So Much Better - Legally Blonde Workshop; Annaleigh Ashford

Annaleigh Ashford as Elle at a Legally Blonde Workshop singing So Much Better.

[@macmoore9942]

can we just take a sec to appreciate the piano man who is playing complex piece and singing at the SAME time like what

[@louise9489]

Mac Moore he did write it lol

[@brookexx1998]

Yes the “piano man” wrote the entire score and his name is Laurence O’Keefe.

[@izzypray3028]

Yessss

[@jrthiker9908]

Yep, but this is exactly what is expected of opera and Bway pianists/coaches/conductors...you have to be able to play the score and sing all the cues in whatever language. In opera companies, this is how they audition you....for example playing the first 40 page of La Boheme, or playing/singing the act 2 finale of Mozart's Marriage of Figaro (le nozze di Figaro), singing all the parts at the same time. It's tough, but it makes you learn the scores inside out, and if you move on to being music director or conductor, you're that much better because you know what the singers need. When Phantom first came to Bway in the mid 1980's, they mined the opera world for pianist/coaches/assistant conductors. Many friends of mine were pulled into Bway from opera because of that...starting as rehearsal pianist, moving to keyboard in the pit, then conducting matinees, then doing music director for the national/world tours, etc.

[@leif1075]

@@brookexx1998 Thanks for the name..still it is a pretty hard piece to play even if he wrote it due in part tonthe speed and maybe complex chords..a little at least..

[@PhantomifyEponine]

that pianist tho

[@hilmijaidin1156]

That's Laurence O'Keefe, he wrote the score to the show

[@sarahshoemaker6150]

"Better Jobs, Better Jobs and Bigger Rings" I lost it at this point, and it was pretty nice to hear them chuckling to. I love how she was able to laugh at herself.

[@avpm1421]

Love how she is getting into character while he is talking. Wish i could have seen her as Elle

[@sophersaucer7666]

She only performed as Elle for one show (no really! Look it up!)

[@beesare_cool]

Sopher Saucer 👀

[@louiselundh1275]

To all of those saying Annaleigh is better than Laura at this song; remember when Laura sang this in the musical she had performed close to half the musical while Annaleigh came straight from backstage and had time to rest her voice. Besides Laura does have a heart problem and often after a performance has to inhale oxygen to breath properly. :)

[@veronicabudde9737]

I have seen videos of LBB not onstage singing this, but I still think annaleigh is better

[@louiselundh1275]

Awesome I also think Annaleigh is a great singer but I like LBB better. Its good that everyone likes different things :)

[@hannahpan4816]

+Louise Lundh I agree I think Laura is like WOW!

[@skyletta0626]

+Louise Lundh Not to mention Laura was walking and dancing all over the stage. Its a big stage to fill! Love LBB. The best.

[@louiselundh1275]

skyletta0626 Very true indeed!

[@kmb1023x]

PROPS TO THE PIANO GUY- he has to rock out and play the song correctly AND he has to sing harmony AND he has lines!!!

[@Chelsea-sf3bx]

That’s- because he’s the composer...

[@jellyace1189]

@@Chelsea-sf3bx Being a composer doesn't necessarily mean you're good at singing much less harmonizing _while_ playing......

[@Chelsea-sf3bx]

jelly ace i know props to him but op said “piano guy” so it seems like they thought he was an accompanist who learned all that though in reality he was the composer so at least playing the song correctly is not a challenge for him

[@Chelsea-sf3bx]

Also i know that was impressive i was just saying he wrote it in case ppl don’t know

[@autumnde-morette8883]

I think Annaleigh's singing is prettier and more polished than Laura's, but Laura had more bite, and was just more "Elle." Annie slayed as Margot though.

[@kittee6409]

I agree with you completely.

[@izzypray3028]

Yeah I agree

[@mariagriffin5873]

Annaleigh is awesome!

[@mishapenmoonmoth]

I totally agree. Personally, I think the polished tone comes from not dancing and singing at the same time. She can focus on her vocals consistently.

[@izzypray3028]

beebo is our king you’re so right

[@oliver-bv5rj]

I love when the pianist just clears his throat in the beginning

[@miawood4056]

That's part of the song

[@toreemarabelles2829]

why didn't she replace LBB instead of them doing a whole show to find another girl? She would have been amazing !!!!

[@purrkittycatman6496]

I agree.

