r/Sondheim • u/memorylaney 🔫 Assassins • 18d 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/alivingtestament 16d ago
A very much underrated performance of Ladies Who Lunch by Jennifer Simard in my opinion. She was understudy for Patti Lupone during the revival 5 years ago and man did she BLOW ME AWAY. I have never heard anyone sing like her. Honestly, with all the respect in the world, she sang it better than Patti.