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Patti will always own this song, for me personally...

... but this is really good!

Suprisingly enough, Patti's phrasing (which is what makes me love her version more than any other) is reminiscent in many parts of Florence's. Not OVER sung (maybe just a TAD, but thats ok) but not UNDER sung either. Just right. I'd LOVE to hear Florence do the "singer's version" Steve wrote for Babs with the extra verse (instead of the weird interpolation they used in place of a bridge- it sounds like a Harold Arlen bridge, maybe?).

And god, was she gorgeous! Still is... but damn... I see what Greg saw in her!

P

qolbinau

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re: Best 'Send in the Clowns' EVER!#2
Posted: 7/31/09 at 9:06pm

I vote for Dame JUDY DENCH.

"It’s the fractured quality in [Bernadette Peters'] singing voice and line readings that puts across the character as someone for whom resentment is sliding into madness." - NYtimes on Follies (2011).

Pgenre

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re: Best 'Send in the Clowns' EVER!#3
Posted: 7/31/09 at 9:10pm

JUDI Dench may be the definitive Desiree...

...and ACTS the role better than anyone else, no doubt...

...but the song belongs to Patti!

P

Gothampc

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re: Best 'Send in the Clowns' EVER!#4
Posted: 7/31/09 at 9:32pm

I think that Florence was always ingenue-like and Desiree needs to be played by an actress who can project maturity.

It would be like Bernadette Peters playing Mama Rose. She may be able to perform the role, but the gravitas is not really there.

It would be like asking Beyonce to play Effie. It's just not there.

If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.

Updated On: 7/31/09 at 09:32 PM

husk_charmer

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re: Best 'Send in the Clowns' EVER!#5
Posted: 7/31/09 at 9:45pm

^ I can see that, but isn't Desirée still playing the ingenue of sorts?

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humbugfoto

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re: Best 'Send in the Clowns' EVER!#6
Posted: 7/31/09 at 10:33pm

She's surprisingly good, and effective, but damn, were they under a time crunch, the way they raced through it? Has there ever been a faster Send In The Clowns??

Sarcasm is an allergic reaction to stupid people.

CurtainPullDowner

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re: Best 'Send in the Clowns' EVER!#7
Posted: 7/31/09 at 10:50pm

I feel Glynis Johns OWNS the song,
it was written for her for cripes sake.
And Judy Collins does the best cover.

legally_popular

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re: Best 'Send in the Clowns' EVER!#8
Posted: 7/31/09 at 10:56pm

Whoa, I was afraid to watch that at first, but I actually really liked it.

My favorite is Judi Dench's rendition. Stunning.

Gothampc

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re: Best 'Send in the Clowns' EVER!#9
Posted: 7/31/09 at 11:15pm

"I can see that, but isn't Desirée still playing the ingenue of sorts?"

She is having to come to terms with the fact that she can no longer be the ingenue, on stage or in real life. However, the actress playing her has to be believable that she is an accomplished actress having played all the great women's roles. I can't imagine Florence Henderson having played Lady Macbeth or Cleopatra to great acclaim.

If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.

BroadwayBound062

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re: Best 'Send in the Clowns' EVER!#10
Posted: 7/31/09 at 11:23pm

thanks 4 posting

Genius lasts longer than beauty.

Jordan Catalano

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re: Best 'Send in the Clowns' EVER!#11
Posted: 7/31/09 at 11:25pm

I actually love Streisand's version of the song. Maybe it's purely sentimental for me, but I think it's the best out there.

PastorErnst

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re: Best 'Send in the Clowns' EVER!#12
Posted: 7/31/09 at 11:27pm

While in London, I saw Hannah Waddingham in the Broadway-bound ALNM revival. While not the best rendition I've heard, I thought she did a stellar job.

Pgenre

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re: Best 'Send in the Clowns' EVER!#13
Posted: 7/31/09 at 11:57pm

I agree, Jordan. I always miss the extra verse in every other version.

I hope when Patti records it she uses the extra verse, I'm sure Steve would let her. Actually, I believe when I saw her perform it at the Westport benefit she did. It was delivered directly to Steve from the lip of the stage as only Patti could do it, Barbra Cook and Kristen and Laura looking on with tears and awe. And Steve the most emotional of all. You really could feel the love. One of my most treasured memories.

P

CurtisTaylorJr2

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re: Best 'Send in the Clowns' EVER!#14
Posted: 8/1/09 at 12:06am

I usually can't stand that song, but I actually like this version.

qolbinau

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re: Best 'Send in the Clowns' EVER!#15
Posted: 8/1/09 at 12:23am

"When Patti Records it" - is there something I missed?

darquegk

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re: Best 'Send in the Clowns' EVER!#16
Posted: 8/1/09 at 11:55am

Frank Sinatra did a pretty good version, though it's a cabaret act, and out of context.

Still, one would expect success from him- he may not have been the greatest actor of all time, but the reason for his fame was that he was the DEFINITIVE song-interpreter of the twentieth century.

PalJoey

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re: Best 'Send in the Clowns' EVER!#17
Posted: 8/1/09 at 12:27pm

Okay that was cute, but, in case anyone has NOT seen Glynis...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAl-EawVobY

CateBroadway

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re: Best 'Send in the Clowns' EVER!#18
Posted: 8/1/09 at 12:52pm

oh god. I got scared this would be from So You Think You Can Dance.

philcrosby

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re: Best 'Send in the Clowns' EVER!#19
Posted: 8/1/09 at 4:29pm

Let us be clear:

The songs BELONGS to Glynis Johns.

It has however, because it is a brilliant piece of theater, been performed beautifully by any number of performers.

Dame Judi's is one of the best. And Natasha Richardson's was lovely.

alterego

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re: Best 'Send in the Clowns' EVER!#20
Posted: 8/1/09 at 11:58pm

So glad you posted that paljoey. I was reading various posts and thinking these people have obviously never seen Glynis Johns do it.

B3TA07

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re: Best 'Send in the Clowns' EVER!#21
Posted: 8/2/09 at 12:10am

What the **** was that thing she sang in the middle?!?!

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