I think the best way I can say something complimentary of Kerry without disrespecting Idina (there has been more than enough of that on this thread already) is to beg and implore the theatre gods to bring the British version of Chess, or even the recent Kennedy Center production which I hear synthesizes the British and American versions better than anyone else has so far, back to the West End, onward to Broadway, and this time give Ms. Ellis her turn as Florence in a Tony- and Olivier-eligible run. Then, broadcast it to cinemas the way they did with Angels in America and She Loves Me, etc., and add it to the Broadway On Demand archives. That way, the voters and the audiences can decide, and we'll have a record of both Kerry and Idina's very different and equally fine performances as Ms. Vassey. If it's not clear from my comments so far, I also really, really love Kerry's performance of this song and also thought she was underutilized as Svetlana in the RAH concert ten years ago. I think she would make an ideal Florence, but I liked what Idina did as well and don't enjoy seeing her insulted. Alright, rant over.
the expression on her face at 2:53 ish is just.... wow. i love what she does just before "Never take a traitors advice" with her arm. and then just awesomeness! and wahat she does with her arm on the beat at 2:25 ish. she is an AMAZING SINGING MERMAID! that is an awsomw description. i am in awe right now. Just like.................
I really like her version. Her voice had a dark timbre, and it makes her sound so powerful in this song. I also like Judy Kuhn's version. The girls with the high squeaky voices just cant do it the same.
I think what we're hearing in all three cases (Sjoholm, Kuhn, and Ellis) is that they're not at all nasal. I've never not heard Menzel be less nasal than she usually is.
I remember thinking how AMAZING Idina's performance was. But going back to watch it now, it seems strange and affected. I'd never heard or seen Kerry Ellis's before, but she DEFINITELY does the Elaine Page original proud!
I saw Idina do this. I didn't like her version at all. I saw her twice in one week live in Rent, and loved that, but think she is way overrated in everything else. This woman is good, but no Elaine.
This is one of my favorite songs of all time, and quite possibly my favorite performance of it ever. Anyone know if this show was recorded professionally???
I usually abhor using the word 'fierce' to describe a performance, far too Tulsa on X Factor, but this was FIERCE WITH AN F. It's like Kerry knows *exactly* how good she is and is milking every second 3:11
apart from the last note -which i prefer as a loooow harsher sounding belt!-this is second only to elaine paige's version at the first ever performance in sweden in 84...
@KerryEllisRocks1 Absolutely... I have the concert on DVD and the moment she steps on the stage, Idina kind of fates into the background. Don't misunderstand me I think Idina is great however the part of Florence was not her role.
Not to say I didn't like the 2008 Concert - because I DID - but I honestly think it would have been even better if Idina Menzel and Kerry Ellis had switched roles, especially after seeing this video.
Can you imagine if the song, "The winner takes it all" was incorporated into the musical Chess?! Maybe as Florence and the Russian part ways in the end...
Coenraad Grebe I disagree. This is a concert version so she isn’t as focused on her acting as she is her singing. But in the 2008 concert her Someone Else’s Story was the best acting in the whole production. While it was also a concert this particular video is more about the singing and less about the story. Idina is an amazing actress but Kerry is PERFECT
Omg she could have been Florence in 2008! Way better than Idina in this role, at voice and with her movements, Idina just kept her hands in her pockets or twisting her fingers and stuff, like she didn't know what to do
She's embellishing -but she's stil int he pocket as she's harmonising better than Idina did. Mentally crossreferenced to Elaine Paige's performance - which is the acid test on this one... As Elaine played Florence vassy first.
She just proved that she can run Chess on her own! Someone Else's Story, Anthem & Nobody's Side: all three performed perfectly!
All we need is her to sing Pity the child
I think the best way I can say something complimentary of Kerry without disrespecting Idina (there has been more than enough of that on this thread already) is to beg and implore the theatre gods to bring the British version of Chess, or even the recent Kennedy Center production which I hear synthesizes the British and American versions better than anyone else has so far, back to the West End, onward to Broadway, and this time give Ms. Ellis her turn as Florence in a Tony- and Olivier-eligible run. Then, broadcast it to cinemas the way they did with Angels in America and She Loves Me, etc., and add it to the Broadway On Demand archives. That way, the voters and the audiences can decide, and we'll have a record of both Kerry and Idina's very different and equally fine performances as Ms. Vassey. If it's not clear from my comments so far, I also really, really love Kerry's performance of this song and also thought she was underutilized as Svetlana in the RAH concert ten years ago. I think she would make an ideal Florence, but I liked what Idina did as well and don't enjoy seeing her insulted. Alright, rant over.
