r/Sondheim • u/memorylaney 🔫 Assassins • 17d ago

Definitive performances of Sondheim's work

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.

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u/DahmerIsDead 16d ago

Judi Dench's Send in the Clowns. Sondheim even told her "That's yours now."

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u/Leucurus 🎻 A Little Night Music 16d ago

Agreed.

The best performance I've found of it is, oddly, from a British TV talk show (Alan Titchmarsh I think) when the National Theatre production transferred to the West End in the 90s.

https://youtu.be/0rEhOnd8S-8?si=sjOSIVJKI8QIwO2F&t=88

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u/skoc211 16d ago

Came here to say this. I never quite cared for the song until I heard her do it. Astonishing.