigail and Emily on their outstanding accomplishments already!

[@santdyayvijayakumar9617]

Total agree! I would pay a million bucks to see this on Broadway... Even more if Darren Criss is involved 😍

[@ladyeowyn42]

They’ve been sued for copyright infringement because they refused to license the material.

[@aby_lev89]

from tik-tok to the Kennedy Center-amazing! i've got chills! the orchestra, the beautiful dresses, i'm so excited and happy for them! Amazing!

[@mulethedonkey2579]

emily was big from childhood! Performed at the white house, carnegie hall, many others and released a top jazz album at nine, selling music to countless media companies, won an emmy for a PBS doc soundtrack the same year she won the grammy, selling out European stadiums at 16.

[@alexishagan4121]

I cant believe it went from "what if Bridgerton was a musical?" to this!!!! So amazing!!!

[@VG24601]

The way these girls dropped the ball so spectacularly. I'm judt sad we are never gonna hear Bridgerton the musical season 2 and 3

[@The2011Godfather]

of course Abigail is an amazing vocalist and genius songwriter but Emily has my heart, her talent and passion are unmatched

[@edoggy420]

i love the artistic choice to go falsetto instead of belt with daphne. i recently rewatched bridgerton and this soundtrack perfectly encapsulates the series. love it!!

[@laikacons]

Darren Criss makes me proud to be Filipino. He accomplished so much. I admire him for playing the roles he got to play

[@Jojo-hy8dm]

He’s Filipino?

[@laikacons]

@@Jojo-hy8dm yes!!

[@petiteetoile8376]

That explains his vocal chops

[@mg3929]

No offense, but Criss is at best a quarter Pilipino. He grew up in Hawaii for a brief period and then in the US for the rest of his life. His Mum grew up in the Philippines sure, but even she was only a third F/Pilipino. He's done nothing to celebrate, advance or acknowledge his heritage in this respect.

[@mg3929]

@@Jojo-hy8dm a quarter, so barely.

[@highlandvisual]

And now our girls have a Grammy! Nothing is impossible.

[@banyanwoolslayer3002]

I REMEMBER SEEING THE VERY FIRST BRIDGERTON MUSICAL TIKTOK AND NOW THIS OMGGGGG WOWWWW SO PROUDDD 🤩🤩

[@TheMKImusic]

THE ORCHESTRATIONS!!! The violins get me every single time.

[@elanalagrone3044]

Wow! Now GRAMMY NOMINATED ladies…so incredibly proud

[@Ebathora]

Grammy winners now 🥲

[@Qveenshxt]

Listening to this and only 3 thoughts kept repeating: 1. OMG! DARREN!! How did you get into this?! 2. I need a full album with him as Simon! And 3. Yeah….. yall really asked for that lawsuit.

[@cathyreichley9358]

GRAMMY WINNERS 🏆👏💜BARLOW and BEAR. 4/22. Way to go. Waiting for the play.

[@motorocker5368]

Watching Emily Bear play the piano is beautiful!! We’re seeing pure joy!

[@sethbender2863]

That was some stunning piano playing

[@lesmercredis]

Emily's smile at 0:58 is so "We're doing amazing, sweetie" 😭😍

[@augustwildflower]

I can’t stop watching! This is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard. When the brass kicks in on that second verse.🤯😍😭😭😭

[@jaymisynmarie]

this is huge!!!!! so unbelievably proud !!!!!!

[@p.velatorsmith5966]

I attended the celebration it was truly am awesome experience!!!

[@rieyadomi]

rewatching this BECAUSE THEY WON A GRAMMY!!

[@cam5970]

They deserved that grammy nomination.

[@mjbartholomew5317]

I love what these two young women have accomplished. They deserve all the success for this body of work.

[@musicallover8401]

I love Darren, but an artist with a deeper voice would have made this really amazing.

[@aishacoulibaly469]

Agreed

[@mayadoly3576]

I agree

[@elizabethcabrera6549]

Oohhh definitely! I love Joshua Henry’s alone together duet with Abigail in Elsie fest so much,and I was lowkey hoping that he’d sing with her as well

[@helenakoerner5536]

Yep! Probably someone who has a similar vocal range to Norm Lewis but a little younger.

[@MadFlourish]

tbh he could have used the original and I think he has been trained enough to pull it off --- @ 3:06 you can hear he sounds stronger because he is lower. Maybe he wanted an extra challenge

[@annaoffive]

So um, yeah, I’m crying

[@sarahdarling6439]

I feel so incredibly proud of these two women, absolute strangers to me. I saw the first Bridgerton Musical tiktok so long ago, and watching this now is insane. They’ve worked so hard and come so far with so much left to see and do 🥺

[@AshleySmith-zb2xj]

I’m crying, they did it. I love them so much ❤️

[@arzookausar4027]

Ok I am in love with these songs! They're basically all i listen to these days!!! They are sooo frickin talented!!! And so beautiful! Also has anyone else noticed that in "Burn for you" there is a line that says "Promise we'll never be oceans apart" and this song where Daphne and Simon are mad at each other, the song is called "Ocean away"!!! I mean just look at the genius here!!!

