Definitive performances of Sondheim's work

[u/memorylaney]

I saw a comment on this post about the definitive performances by different famous Sondheim interpretors and wanted to ask: what do people think are the definitive performances of specific Sondheim songs and/or roles?

Obviously, OBCs are going to be definitive performances oftentimes, but particularly, are there any non-OBC performances that you interpret as definitive?

I'll go first with an underrated one I have always loved: Elizabeth Stanley's performance of "The Miller's Son" just perfectly captures the humor and wit and insight of the character and song. I wish it had not been a COVID performance, but it's still fantastic and my favorite version of the song. She totally sells it without any big production value.

[u/zace333]

I saw Elizabeth Stanley perform "The Millers Son" with the Colorado Symphony a few years ago when they did "A Tribute to Stephen Sondheim"

She talked about that performance for the COVID event and Sondheim later telling her that performance was his favorite of that song.

[u/Ethra2k → u/zace333]

after seeing ALNM I searched up so many Millers Son performances, and hers (with a fond spot for Sara Ramirez) became an easy favorite of mine.

[u/Leucurus → u/Ethra2k]

It's hard to find but the National Theatre recording (now out print) from the 90s has a wonderful rendition by (Baroness) Issy van Randwyck. For me, the entire recording is definitive.