(Not) Getting Married Today - Company OBC, 1970

[jafufu69]

This is awesome. I like seeing this side of music. You know, how it's created. Brilliant!

[AlbieGray]

You can just picture Vera Gorman singing something like that, although, unlike neurotic Amy, she did get married. :)

[619505drummer]

lets see George Watsky do that

[sporran564]

This was the real showstopper, not "Ladies Who Lunch." God bless Beth Howland -- just look at her concentration while having everyone come at her between takes with their comments. And she went on to "Alice."

[TheNewSailorMercury]

I don''t see how anybody can do this song while keeping a straight face! XD Or even be in the same room as somebody doing this without bursting out laughing! Beth Howland is the original singer and she sets the bar so high it's hard for anyone to compete. I've seen a few different people do this and I have to say the only one who does her justice would be Madaline Kahn. That's my opionion only though. And I admit to it being a bit bias because I love Madaline so increadibly. ^_^

[pakis]

have you guys heard Heather Laws do this for the 2009 production of Company? :) Just as fast, and just as neurotic.

[jomoses07]

she's awesome!!!

[dmajor050]

@sillybill4

It could be that he wanted to make sure that this was exceptional. When you're doing it live one expects a margin of error. Being that this is the definitive version I can see why he pushed fir perfection.

[BlackCanvasSoul]

God bless her fitting in that many words with barely breaths.My theater class watched this and I couldn't say anything afterwards.Absolutely amazing.

[honeyjbc1]

superhuman!

[allanfisch]

She's freaking amazing.....

[Heterormorphic]

Sondheim is still sexy. XD

[etraig]

dang! she's fast.

she didn't even look out of breath, amazing!

[MasterIsh91]

Fantastic diction!

[fobesq]

She deserved a tony just for that rehearsal. She was adorable and incredibly talented as well as the orhestra other vocalists. The sheer raw brilliance of Sondheim. Thank you.

[angeleyez101]

She is outstanding.

[timjmoran]

wow !! Imagine trying to sing this live in the studio in front of all those people!!

Whew! This had to be one of the toughest tunes ever in any musical.... almost like

Athletics meets music.

[ViveClaire]

@timjmoran this is why Sondheim is a maniacal genius, all of his numbers, as well as all the comedy in them, are so taxing, its amazing when it works, but boy is it physically and emotionally difficult to exicute, Beth Howland's clarity is amazing, this musical is hilariously funny because of the talent that launched Sondheim's and Furth's fantastic creation.



[sacredlunatic]

Heather Laws seems to be doing it at the same tempo to my ear.

[livelifealwaysx3]

she may have sung this at the correct tempo, but those who sing it a little slower give the audience time to react to the jokes... if it's too fast, it flies right by you

[lenlee14]

@livelifealwaysx3 actually i got ALL of the jokes, and it requires the audience to hold laughter in and listen to EVERY word she says and laugh at the end of the song. An actor does in fact play to an audience, but an actor plays (or should play) what THEY feel, not what the audience is asking for. If we as actors did what we did on stage just because an audience asked for it, we might as well just perform in a circus, ya know? Just my thoughts anyways. Haha.

[Straw2daberry]

She's got crazy eyes! Perfect for Amy

[Pbsmike]

wow try to do that night after night!

[mplsjockboy]

"I don't wanna upset ya', but i'd love to have the tune..."

[mplsjockboy]

"I don't wanna upset ya', but i'd love to have the tune..."

[rayzer1]

I need a 70's man, Get over it.

[TheRavendearest]

my friend got to know Sondheim in NY and said he's quite sexy and very kinky, love it!

[RainbowTammy]

Oh my God, Steve Elmore sounds AMAZING

[gabsylv]

example of an inspired match between song and performer, ditto with Stritch

[sondheimisGAWD]

@ stickyfinger its not just you.

[bettyboy72]

I wonder if an actress ever totally tanked while singing this song in a production-like just dropped the words or stopped like Howland did during the recording? I'd pay to see that.