[@chrisrussell63]

Beyond her genius talent that showed up starting when she was a toddler, Emily is ethereally beautiful, she looks like a queen!

[@ribbonofsunshine]

CHILLLLLS

[@ameliapatrick6751]

king and queens ❤️

[@jen-mdln]

i'm in love with this performance

[@butterfliesarecool3876]

Beautiful. She's a natural up there. The only thing that tripped me up was the switching accents but I still got goosebumps regardless. Amazing!! And Emily's effortless playing? Chef's kiss.

[@bonjourbanks]

Crying right now 😭 just beautiful

[@GabbyLaluna]

I'm not crying... you are!!!!!

[@evamarie7938]

They got a Grammy nomination!!!!!

[@NicoleCinnaroll]

I kinda want a bridgerton the musical like even if it’s a special on Netflix

[@rosiela0235]

Chills... literal chills

[@Veronicapatino]

I can’t express how proud I am of them. Absolutely killed it

[@thegladys2651]

Pure talent. Cannot wait to see them take the world of musicals. Even though I love Darren, the role of Simon is not for him. Still looking forward to the right one to match Abigail's voice.

[@caitlinmarie2779]

you should look up the elsie fest set!! she sang it with zak resnik (who still isn’t right for simon but his voice is a better match)

[@thegladys2651]

@@caitlinmarie2779 🙇🏾‍♀️ Thank you very much. I have not seen that performance yet. I am on the way :)

[@caitlinmarie2779]

@@thegladys2651 of course! i saw it live and it was incredible!

[@thegladys2651]

@@alessia-adams yesss. He deserves an opportunity . In my opinion, Nick is the best match (Simon) until now. 😌😌

[@emmathompson9263]

This is literally what I said to my sister when I sent her the vid... Darren is incredibly talented but this is not his role...

[@molly.elizabeth5639]

Literal goosebumps all over - so amazing.

[@hannahrushford3572]

OMFGGG THAT WAS GOOD ABIGAIL AND DARENS VOICES ARE TOGETHER IS AMAZING

[@potteryannyy]

Chills. Literally chills.

[@autumnoreilly5014]

I got so obsessed with these extraordinary talented women as they made this and shared with on social media and to have it paired with Darren criss who is one of my all time favorites is just amazing!!

[@avivapeltin]

GOOSEBUMPS!

[@isabellagutierrez3972]

DAPHNE: What a beautiful party, I’m looking up at the ceiling a lot. The chandelier is so sparkly… You never said sorry Guess you forgot or Maybe you’re not sorry at all But a beautiful evening I want to know just what the hell are you thinking? Stoic, emotionless, over us all so… quickly What am I missing? I can’t even drink champagne. No, without seeing your face… Am I the one to blame? When we’re dancing in the same room, but you’re an ocean away. SIMON: What a terrible soirée With terrible people pretending they’re happy In this masquerade We go through the motions When all that we wish is escape From the choices we make And I see her smiling How can she be smiling? There’s been no reconciling And when she’s at my focus She won’t even notice my gaze How can she be okay? DAPHNE AND SIMON: When I can’t even drink champagne No Without seeing your face Am I the one to blame? When we’re dancing in the same room But you’re an ocean away Forget the ache from yesterday Why don’t we go dancing in the rain? I know you think that I should change But nothing in the world could sway my eye(?) When I can’t even drink champagne Dancing in the same room But your an ocean away DAPHNE: Your an ocean away SIMON: (Your an ocean away) DAPHNE AND SIMON: I can’t even drink, I can’t even drink champagne No Without hearing your name Am I the one to blame? DAPHNE: When are dancing in the same room SIMON: But your an ocean… away.

[@giovana1999ful]

SO PROUD OF THIS GIRLS, TO SEE THIS PROJECT SINCE THE BEGINNING AND WHERE THEY ARE NOW 😭❤️❤️❤️

[@socialgh0st]

This song is created SO BRILLIANTLY. I have only heard one of the Bridgerton musical songs (not this one) but have seen the entire show, and whilst watching this I managed to realise this must be another song, based on the piano and the way the woman sings. So talented!

[@tarahofarrell]

Just stunning.

[@zsaskiashabrina6864]

Goosebumps! 😭

[@abrielled58]

I hope this becomes a Broadway show someday. Love all the music

[@musicismylife916]

Omg I love them all so much ❤

[@vinceballou4630]

They've already notched their own original organic fame, which is the best kind. Anything beyond this is cherry on top.

[@lindseywoods1905]

I've listened to this more times than care to admit(mostly bc I don't count lol) in the past few days and yes the vocals, music, lyrics, and performance quality are all amazing. I literally cannot imagine how whirlwind these women must feel and they deserve all of this success because they are so incredibly talented and creative. This is spectacular! ...But.. Honestly its Darren's pink nails matching Abigail's dress perfectly that is the chef's kiss finish on this. I decided on that just now because I painted my nails neon green and I love that his are matching with her so perfectly ahhh.

