1996 Tony Opening Performance

[mmdillon1]

Wow -- Ms Minnelli renders Ms Peters virtually invisible!...

[mmdillon1]

It's spelled "Minnelli..."

[musicalmeg19]

AHHH!!! I came upon this video for Bernadette but... THE MAJESTIC!! Oh how great to see it again! What a great opening! Does anyone know who the Phantom is here?

[amazinggarrett1]

You can't miss Carol Channing. I saw Gregory Hines as well.

[RobertEllis2010]

Ah!! It was Bea Arthur in the group :) <3 her!

[rayway82]

is that Bea Arthur at 2:28 ?

[sassyjurphy]

@rayway82 Looks like Carol Channing to me.

[fieldsfan1]

@sassyjurphy that's definitely Bea. But Carol's in there too

[stocklera3]

What is the name of the song Bernadette and Liza are singing??

[bluebirde67]

@stocklera3 To me it sounds like 'Some People' from Gypsy but they changed the words

[henryjg720]

@stocklera3 It's a song called "The Show Must Go On" by Carly Simon from the movie This Is My Life.

[Spencercornelius09]

Pretty sure that after this Bernadette sucked Liza's youth out backstage...

[broadwaymaniac92]

i love how only some of the people in the back are singing... no one probs rehearsed with them haha

[thykothak]

How come Nathan's always hosted the Tony's the same time he won one? This time and in 2001 for The Producers.

[LimpLeg190]

@thykothak Because he hosted in 2001 with matthew because it was such a big hit, ('The Producers' that is.) and it would only be appropriate for he and matthew to be nominated for there outstanding performances) and then to win that year. For Forum, he was the big man in town, so they thought it be appropriate he host, he was soooo excellent on stage that he won the tony. other situations just not such good luck...

[thykothak]

@LimpLeg190 True, true :)

[Warning1192]

Bernadette and Liza... Gay's orgasm.

[peterdaniel66]

@Warning1192 I'm quite straight and they rock my boat too!

[bluedevilsrok]

omgomg Liza and Bernadette <3

[puppetmaster124]

lol Carol Channing at 2:45!

[MzCharmedFan0214]

I LOVE THEM!

[BOomeek]

Ah! Thanks so much for uploading this! :D

[pergaperga]

THIS IS LOVE! :D So freakin' awesome!

[enolamsamoht]

Is the lady that nathan huged Auda Mc Donald?

[jackskellingtonsora]

Oh Bernadette and Liza, can you say star power? lol, they probably hated each other.

[boynamedalexxx]

@jackskellingtonsora Doubt it...Bernadette doesn't hate anyone, and I don't see Liza disliking someone like Bernadette, lol.

[RosesNightengales]

I'm surprised they didn't use, a original actor for the Over Voice. of The Phantom.

[kneecoal777]

Can you imagine Bernadette Peters & Liza in a play together!?

I've never seen this, so thanks for sharing! She also was part of the opening at the 2009 Tony's...where she took home her 4th Tony for her amazing show "Liza's at The Palace".

[Thewaiter525600]

@kneecoal777 I'm pretty sure Bernadette and Liza aren't allowed to be in a show together. All of the talent would cause the building to explode.

[joelib]

You have to look so quickly, but as Lane gets on stage with the woman he climbs up there with (at 4:02-4:05), watch Liza pry her away from his arm to get on there with him. The woman stays a bit longer, but it's LM who is next to him at the end. Pro?  Crazy?

[squeaky00]

@joelib that was all part of the act! you see her hip check that chick too....sigh some one is crazy but it isnt miss liza

[gethappyConor]

I think it was planned......watch at 4:08 Bernadette is also tapping at the shoulder of the woman on his other side.

[jackskellingtonsora]

Bernadette and Liza, omg wow. That's an amazing combination.

[fluffypuppy42]

why was it at the majestic theater that year?

[tubetoad]

Yes! to ALLLL. Yes.

[DAGODDESSofOPTIMISM]

Bernie and Liza together.... that's so wonderful, it's almost too much for me! i'm overdosing on talented women.

[carriewhite410]

Bernadette is just too adorable when she's saying hello to the random chorus members. :)

[MisstressFurter]

Love me Bernadette!

[theangelq]

from which show/musical is the song "the show must go on"?

[PeterBluth]

It isn't it's a Carly Simon song done up for the Tonys.

[theangelq]

oh, thanks

[PeterBluth]

You're welcome.

[aminmontrose]

Ohhhhh Lizaaa! YOU ARE BROADWAYY!!!!!!!!

[Markbiceps]

Liza you are simply the best, pure class X

[jackskellingtonsora]

"Nathan Lane. That means you too!"

XD

[Neverforgoty]

Great, really magic!!!

[bigasista]

YES NATHAN LANE!! ...love him :)

[fashionglindaguru]

does anyone know what this song is from, or what the melody is from?

[everyday814]

watch the video and it tells you its from a funny thing happened on the way to the foarm

[jugjob]

That was AWESOME!!!!

[jldmurray13]

where is this it doe'ent look like radio city?

[fashionglindaguru]

the Majestic theatre, that's why there is all the Phantom stuff

[jldmurray13]

when did they start doing it at raido city music hall?

[everyday814]

the next year and then it went to the shubert in 99 while Radio City wnet under renorvations

[Jal8919536]

The part where they present the Tony Winners over the half-past Century was also done on the 2002 Oscars with all the still-living past Oscar Winners including Jennifer Jones, Kathy Bates, Olivia De Haviland, Claude Jarmon, Jr., Cliff Roberts, Hayley Mills titled 'album'-something. :)

[elphielover247]

I LOVE Bernadette especially in Into the Woods.

[Mattleycrue66]

I saw this show at the Saturday Matinee the night after it opened. Nathan Lane was incredible!

[PeterBluth]

It could very well be.

[nerfmageplz]

Speaking of Forum, does ANYONE know where i can find a copy of the broadway version with nathan lane in it! Send me a message if you have any info :D!

[mjfindlay1968]

I just don't like Liza. I have never been able to enjoy her. She has amazing talent. Just not for me.

[Museleaders]

I personally prefer Bernadette over Liza, but she is great too, but I am a die hard Bernadette Peter fan, I also saw Carol Channing in the chrous when they were preforming as well as Jennifer Holliday

[EmpressEnterprises]

Now, THAT'S, an Opening! Beats anything the Academy Awards have done HANDS DOWN! Great post! Thanks!

[MovieDudeProductions]

where were the tony awards

[oprahnoodlemantra]

At 2:23, does Bernadette say "Jews!"? So random but it sounds a lot like it.

[phoenixnyc]

No, she's greeting HUME Cronyn.....took me a couple of viewings to figure it out, though.

[ARReith]

gone are the great opening numbers...  they ended in 2000.

[BellatrixNellieLovet]

I agree. Whatever happened to ones like this!?

[ActorSinger51]

2001 and 2007 were also amazing

[Selendomono]

i like it.

[hogwarts90]

i like this i think they should do the tony awards from the theatres every year.

[kayndhil]

this was fantastic.. please please more if you have any!!!

[disneydancer8392]

that was great do u have anymore???