[1Renbar]

Beth Howland OWNS this song! .. Still the best 40 years later.

[KatrynMerteuil]

The only two versions I like this one and the revival. The follies one with Madeleine Kahn annoys me.

[manidonno10]

4:43 - Steve Elmore sounds AMAZING!

[ggfanjase]

@manidonno10 He looks pretty amazing too, not gonna lie.

[DavidinIrving]

You gotta love Youtube! Where else could you search "Company" and get this?

[VRNProductions]

You know, Teri Ralston is really an amazing singer. It's a shame she wasn't in many more musicals...

[hillevifan]

Her voice is so cute! People complain about her voice, but voice isn't needed for this song. Just to get all the words out is enough!

[brittmstar]

The only part where it sounds really bad is when she holds out today...It's painful.

[ElmoCanto]

I think painful, or "pained" rather, is precisely how this song is supposed to sound  :) She's meant to be having a complete panic attack... Do you not agree?

[KatrynMerteuil]

@ElmoCanto I think its something like that. Except that if you put too much of the "pain" part you get Carol Burnett's version, which I think is funny but not so much into the song.

I think you're supposed to be sort of having a panic attack but at the same time the song is like your inner voice speed talking...

[wmlfan9]

Beth Howland was married to Michael J. Pollard in the sixties.

[WesleyCappiello]

that was super fast.... and she got EVERY word right!

[Wicactor1028]

that was really fast

[meeee46]

i like sondheim's clothes at 0:47

[fashionglindaguru]

Stephen Sondheim said that Beth Howland is the only woman who sang this song in a major production (Broadway/Tour/London) who sings it at the tempo he originally wrote it in.

[astoria25]

I have to congratulate Beth Howland. Sondheim's songs are 90% all about his lyrics, and you have to hear the words being enunciated. This is a hard song to sing, and I heard Ms. Howland completely sing her lines. I love this song -- and Sondheim.

[RaineaTrenton]

@fashionglindaguru Good Lord that most take skill

[stickyfixer]

Is it just me, or was Sondheim kinda sexy?

[ImperfectlyPerfect2]

IMMENSELY.

[Just had to make sure I said that.]

[malletgirl02]

It's not just you, I The first time I saw Sondheim when he was younger was in that video when he wins two Tonys for Company, I thought he was sexy.

[soclosetolife]

He definitely used to be.

[airinkincaid]

@stickyfixer Sondheim was all kinds of sexy.

[FBoobieTubie]

@stickyfixer Oh yeah, I think he's sexy and mysterious, heeeeeeee

[gabsylv]

@stickyfixer  intellectually sexy, yes.

[clojomo]

@stickyfixer I agree. He was sexy. I just saw him in conversation in Toronto last month, and for an 80 year old, he holds himself well. He was definitely an attractive man earlier in life. And his brilliance endures.

[tommytimp]

@stickyfixer His talent alone would have made him hot. He was, in a 'shaggy Jew' sort of way. But he probably smelled like an ashtray back then.

[caseyryanmather]

@stickyfixer yeah...for sure.

[aqua1993]

@stickyfixer Was? 

[pumpkinheadedmf]

My goodness, look how young Stephen Sondheim was.

[BDaviWA]

incredible!! love it and her.

[sarahtarjafan]

Uffffff!!!

Great!!

[mysonbox]

the blond women singing the opera part, is Terri Ralston. she is my teacher, SHE IS AMAZING EVEN NOW

[cmw1226]

Where does she teach?

[ssondheim]

haha... i just love hal's glasses!

[bigmiamiguy]

Beth Howland is such a true pro... this is not an easy song and there is so much going on in the background.. wow i love watching pros work..

[shortyxO29]

Beth Howland is my mom's cousin.

[brittmstar]

That would make her your cousin too...

[dangerousmezzo]

Wow. She manages a really fast tempo and I can understand every word she sings!

[maszlagma]

Yeah it must be hard....