Who Sang The "At the Ballet" Crescendo The Best?

[BroadwayConcierge]

I loooove Mister Golightly's videos! (I think the answer is clearly Mara Davi, no?)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGvYRohN9cM

Edit: The clip of Mara Davi in the above video is from when she played Maggie at the Hollywood Bowl in 2016. Below is her original audition for Maggie for the Broadway revival back in 2006. One of my favorite theatre-related Youtube videos ever!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U-U3ftPbNQ

[Bwayfan292]

This is so funny. I have been on a chorus line binge lately, and was going to start a thread on the best music and the mirror, (which my vote would be Robyn Hurder)

But my vote would be Mara Davi for sure. Especially, when she performed it during the Hollywood bowl production. Although, the 2006 revival had better voices singing with Mara.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Bwayfan292 said: "This is so funny. I have been on a chorus line binge lately, and was going to start a thread on the best music and the mirror, (which my vote would be Robyn Hurder)"

Ha, we've been having the same binge over the past few days! I also went overboard on "Music and the Mirror" earlier this week and I have to agree that Robyn Hurder is the very best Cassie.

[Bwayfan292]

Robyn was the only one for me who really danced the part, the others were just going through the motions. But Robyn gave it this extra umph that really elevated her performance.

[bk]

Sorry, no one will EVER do that money note better than Kay Cole, the original Maggie.  Mara Davi was okay - nowhere near Kay.  That section was written for Kay's voice.  As was the "Mother, oh mother" section.  I understand none of you were around for Kay, but A Chorus Line did exist before 2006.  I've seen the show heaven knows how many times, starting with a preview just before it opened at the Shubert on Broadway, then many times with the mostly B'way cast in LA at LA's Shubert, then many tours, revisits to B'way, and on and on and on.  No one, good as they may have been, has every touched the original company.  And there's a reason for that.

[fashionguru_23]

bk said: "Sorry, no one will EVER do that money note better than Kay Cole, the original Maggie. Mara Davi was okay - nowhere near Kay. That section was written for Kay's voice. As was the "Mother, oh mother" section. I understand none of you were around for Kay, but A Chorus Line did exist before 2006. I've seen the show heaven knows how many times, starting with a preview just before it opened at the Shubert on Broadway, then many times with the mostly B'way cast in LA at LA's Shubert, then many tours, revisits to B'way, and on and on and on. No one, good as they may have been, has every touched the original company. And there's a reason for that."

BK, I was not alive for the original cast of A Chorus Line. I did see the 2006 revival, film, and tour of the revival. The only time, I tear up, and get goosebumps is this video from The Phil Donahue Show in the 1980's. Kay Cole is perfection! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cPBWzsQ5zo

[AADA81]

I saw the original in the summer of 1980 with none of the original actors.  The two things I recall is that while the dancing was terrific, the singing was uniformly dreadful.  One exception: Whoever played Maggie (don't recall her name).  Her voice was so strong and musical it was like she came from another show.

[ACL2006]

From the ones I've seen(and remember).

 

1. Kay Cole

2. Mara Davi

3. Teri Klausner (my first ACL!)

4. Melissa Lone

5. Stephanie Martignetti (Maggie u/s, first National tour '09)

6. Kim McClay (Tour 2018)

7. Michelle Aravena (Maggie u/s, '06 revival)

8. Charlene Carr (Tour 1996)

9. Abby Church (Engeman 2015)

10. Karley Willocks (Tour 2010, Papermill 2012)

11. Sara Esty (City Center 2018)

12. Jackie Raye (Gateway 2018)

 There have been others, but I don't have the Playbill from when I saw it to remember the names. 

 

[Tennis Fan]

I agree with the poster above -- the Donahue appearance is my personal best. 

[gypsy101]

omg that video of those ladies attempting the note is downright painful

[KathyNYC2]

# 1 Kay Cole

# 2 Everyone else.

[Fosse76]

Melissa Lone wasn't good. The stars and planets had to be properly aligned in order for her to hit that note. My friend ushered the Schoenfeld when she was in it, and he said the staff would cringe in preparation for that note. It was a painful experience.