OBSESSED!: Anne Runolfsson's "Victor/Victoria" High Note and Understudy Mayhem

www.playbill.com/video Broadway veteran Anne Runolfsson ("Les Misérables," "The Phantom of the Opera") joined Seth Rudetsky in the studio for the latest installment of the biweekly OBSESSED! series. After giving a sample of some "Phantom," Runolfsson relived the whirlwind ride that she experienced filling in for Julie Andrews right in the middle of a performance of "Victor/Victoria." Then, she gave a taste of her extra high notes in the the show's "Le Jazz Hot."

[@lacrosseman02]

It's like she flipped a switch when she was sliding into that E, her vocal cords were like "DANGER WILL ROBINSON" and she's like "NEED MORE POWA"

[@AtlanticGiantPumpkin]

It's an F, actually, if you're talking about her high note.

[@xxchiefaustinxx]

Josie Alyvia There is both an E and an F in the video.

[@philskala8938]

I love Seth's little clap bar and "vocal damage" end vamp!

[@blackbelt360]

She's even able to articulate the 't' at the end of her opt-up 'hot'. Incredible!

[@WerdnaNiraehs]

RIGHT THOUGH?! I wasn't expecting it.

[@SweeneyTodd5197]

That E was BEASTLY

[@saschahoupt6177]

She hit an F at the very end.

[@davidwh2653]

Oh my god that last note, both belted and soprano, were ridiculous. Either way, it's an F. Holy crap.

[@SavageBubblegum]

the microphone couldn't even handle that beast note

[@adollarajoke]

Anne is an incredible singer. I worked with her on "Aspects of Love" in 1990. Previously, Anne arrived in New York and quickly scored a part in Les Miserable, and was second understudy to Fantine. The story goes that within her first week in the show the actress playing Fantine, and the first understudy were both out, and Anne had to go on…. at age 24. She made it through "I dreamed a dream"… and the barricades….. and was all set to live the Broadway dream… and then, at the end of the show, she appears on stage as a ghost, to take Valjean to Heaven and trips - falls flat on her face, live on stage at the Broadway Theater. And while it's true that Ghosts don't fall, to her credit, she got back on her feet, and took the Frenchman to his Maker. In "Aspects of Love" she was a swing - it seemed strange that she would accept such a position. Early in the production, I remember she went on as a male character. A spineless prick named Perry Cline was the Production Stage Manager and he didn't believe Anne could sing the part. She said that she could sing the part if they could strap down her bosom. Several hundred feet of gaffer's tape was applied, and Anne carried off the part with perfection Anne Runolfsson can sing anything.she wants… it's just a matter of if she wants…. and if you're there when she wants, it will be a sacred day. Hallelujah.

[@grandcarriage1]

DELICIOUS DELICIOUS GOSSIP

[@smurf902]

I've heard as much about her for so many years and thought well she certainly has the range but am I going to like the actual sound of her voice doing all these things both belt and head? And yes, she has true beauty and power in both registers. Just absolutely incredible. That one clip of her holding out Touch Me in the spoof thingy with Laurie Beechman coming out and shooting her in the Easter thing is so fantastic. My God! Someone who can hold a candle to both Laurie Beechman and Judy Kaye equally is astonishing to me.

[@TenorReacts]

9:54 that F6 gave me life! 🎵

[@cub8869]

I saw Anne in VICTOR VICTORIA when Liza Minelli cancelled. She was awesome and we gave her the standing ovation she deserved!

[@Emmy01077]

I think I am the only one who appreciates the "Carlotta Note " in the manger scene.

[@PensadorProfundo42]

The most beautiful high F on record. Including any and all opera recordings I know of. This is fantastic. FAN-TAS-TIC.

[@herreguda6199]

I am so obsessed with this video. I didn't even know about Anne Runolfsson, but she is my new hero. This is unbelievable! Thanks for educating me on wonderful singers, Seth Rudetsky!

[@MatSwim94]

3 octaves like nothing... i'm quite jealous...

[@wotan10950]

Absolutely amazing! Why haven’t I heard more about her? She should be headlining all the big shows.