[@monaeleanor7685]

she was the understudy for elle woods

[@monaeleanor7685]

+JaRon Smalley i know :)

[@APrevosto16]

Toree Marabelles she already had a lead role in this show she was a cappa nu girl

[@toreemarabelles2829]

yeah I know. But they could've just made her the lead since she knew everything about the show and was the understudy. why not just find another girl to replace her kappa nu role?

[@kimvanloon7307]

This was so great! But why does everyone have to compare literally EVERYONE who played Elle to Laura Bell Bundy?! No person is the same, and everyone has different ways and techniques on how they do things like this, so I think that everyone should be compared only to themselves

[@jrthiker9908]

One of the issues with Bway....they expect everyone in subsequent casts and productions to sound like the actors who originated the roles. In opera you're given a lot more leeway. But in Bway, they want quality control, so you're basically recreating the cast recording and staging. Friends of mine in the Phantom world tours said the home office would send scouts out to drop in on performances...even in the chorus if you did anything to stand out or were different, you were called out....staging and singing.

[@myyou7335]

Some people are just more suited for a job than other people. I disliked LBB when I was just fresh from Reese witherspoon movie version but now I can't imagine any other singers doing Elle aside from LBB. Someone is close second but I forgot her name. Same cast in broadway but not LBB elle. The broadway cast are the best leads and supporting in my opinion.

[@vizionzen4668]

Theyre comparing it to elle and LBB is more elle basically and i agree but that doesnt mean she didnt slay

[@nssquared9174]

For the same reason anyone dumb enough ( Matthew Broderick) to play Harold Hill is going to get compared to Robert Preston. Just that LBB was the original. A lot of people think that means the best. (which, in the case of Robert Preston it was!)

[@vizionzen4668]

@@nssquared9174 i mean go off ig

[@SabrinaTwyla]

I kind of like that she sang the last two notes "Than Before" in her mixed belt. It sounded so nice and smooth and sustained.

[@julia.f.farina]

Wow! She makes that song seem easy (HA!) She has really great technique. It never sounds like she's straining or hurting (I can't say the same for all singers on Broadway.)

[@lucyslayage]

Julia Farina yes but she hasn’t had to sing a whole act before this, she was able to rest her voice before singing, which usually can’t happen on Broadway

[@kristoferwilson6593]

Luce G as a performer myself i can tell you, if you use proper technique you wouldn’t be straining either way

[@wooshifdumb3637]

Kristofer Wilson yeah but, rest tho

[@jailovegarriga3009]

Kristofer Wilson as a performer too, your voice can be strained especially if you have an underlying condition- I have asthma (basic Ik) but LBB has another oxygen problem (with her heart). No matter what, with confidence, you do great.

[@Jojo-hy8dm]

You can call Barrett out, it’s fine😂

[@TabrisFruLar]

I really lved her a one of the Delta Nu girls on the show But she wuld've been AWESOME as Elle... :( Her Glinda is actually my 2nd favourite (only beneath Cheno), in all these years of Wicked... I just adore her... and she's soooooo nce.... ;)

[@Chaneloweenz]

+Tabris Fru Lar she did play elle for a while

[@TabrisFruLar]

Missstinky Cat well it sucks i didnt catch her, then :(

[@TabrisFruLar]

ctn04132 actually I had heard she played Elle only twice... but she made me think... glad to know I was right :P (I mean, for me, because then i don't feel THAT BAD about not catching her as Elle).

[@iellaterreur7865]

She's so goood love her

[@mattcookie]

that pianist is SO good! this song is bloody hard

[@Chelsea-sf3bx]

He wrote it :))

[@sophiat8250]

I used to think she'd make a better Elle than Laura, but now I think she doesn't have enough bite. She's perfect as Glinda though :)

[@Kaylacreatingchaos]

Jamie Mueller I feel like she could have replaced LBB in the broadway musical instead of them going out and finding a whole new girl. The new girl who played her (Bailey) was not right for the part at all. She didn't have the Elleness to her. So I think she could have been Elle, but nobody could top LBB

[@monaeleanor7685]

who else thought of evana Lynch ( luna Lovegood) when they first saw annaleigh Ashford?

[@lexibrown1100]

Mona Eleanor me

[@josiemac7807]

Mona Eleanor actually, yeah, when you mention it!

