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Oh Jesus, Phylicia Rashad’s performance! 👏🏽 That’s a cry of a broken heart 💔 when your own flesh and blood breaks your heart and betrays you ❤

They are all awesome phylicia is obvious in the time it was done. Older movies were like filmes theater plays where as movies now are more real life drama depiction. Things you would see in real life. And phylicia is a real life gut hurt.

Lynn Thigpen singing " NO MORE"

I was supposed to go to this show when they recorded it for the broadcast. But my family is there and my cousin is playing the bass in the band

Love all of them, BUT, Baybay! Claudia McNeil does it for me everytime! You can physically see and hear her go from sadness to stifled raged as she is picturing her last husband and what it took to get that money. The rage she displays is captivating because she does not fully move but only uses specific and intentional movements but the way she delivers the lines the tone of her voice is what sells it. Then when she cries out to God for strength not to kill her son accompanied by Walter’s cries for Willie it gives me absolutely chills! Yes Esther and Phylicia are phenomenal in the roles and they were realistic but to me Claudia gave us “less is more” approach that gave everything! And you see she felt it from the very core of her being

I LIKE ESTHER ROLLE BUT THE ORIGINAL DID MUCH BETTER

Esther Rolles owns this scene. You can see her pain, feel it and know what struggles she has been through that her kids can’t even imagine!

Oh my gosh! All three were soooo great! I will not choose!

I would love to see Viola Davis in this role!

Esther Rolles has this hands down. She put all the anguish and pain black men and women faced in the only work allowed them during that time in her performance. I could see her husband clearest through Esther's performance. He was almost a tangible presence in this scene.

All of them were great, but I think Phylicia's was the most realistic for this part.

All three are excellent.

All 3 are phenominal actresses but Claudia and Esther....baaaaby!

Miss Rashad's multi-layered, nuanced performance is a master class in acting.

Esther Rolle was PERFECT!!!!

Phylicia played the hell outta that part. Esther Rolle was the only one bout it to hit his ass lol

Phylicia and Esther

Claudia and Sidney were superb. Esther and Danny were terrible. Phylicia was great, but Puffy was awful.

Sidney and Danny played as Walter very well. Sidney is the original and best Walter of course. Danny Glover played him well. But, Puffy was awful and not in it. 3. Esther 2. Phylicia 1. Claudia

1:33, 2:25, 10:17, 17:44 Wasn't he in the original, Broadway cast of Dreamgirls?

Ester Did Good

Its a toss up between Phylicia and Claudia...no disrespect to the late great Esther Rolle but her performance looked too unnatural.

Of all the performances Claudia’s is the performance where when you see her you literally go oh shit😂. Because she has the slow build up of rage and heartbreak as she walks towards him.

Ms. Claudia McNeil and Sidney Portier. The best out of all the performances. Probably because they originated in the stage version. Phylicia delivered the lines like lines. I did not feel the tension a child feels when they messed up with a parent. Claudia and Sidney show this when she is about to strike her son and calls out for strength, Sidney is reduced to a child not accepting responsibility and blaming Willie. It was perfection. As much as I love Esther Rolle, this was not a good performance. She and Danny were too old for the roles, and Danny's slobbering all over the place gace me the icks.

Hello All: I finally uploaded the last part! Check out the channel for part 4!

Hello All: I finally uploaded the last part! Check out the channel for part 4!

In my opinion, Rashad really nailed that one. The other two actesses were absolutely great as well but a little theatrical by today's standards. Twenty years from now, another actress will propose yet another interpretation.

Phylicia Rashad was powerful too , I felt that😥

From 3:49 to 3:51...that should be made into a .GIF and looped! That was more emotional than "damn, Damn, DAMN!!!"

Phylicia. I felt her lament.

Esther Esther Esther ....she did THAT!!! Love Claudia, but Esther took me all the way in!!!

0:01 the moment you're busted as soon as you see your mom in the room

Hands down Claudia and Esther , both powerful . Puffy was terrible.

B.E.T should showcase content like this 24/7 to inspire,motivate,and educate.

3 great women,3 great performances,3 men 2 great performances,Puffy didn't show enough emotions of sorrow and disgust with himself,there are several male black actors who could've gave a performance that came from a deeper place of insecurity and vulnerability,I noticed they didn't mention God in the last performance.I personally believe that black actors and actresses have way more oscar and emmy potential wins but we're either not given the roles or not enough script writers and financial backers support US uplifting and inspiring US, B.E.T has failed to deliver cultural awakening and has settled for mediocrity and stereotypes,It should have focused on telling our own history and creating an avenue for Black inspiration rather than exploitation.

A true reflection of the many testimonies of "US",to be treasured,valued,honored,and respected

Carl Winslow

This makes me crazy happy- my heartfelt thanks to whomever uploaded this. I worked offstage on the hopeful Broadway production of this show in the early 80's. My experience with Vinnette and the cast and crew helped shape me and I've carried that grace with me for over 30 years.

Hey, it's Rembrandt Brown from 'Sliders' when he was young! Cool.

The woman playing Ms. Lucy(I believe), amazing voice, true talent, especially for a live performance. Where's she been hiding? Lol. Too bad she's not more widely know. Wish I'd heard of her before.

I'm sorry that it's been a year, but part 3 is up.

Oh how I love this broadway love it love it love it, I lost my dvd of it thank goodness for Wifi and youtube I can experience it over and over again thanks for posting it.

More, please...

Thank you!!!! I remember this on PBS as a precocious child! (I remember a lot of things a lot of people seem to have forgotten). ~K

The rest is coming.

You're missing the best song, it cuts off before the end.

I'm glad I found this!