[@lucyshearer7117]

I listened out for the high E when I saw phantom about a month ago. If you really pay attention to Carlotta you'll hear it

[@rosierose290]

When does it happen??

[@wickedphant0m]

Lezbehonest69 It's the very last line of "Notes" before it becomes "Prima Donna" in the manager's office scene in Act 1.

[@KaewGBi]

Whoa! F6! The whole range was AMAZING!

[@JordynsPoetryPannier]

What kind of out of the world range is this!? Good stuff, you two!

[@icypeanutpolo]

Well she has at least three octaves on her, but that high E6 is something else. I bet she can probably go higher too, but her low range is what really got to me. Those low notes were ridiculously low. I mean, like the lower part of an altos range she nailed. She was at an E3and then all the way up to that E6...that's some kind of crazy!

[@icypeanutpolo]

Actually, I didn't even think about her second high note, which happens to be an even higher F6!!! That's the famous high note from the queen of the nights aria...seriously amazing voice quality too!

[@harlemhomme]

Sheesh--I keep returing to this clip...just amaaaazing!

[@toastedmackeralgames6656]

1:43 me when a cockroach crawls out from under my bed

[@BarakatLush]

This was so worth the watch!!! Anne has such an incredible range, and that story was hilarious!

[@grandcarriage1]

I can't bring my jaw up after that last note. That is UNBELIEVABLE!!!

[@kyleatkinson8941]

Anne has literally cured my entire body with this option up. QUEEN! 👸🏻

[@alvarocastro1997]

I can't believe there's no other recording of her, so much talent!

[@kenmcleod3733]

She did a solo cd way back when she was in V/V.

[@pjm9275]

Just as Seth said: REVIVE IT

[@alejandroespinosa7085]

i always come back to this video is amazing

[@oofahman]

I was at a performance of v/v with Anne. ASTOUNDING!!! sure wish she would return to Bway!!!!

[@mtmorrispk]

Loved the story....and the sound was BEYOND

[@CristyTango]

Well there go my dreams of ever playing this part. DAMN. FIERCE. Get it.

[@brilliant1a]

Anne is amazing!!

[@orion8835]

Excellent work. And beyond fabulous.

[@TomIdelson]

Top F!!! And a long perfectly held one!!! #Brava #stillgotit 🤩👏

[@milesmartin4958]

Wouldn't Anne have been like 30 years younger than Julie at the time? I think that says a mouthful about the both of them! :D

[@kimemerson8728]

Yes, Julie was 60 years old.

[@Jillian60]

I remember when Anne went in for VictorVictoria !!

[@TX1961]

Victor, Victoria should be recreated in some way with Anne R. performing the songs with her fabulous range.

[@karencusterthurstonthewoma9252]

how brave she was to step on stage. unbelievable E note.

[@Celatra]

it's an F.

[@TheBritishActingCoach]

Inspirational! What a woman. Thank you for this video!

[@AtlanticGiantPumpkin]

Vocal damage!

[@macklincrewe]

Absolutely incredible. These Broadway shows should forget about putting the names on the marquee and start with putting some talent on the stage. Bad sound and mediocre accompaniment ... This was the best I have ever heard this song. I actually have some VHS tapes of Anne doing Victor Victoria as a stand in for Julie Andrews during a rehearsal (Rehearsal studio). Unfortunately, you can't really here that gorgeous voice and it was in the Julie Andrews key.

[@moirabrown6105]

Her mannerisms and voice remind me so much of Julia Louis Dreyfus...both so talented!

[@breezy4me1]

That was dope!!

[@maramarsman7399]

Fairly sure she broke my earplugs with that last note

[@jonathanwilson9110]

HOLY SHIT! THIS WOMAN CAN SING! I can only WISH to sing this well someday! BRAVA! 🙌😍

[@shonarader8680]

They totally should revive Victor Victoria!

[@oofahman]

I totally agree! That original Bway musical got totally ripped off by the Tony snobs! Love to see it again!!!!

[@oofahman]

I loved it, but I defintely see your point as well :) I LOVED the movie too!

[@Feroal2]

Incredible!