[@libbyrachelvlogs5805]

Yeah

[@kidkrowtaylor.ৎ]

MEEEEEEE

[@pixiiglittetr]

Annaleigh is honestly great! Her voice is so bubbly and PERFECT for roles like Margot and Glinda. I think she would do great as Elle, too, although Laura Bell Bundy would be really hard to live up to!

[@OperaGhostObsession]

Sometimes singers forget while they're singing. It's easy to get caught up in such an exciting song. What really maters is that she kept the energy and did not for a second hesitate or let us know she made a mistake. Not knowing the words is to stand there looking entirely lost.

[@brucecogan4100]

We have learned since 2011 that Ashford is one of the great musical stars on Broadway. Defining her character through one song in a little over 4 minutes is extraordinarily difficult -- and Ashford pulls this off with panache. This is a pure Brava moment!

[@micaelaroyo4837]

The pianist is 10/10 !! Hes playing the piece *and* singing along?? Crazy talented 😍😍

[@sarahcampbell4767]

i think she is better as margot (loved her in that part) laura is amazing as elle

[@TheDreadedZero]

I LOVED her as Margot

[@alliewankenobi]

Annaleigh is adorable!!

[@margaretcathcart2953]

she’s incredible! she adds her own spin to the song, which i appreciate

[@missmusicforever02]

THE PIANIST MADE ME LAUGH THAT WAS EXTRA

[@welcometofalsettolannddd2924]

What about him was extra?

[@lydiabryda6625]

Laura was a little better but Annaleigh could have easily been a great Elle

[@jmfelt117]

+stargirlhorse true

[@jackduffield4561]

She was Laura’s understudy

[@aschlynahrens9428]

Lydia Bryda She was the BEST Margot!

[@hellofriends2649]

So much better?

[@carolinaqueiros1275]

She Looks like evanna lynch

[@PhantomifyEponine]

omg i thought i was the only one

[@lexislifestyle9887]

I think I prefer annaleigh as Margot, one of the main sorority girls, but she would have made such a great Elle one LBB left! LBB will always be the best Elle tho.

[@animeactress13]

Awe she's so adorable!! Love her version of this

[@osaeg6547]

this is amazing i didnt know annaliegh played elle before but laura's preformance just seem more pure, high energy, and overall her excitement in the scene is just more believable than annaleigh's

[@ninninin656]

The tempo is too quick - poor girl has to sing this so fast, she can hardly catch her breath!

[@johngarvey5234]

But that's the way it's written, one of the reasons Broadway is the best of the best :)

[@ninninin656]

John Garvey No, that's not how it's written, the tempo is usually slower.

[@meowool]

Remember this is workshop so it was still a work in progress at that time!

[@kylemead8997]

If she was running out of breath it sounded better than anyone else I’ve heard sing t at this tempo because that is the original tempo.... just sayin h

[@sophietice]

The pianist always follows the singer, not the other way round, so it would have been her choice to sing this fast

[@isabellaholland7215]

Dang that piano player is AMAZING

[@lordfarquad2124]

Her and LBB have the best voice types for this song! There both so different and bring there own little changes and twist to it! Love it

[@aubreye8108]

Why didn't she replace Laura, instead of Bailey? Annaleigh would have been amazing!

[@LunarLepusCosplay]

Aubrey S she was already signed on to play Glinda in Wicked when LBB left Legally Blonde

[@trinitybair7516]

I've gone on to better jobs... Better jobs and bigger... Jobs... PS I love you annaleigh ashford

[@harrietjones1409]

Wow she has an incredible incredible voice! She didn’t break a sweat singing this!

[@TahtahmesDiary]

I could watch people redo this musical all day, just has such great songs and characters and I love everyone’s different interpretation of Elle ❤

[@novegansorvegetariansallow7143]

*For Me It's Not Who's Better Or Worse. Can We Just ALL AGREE!! At Just How SICK!! The Whole Cast Was?! ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!!!*

[@kidkrowtaylor.ৎ]

Awww Annaleigh is just so cute! She's one of my favorite Glinda's and she's going to be in Mean Girls!!!

[@christiancandela9144]

She is so phenomenal at everything she does.

[@Sabrinajaine]

She has a great voice! Apparently she only actually played Elle once though - does anyone know why? Did something go wrong or was she just not right for the part?

[@Sabrinajaine]

Rachel Cuddington Ohh I see, that makes sense

[@justinm2697]

+Sabrina Jaine This is a little late, but just so you know.......there is site called IBDB (internet broadway data base). It's like IMDB for Broadway. It has a ton of information about shows. Cast, replacements, understudies, full production credits, even tickets sales on a weekly basis. It's really interesting.

