In honor of Ms. Kuhn returning to the New York stage, here's a thread to celebrate her tremendous talent. Please share your favorite clips, photos, and memories of seeing her perform.
"The gods who nurse this universe think little of mortals' cares. They sit in crowds on exclusive clouds and laugh at our love affairs. I might have had a real romance if they'd given me a chance. I loved him, but he didn't love me. I wanted him, but he didn't want me. Then the gods had a spree and indulged in another whim. Now he loves me, but I don't love him." - Cole Porter
I remember when "Pocahontas" first came out, there was a screening in Central Park. And on GMA that morning, Judy was appearing live to sing "Colors of the Wind."
While she sang (brilliantly--and it was 8:00 in the morning!)they showed clips from the film, then ended with a nice closeup of Judy. And then the camera pulled back to a long shot of the park.
And just as they were going to commercial, you could hear Judy, unaware that her mike was still on, saying "Oh . . . my . . . GOD!"
I love that CD, henrik; my favorite track is "Who Are You Now?"
I was lucky enough to see her in "Les Miz," "Rags," and "She Loves Me." I was surprised at how deft she was with the comedy. It was a lovely performance.
Reginald, I heard she was a superb Amalia and I've also heard she's very nice. I saw her in Les Miz and Chess. And thinking of her returning to NY, I'm reminded that I saw Judy in Encores' delightful Strike Up the Band (very funny David Ives adaptation), with Bosco, Cheno, Danieley and Lynn Redgrave, all sensational. Judy's "The Man I Love" and "Soon" were, as one would expect, exquisite. Unfortunately, I don't believe it was ever recorded.
re: the Styne c.d. - I love her "Who Are You Now?" and I'm crazy about her "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry."
As I write I'm listening to Serious Playground, her Laura Nyro c.d.. Never heard it before. It's gorgeous.
Judy is as good as it gets - a superb interpreter of song and a terrific actress. Funnily, when I agreed to make the She Loves Me album it was because of her. Then I was told she wouldn't be staying (she would go to LA to do Sunset Blvd.) and I still tried to do it with her, but everyone felt we should have the cast that was doing the show on Broadway, and that's what happened.
I'd already worked with her several times by then, and I felt bad that she hadn't gotten to do the She Loves Me CD, so while she was out here doing Sunset, we made the Jule Styne album.
So glad I caught her twice as Betty Schaffer in the Los Angeles production of Sunset Boulevard. I was already very familiar with her work and was /still am a huge fan of her Cosette in Les Miserables, and that was just from the cast recording since I've never seen her do the role live onstage. She has one of those voices that make you want to sing along!
Did anyone see her when she took over as Fantine in the so-so Les Mis 'revival'/ extended 3rd national tour engagement?
Recreation of original John Cameron orchestration to "On My Own" by yours truly. Click player below to hear.
I saw her play Fosca at the Kennedy Center a few years ago. I thought she was brilliant. She added just a touch of humor to the character.....very different than Donna Murphy.
"TO LOVE ANOTHER PERSON IS TO SEE THE FACE OF GOD"- LES MISERABLES---
"THERE'S A SPECIAL KIND OF PEOPLE KNOWN AS SHOW PEOPLE... WE'RE BORN EVERY NIGHT AT HALF HOUR CALL!"--- CURTAINS
I really love that performance of Nobody's Side from the Chess concert. It's better than the version on the recording, imo.
"The gods who nurse this universe think little of mortals' cares. They sit in crowds on exclusive clouds and laugh at our love affairs. I might have had a real romance if they'd given me a chance. I loved him, but he didn't love me. I wanted him, but he didn't want me. Then the gods had a spree and indulged in another whim. Now he loves me, but I don't love him." - Cole Porter
"The gods who nurse this universe think little of mortals' cares. They sit in crowds on exclusive clouds and laugh at our love affairs. I might have had a real romance if they'd given me a chance. I loved him, but he didn't love me. I wanted him, but he didn't want me. Then the gods had a spree and indulged in another whim. Now he loves me, but I don't love him." - Cole Porter