[@pmurraymusic]

the way I screamed at the end. wow.

[@harlemhomme]

hahaha!

[@ClarkRahman]

I always appreciated that high e in Phantom, even before I learned much about music. Do other people really not hear it? It adds the punch to that final phrase.

[@ClarkRahman]

Also, Victor/Victoria really needs a Broadway revival when theaters reopen (written Jan 2021 in pandemic).

[@uncletibs]

LOVE IT! E E E E E!!!!

[@Jillian60]

Wow Anne !! That Note !!

[@jovibaby]

“revive it” hahaha i love him

[@BigShinelover]

WOOOOOOOOOW!!! YES MA'AM!!

[@Drezzedtokill1]

This story is EVERYTHING!!!!!!!! .. love Anne for telling us this ! ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️🏳️‍🌈

[@83056]

Wow @ the end

[@ANightworkerslife]

Daaaamn, just, daaaamn.

[@anthonyhenrysmith]

wow!

[@grandcarriage1]

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!! Ohmygodohmygodohmygod! I’m not the world’s biggest theatre geek by a LONG shot, but I just totally geeked out on that final ending.

[@actorguy213]

A. Mazing.

[@cezartb]

The only word that came to mind is mtrfukcer this woman is CRAZY gifted. What a VOICE

[@adrianaosorio]

Wow!

[@brookemartin6101]

1:42 How, HOW!?!? 🤷‍♀️👏

[@Shroder98]

Omg...I'm 💀 ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@WerdnaNiraehs]

In the production I just saw, I just barely heard it.

[@PaulTheillusionist]

Wow

[@bethelle9099]

The BEST of the best!!!! .........A W E S O M E.......

[@alejandroespinosa7085]

wooooow

[@duranddavis7710]

Awesome., Funny story🤣

[@livelaughlove0209]

I rememeber that shit. I played Carlotta in high school, shit fucked me up....and I was sick

[@brookemartin6101]

Watching this again after a loooong while, Did Seth say Anne has an 8 and 1/2 octave range!?!?

[@VivaColoratura]

Record….NOW……please!!!!!????

[@stephaniestanley8041]

Good God

[@malikholley2159]

Where can you find this piano sheet

[@k.burton3473]

What the junk with that last note?!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *fanning myself* *glasses broke, on the floor*

[@tweedledum21]

Julie Andrews you aint (that's a given) but OMG OUTSTANDING!!!!!

[@Armageddonff951]

Does anyone know what key he's playing this in?

[@mikemills7246]

Why did he say vocal damage?

[@taras5290]

O M to the G G! Hahahahaha

[@mikaylalynn5999]

Julie was 5'7... lol her long legs just made her look killer tall. get it right people!!

[@Shamsithaca]

strange, im 5 11 and when i met her, she was standing almost eye to eye with me. Shes definitely NOT 5 7.

[@logannewman6251]

I just want to be best her friend!

[@plaguebunny7386]

oww owwww ear drum damage but amazing tho

[@harajukukevin6657]

aND IM DONE

[@joncampos5551]

“Is it live, or is it Memorex?” Old cassette tape commercial.

[@Himaryous]

I'm just going to stop singing now forever. :: slinks away ::

[@AtlanticGiantPumpkin]

It is an F, not an E.

[@alainanatale4008]

FUCK I LITERALLY TRIED TO HIT THE END NOTE (LIKE THE *EXTREME* END NOTE) AND I ACTUALLY DID IT WHERE'S MY DAMN EQUITY CONTRACT LMAOOO

[@stevehinnenkamp5625]

Sometimes Seth gets out of control. He asks things from great talent, who are tremendous. Yet they should close the piano lid on his fingers. He is simply using them. He is Svengali, trying to trumpet his reputation without heart or soul.

[@paulnoel7196]

Screeching is NOT singing ! Julie Andrews NEVER Screeched,

[@edisonthethird]

Paul Noel this is pure vocal technique. No screeching here my friend!

[@paulnoel7196]

INDEED!

[@alainanatale4008]

That was not a screech I think it was just the microphone

[@paulnoel7196]

And she has very little control of the melody.