[@ashara3259]

She played Margot in the original and was also the understudy for Elle, then by the time they were looking for a new Elle she had already been playing Galinda for 9 months

[@kidkrowtaylor.ৎ]

@@ashara3259Galinda. With a GA.

[@lisafs0902]

Annaleigh is awesome! I love how she is still acting, even though she's in front of a music stand. THAT is what a good actor does. Act with their voice, facial expressions, and hand gestures.

[@theoperatripleaxel5417]

She was AMAZING!

[@iKONLILAC]

She has good voice!

[@constanzalarrea225]

I think i'm in love!, her voice is AWESOME!

[@elenaatanasovski6373]

her voice is stunning!

[@merlinhlr3553]

how is he able to sing that high?

[@joshietoshie]

+Merlin Holler If your talking about the "every night part" i think he is using mixed voice in that part. I see some highschools take that part down the octave and its not as good.

[@Emma-gl9rp]

I know nobody likes to talk about voicecracks and mistakes because they might sound mean, but she did so well acting like nothing ever happened and embracing the mistakes rather than stopping, and that’s what makes an incredible actress. Props to you, Annaleigh Ashford!

[@abigailnoelmortensen482]

Annaleigh is an absolute comedian. She’s an incredible actress (and singer) in general, but she nails the comedic timing of every funny line. It’s why she makes an amazing Margot but not as good of an Elle. Elle has a much more serious side, especially in this song. It’s part of what made her a great Glinda.

[@ThatOneGirl159]

When I first saw Legally Blonde: the Musical, I didn't think she was that good. But when I started seeing videos of her as Glinda and I changed my mind. Now I'm absolutely sure that she's amazing.

[@coloradonerdherd3884]

Legally Blonde was her start on Broadway. It makes sense that it wasn't her best role.

[@kidkrowtaylor.ৎ]

She's also Karen in Mean Girls and Heather McNamara in Heathers

[@XTReporting]

This performance always makes me smile.

[@Mgaby1992]

I still see Margot even though she’s singing Elle’s song 😂

[@hiilikespicynoodles5873]

Wow she’s so good !!!!

[@whitneyballard7019]

I LOVE THIS LIKE SO MUCH

[@kidkrowtaylor.ৎ]

Such a cutieeeeeee! Time stamp for her iconic high note: 4:00

[@prideandprejudicebyjaneausten]

She is amazing. Loved her as Margot, and she is also amazing as Elle.

[@Th3On3Y0uW4nt]

ANNALEIGH IS SO WIN!!!! BRING HER BACK AS ELLE!!!! PLEASE!!!!

[@PlushChronicles]

She sung this better than anybody fight me. Should've played Elle. Hope she does if they do a reboot!

[@GreenFordFocus09]

This is rad. You can argue over stuff, but yeah, this is rad.

[@quecksilvereyes8750]

i think its really cute that she cant help but do parts of the original choreography while singing

[@SunshineStudios2021]

cat valentine vibes from this and i'm living for it

[@chandlerscottdavid]

The only thing I didn't love was that she mixed the "than before" at the end of the song, other than that, she was amazing.

[@chandlerscottdavid]

I am completely cognizant if that fact but I was just expressing that I didn't care for it no matter whose decision it was.

[@ericarichter5542]

Her and Laura both do the character differently, and they are both AMAZING

[@mrnate73]

Just awesome. I saw her in "Legally Blonde", but not as "Elle" Annaleigh can make a BAD show seem awesome (Rent Revival) Lol ;)

[@mrnate73]

Love her!

[@Blue-xt7kc]

rent is a show I love, but god the revival.

[@kidkrowtaylor.ৎ]

i love rent but the revival oh god. also wasn't Aaron Tveit in the Rent revival with her?

[@porshawilliams7127]

I don't know about you guys, but I absolutely love her acting durning this! sure she isn't on stage and it's harder to act completely but she really make it believable. So good!

[@LittleDropofSun]

I love her so much, as Glinda or Elle... she's perfect for this kind of role.

[@kidkrowtaylor.ৎ]

She's going to play Karen in Mean girls! She's so good at playing stereotypical blondes

[@avrilallen]

She's fantastic!

[@donebeingbullied]

Love her voice paired with this song! Or really any song!