[@rosietovar]

Perfection, there are no other words than perfection.

[@SwKarin]

They did such a great job! The last minute when they went into a softer voice was my favourite.

[@blinkwiththerevelsxx8306]

I am so so proud of Abigail and Emily 😭 its just soooo good. They deserve everything!

[@EvaHernandez-sj1mh]

Perfectly perfect 🥰❤️

[@Glee73]

its amazing how emily has progressed in her career.. i still remember watching her performing jazz and classical pieces as a kid and now a grammy winner.

[@rosadiaz1739]

abigail barlow sung the first note and i suddenly got tears in my eyes and goose bumps😭

[@llMatchaLatteHerell]

the fact i still go back to this ---- ahhhhhhh its amazing !!

[@LMarie-kp6lb]

Abigail is singing as Daphne while wearing a very featherington dress!!

[@leenbean14]

This song always makes me cry and get shivers.

[@swannisern9533]

Emily is the diamond of the season

[@robbezzz]

...of the past decade and decades to come!

[@reganthomas4840]

Emily’s playing instantly brings tears to my eyes

[@xoxoxy5598]

I immediately fell in love with Burn For You and Ocean Away. Also, the fact that these songs were written because Emily and Abigail were inspired by the show!? And they're incredibly young

[@leizlalfonso7084]

I can’t get enough of this performance. Thanks a lot!

[@MsPeppers21]

pov: Barlow and Bear just won a Grammy and now you're watching this and sobbing at 1am

[@alyssamelody]

I'm legit crying watching this. Congrats Emily and Abigail on your amazing achievement! It's been such a joy watching your journey

[@Godlovesyouall12]

I cannot explain how beautiful this is

[@clairecrichfield6363]

Beautiful!! I love this!!! #barlowandbear

[@KayAH94]

First of all. Emily is amazing. Absolutely amazing. And the voice are amazing. But I always want more chemistry from those two

[@DaleMurph]

Wow i have been a fan of Abigail's for many years. I know i would have recognized her if they used her whole name not just her last on the Kelly Clarkson show. Congrats on her EMMY.

[@alishataylor9770]

It literally feels like I was only just watching them on Instagram live writing this and now they’re at the Kennedy centre! What an inspiration 💗

[@mollyc5507]

Ugh Emily is so pure and proud omg the JOY

[@sofiaescobar3285]

this is so beautiful

[@bonjourbanks]

I would love to hear these 2 voices in the soundtrack! 😍

[@alinakaraokegmailcom]

The matching nails 😵😵😵😵I can’t❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

[@werew3]

Wow! I didn’t know darren could sing at that register… this is amazing though

[@cynthiacazares4807]

Love this. I keep replaying. I would love to for them to put this out as a single so I could buy it.

[@tomb.7582]

Thank you ladies for sharing your phenomenal gift & talents with the world. Wow, well done! Sincerely, Tom. (US Army Vet & performer on & off ice) 😇🎼🎹🎸💝🎆

[@meghanmikayla8824]

This is absolutely amazing

[@andymarie]

I got CHILLS when she said champagne at the start and that’s how I knew this was going to be good 😶😩

[@palmtreegal3]

This is so awesome

[@aditi.solanki]

they got a live band so fricken proud of them

[@unclewiley1986]

I love Abagail and Darren dearly but their voices don't blend very well when they sing together. I can't tell if it's because they're not in the same register, if its just they way their voices are, or if they're both trying to sing lead but the harmonies aren't there. I'd love to see Darren as Anthony though, it'd fit him so well.

[@infjuicy7347]

agreed, but lowkey i feel like none of the male voices will ever make me feel the way abigail's 'male' voice does

[@DrRedRose8]

Same but I figured that’s just ‘cause I’m gay

[@infjuicy7347]

@@DrRedRose8 LMFAOO

[@sandramarie7393]

abigail’s voice, while VERY good, doesn’t lend itself much to theatre. i also think she was hella nervous which i would also be, considering this her big break moment, whereas darren was on the biggest show of the early 2010s and has performed events like this before

[@sabrinabytheway1476]

she also lowered it from the original octave and although I think this one might've worked with different voices the original pitch and harmony are perfect

[@txmlinson]

I was SO happy they won the Grammy, truly deserved

[@SteelTreeGone]

Beautiful Song ,I 😍 love it, they sing wonderful. Gremat singers

[@daphnevandenberg5811]

I love this!

[@inesmachadocasamentos2828]

its Emily's smiles for me

[@wolfstar_is_superior1948]

the power in this song is phenomenal- i cant believe it all started a year ago

[@tammiepulley7167]

So enjoyable. Love it.

[@SweetDreams84]

Beautiful 💖

[@kendallpaige4160]

I would love for when the musical happens for these two to be the leads 🤩

[@1Megan1Grace]

Its so overwhelming seeing her go from tiktok to the Kennedy Center like yes mam!! Get it ladies!!!

[@1Megan1Grace]

And Darren go Darren!