I am truly speechless! Wow, just...WOW!!!!
the expression on her face at 2:53 ish is just.... wow.
i love what she does just before "Never take a traitors advice" with her arm. and then just awesomeness! and wahat she does with her arm on the beat at 2:25 ish.
she is an AMAZING SINGING MERMAID! that is an awsomw description. i am in awe right now. Just like.................
best version of this song!!!!! love it!!! xx
I was there in the audience when she sang this and it was just incredible!
I really like her version. Her voice had a dark timbre, and it makes her sound so powerful in this song. I also like Judy Kuhn's version. The girls with the high squeaky voices just cant do it the same.
Exactly! Florence needs to sound strong, not whiny! Helen Sjoholm's version is amazing too (although in Swedish :P)
I think what we're hearing in all three cases (Sjoholm, Kuhn, and Ellis) is that they're not at all nasal. I've never not heard Menzel be less nasal than she usually is.
I remember thinking how AMAZING Idina's performance was. But going back to watch it now, it seems strange and affected. I'd never heard or seen Kerry Ellis's before, but she DEFINITELY does the Elaine Page original proud!
I saw Idina do this. I didn't like her version at all. I saw her twice in one week live in Rent, and loved that, but think she is way overrated in everything else. This woman is good, but no Elaine.
shesss amazingggggggggggggggggggggggg!
This is one of my favorite songs of all time, and quite possibly my favorite performance of it ever. Anyone know if this show was recorded professionally???
thanks for uploading!
Chills.
I usually abhor using the word 'fierce' to describe a performance, far too Tulsa on X Factor, but this was FIERCE WITH AN F. It's like Kerry knows *exactly* how good she is and is milking every second 3:11
auntygeek And the sexy strut at 2:40...get it...
aka the moment she knows she is absolutely killing it. Class.
Can't stop watching this!
'Never take a stranger's advice' 2:18 PERFECT
She seriously needs to record this...
Awesome!!!!
she made it sound so easy to sing this song!
She's the best I've heard since Elaine Page. Just wow.
WOW!! Has she released this on any album?!
Sadly I don't think she's performed it since (although I may be wrong)... ! One of my fave ever's
apart from the last note -which i prefer as a loooow harsher sounding belt!-this is second only to elaine paige's version at the first ever performance in sweden in 84...
@KerryEllisRocks1
Too bloody right
I truly wished they would have switched Idina and Kerry for the anniversary concert, but sadly, Idina was the household name at the time.
Ellis outperforms Menzel, and Pascal completely outperforms Groban as an actor. So much so that I felt more for Freddy than I did for the Russian.
Kerry can out sing most people, and definitely out does Iscreecha Menzel
@KerryEllisRocks1 Not really. She was a great Svetlana and Idina was a great Florence.
can you please upload dont cry for me argentina? :)
@ChenoLoveable What, after the auto-tune?
@KerryEllisRocks1 While I enjoy this performance, I just think she is Svetlana to me. LOVE LOVE LOVE this, though.
@amyca11aghan Yep! ;)
I haven't even watched the whole song yet (loading...) and already - YES. Idina Menzel's voice was so thin!
Remember that time she just did almost all of Idina's riffs? haha oh wait I do...
Does anyone else find the conductor's dancing kinda hilarious? :P
She looks like Jane Krakowski. Love this girl's voice.
This performance proves miss Ellis should have played Florence at the Albert hall!! Here's hoping to the production next year!!
And she's right in the pocket Benny wrote for Elaine's voice initially.
@KerryEllisRocks1
Absolutely... I have the concert on DVD and the moment she steps on the stage, Idina kind of fates into the background. Don't misunderstand me I think Idina is great however the part of Florence was not her role.
Not to say I didn't like the 2008 Concert - because I DID - but I honestly think it would have been even better if Idina Menzel and Kerry Ellis had switched roles, especially after seeing this video.
Why is she not Sherrie in Rock of Ages??? Just sayin...
this is the most abba-ish of the chess songs i'd like to hear an abba version
Can you imagine if the song, "The winner takes it all" was incorporated into the musical Chess?! Maybe as Florence and the Russian part ways in the end...
Idina is still the better actress and sells this song the way it should be sung.
Coenraad Grebe I disagree. This is a concert version so she isn’t as focused on her acting as she is her singing. But in the 2008 concert her Someone Else’s Story was the best acting in the whole production. While it was also a concert this particular video is more about the singing and less about the story. Idina is an amazing actress but Kerry is PERFECT
Omg she could have been Florence in 2008!
Way better than Idina in this role, at voice and with her movements, Idina just kept her hands in her pockets or twisting her fingers and stuff, like she didn't know what to do
Great performance, only thing that would've made it better is if she'd hit the high G..
She's embellishing -but she's stil int he pocket as she's harmonising better than Idina did. Mentally crossreferenced to Elaine Paige's performance - which is the acid test on this one...
As Elaine played Florence vassy first.