[@NoodlesStageSpace]

I LOVE HER SO MUCH can anyone else imagine her as sharpay in hsm

[@kidkrowtaylor.ৎ]

i can see her as sharpay

[@gianmarcelchiu6355]

Annaleigh and Laura are both amazing singers and both have their own strengths and weaknesses so I guess it is not wise to compare them

[@kaiecheverria5238]

She is amazing! I could actually understand what she was saying this time.

[@silentsmurf]

Lol I felt the same way when I heard her Sunday in the Park with George 😂 she has great diction!

[@annaelizabeth5536]

She's amazing!!

[@353kirbyrox]

I love her as Margot in the greek chorus/delta new group more than anything else- She's just so peppy and ditzy and perfect :)

[@blue_renee]

i love her so much omg!! im actually playing margot in my hs’s legally blonde and i am so excited :DD

[@sterre4ever]

I JUST LOVE ANNALEIGH

[@Raven-fp5ic]

she reminds me of reese witherspoon

[@tiactus]

what a healthy sounding belt !!!!

[@lonelylittledot]

Aww she's wonderful

[@krussell1608]

I still think Laura is my favourite, but this girl is amazing! Better than Bailey...

[@mariagriffin5873]

K Russell thanks!

[@crispykett]

Laura is the perfect Elle, and Annaleigh is perfect as Margot 💕💕

[@mollydonahue9837]

They should have made her Elle instead of making a reality show. But I still love Bailey though😄

[@Caroline28483]

That was a) Because she was playing Galinda in Wicked and b) The TV show was good for marketing. However, I do agree with you.

[@RheaIR]

Hit it, the original key.. And getting notes to say she would be better in "x role".. I know this is an old video... But such a voice in anything I have heard :)

[@jasminerebeckah2417]

#STILL WAY BETTER THAN BAILEY HANKS

[@Zoetemple102]

FRRRR

[@Redboy-bm8gr]

JasmineRebeckah OMG Your right!!!

[@CaseyReads]

+JasmineRebeckah So much better than Bailey Hanks :)

[@skyletta0626]

+JasmineRebeckah She wasnt terrible, but i agree that Annaleigh was better

[@Kelly-ik6pn]

+JasmineRebeckah why does everyone rip on Bailey?

[@boniwons]

Loved the pianist 💖

[@harrietjones1409]

2:46 lol I am in tears at this guys singing😂

[@emma.8626]

Probably my fav ver.

[@hellokittyfan244]

That was awesome! I liked how her interpretation was a little different from Laura's without being overdone. Amazing!

[@nicoletrudell2065]

Would've loved to seen her as Elle.

[@kallierivers2008]

Annaleigh is perfect.

[@tabrisdiggory2537]

i have a HUGE stage crush on Annaleigh!

[@bobbyernst1533]

kinky boots, legally blonde, wicked oh my god she’s so underrated

[@kidkrowtaylor.ৎ]

Don't forget Mean Girls

[@jessboo173]

I can see why she was cast as margot _and_ elle understudy

[@fishfingersndcustard]

Love this!

[@DeSanctist]

that 'yeah!' brings out her inner Margot.

[@theoperatripleaxel5417]

After lbb left the show they lowered the song key again... In this version she belts an F5 and the holds an D, in the mtv proshot and the marjorite of the broadway version she belted and E5 and them a holded C# and the last version she belted a Eb and holded a C.

[@abigailcato502]

Am I the only one actually likes Bailey? Her voice may not be the strongest but she has an amazing stage presence

[@kidkrowtaylor.ৎ]

i agree bailey is nice

[@thornlings]

Many of the other people who have played Elle have managed to sustain that last note, but I've never seen one of them look as if it were effortless and easy for them to do so. She's the first one I've seen do it without letting on that it's a struggle. That's impressive.

[@libertystehney1546]

She's great but not as good as Laura Bell Bundy. Laura created the character basically

[@mrjasonshipp]

Liberty Stehney Reese did it first. But I just love everything about this show.

[@facedown8069]

Jason Shipp yes but Laura’s version of Elle is a lot different than Reese Witherspoon

[@matthewrandell5055]

Why compare

[@JSRRADIO]

Any one else hear wicked in her voice

[@VERLIMBOS]

Thanks for uploading!

[@happyperson7663]

2:58 lol that was pretty smooth tho even tho she repeated it

[@mjgtv8123]

STOP COMPARING HER TO LAURA, THEY’RE BOTH GREAT ELLES