At her final performance, she handed out long-stemmed roses to the cast during the song. Will never forget it.

@chrisjacobs7417

4 жыл бұрын

I remember being there for that. It was quite moving. And her acknowledging Elaine

@willieerik3845

2 жыл бұрын

instaBlaster

@CapSkip145

Жыл бұрын

I’d LOVE to see that.

@CapSkip145

Жыл бұрын

I’d LOVE to see that.

@videodude23

7 ай бұрын

What year was this

I was fortunate enough to be at Betty Buckley's last performance as Norma Desmond. She was spectacular. I remember when she sang As If We Never Said Goodbye, to thank the cast, a person came on stage with a basket of roses, and Betty, while singing and in character, approached each cast member, took a rose from the basket and and gave it to the person. Everyone was crying.

@stephaniegleason7440

4 жыл бұрын

Awesome story. Thanks!

@czahnie

Жыл бұрын

Oh man that made me tear up. Bless.

My parents and I had bought tickets to thr Broadway show hoping to see Glenn Close and were disappointed when we got there to find out Betty Buckley had taken over....until we heard her sing. Decades later I still remember the chills I got when the audience burst into a standing ovation in the middle of this song and again at the end. Amazing!!

@loup4343

2 ай бұрын

Betty Buckley was fantastic in everything she has ever been in.

@jagronley

Ай бұрын

Disappointed that Buckley had taken over? I’d assert that most people would have been overjoyed. Glenn Close is a good singer, but she does not compare to Betty Buckley.

I love when they applaud mid song in this video. It feels like they're not only cheering Betty on, but they share Norma's ecstacy in being finally home.

That note hold on “last”…holy moly!!! She is incredible!!

"HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMME" *theater explodes*

@mckenzieprice2270

4 жыл бұрын

FUCKING. ICONIC

@hello_gorgeous_

3 жыл бұрын

@@mckenzieprice2270 And her vibrato 👌💜

This is the best voice in Broadway ever.

I gave her a standing ovation at home 😊

I love her vibrato on her closed vowels. It's so different from what other Normas have done, and she does the role justice and then some!

@xdajlo82

4 жыл бұрын

The resonance on the closed "m". With the price of admission

@CraigFrancisSoto

3 ай бұрын

@@xdajlo82 Absolutely. I don't know how she does it so well. I saw her on Broadway in "Edwin Drood". That voice can shake the rafters and has such wonderful resonance. The best voice I ever heard on stage.

That voice, those cheek bones !!!!!! I love Betty Buckley !!!!!

when betty sings " ive come home at last! " its totally triumphant! " effortless sincere and the first norma you actually believe!!!

@vhudspath1

4 жыл бұрын

thank you .... BELIEVE .... yes.... so so so so so CONVINCING....

@Caio0_057

4 жыл бұрын

Patti Lupone also sings that part amazingly, and emotes soo well!

@amandajames5068

3 жыл бұрын

Betty Buckley is far and away the best in this role.

@puck1724

3 жыл бұрын

It's the same glorious energy when she the Memory climax for "touch me it's so easy to leave me"...

@bkynbiker19

2 жыл бұрын

I saw her 'opening night' performance, and when she sang that line, she got a sustained standing ovation, mid-song! Now that's something I'd never seen before, or since.

Hands down the greatest performance of this song I have heard.

@michaeldemarco7694

4 жыл бұрын

JeffThomsonMusic totally agree. However for me Patti LuPones Broadway Concert version is amazing as well. I was fortunate enough to see her twice.

@thefonzkiss

4 жыл бұрын

Michael DeMarco zzzz

@victordunson719

Жыл бұрын

Definitely

@alecs5112

9 ай бұрын

One of the greatest performances ever

@erinzimmerman3058

5 ай бұрын

Absolutely. I saw all of them in the '90s - Paige, LuPone, Close... Betty was absolutely the best. Her acting and her control over every single note is extraordinary. And she's the nicest lady; she was always up for taking pictures and signing Playbills outside the Minskoff after the show.

This is a master class. The control she has of that audience. Absolutely fantastic!

@douglasduff4466

4 жыл бұрын

Not a patch on Patti LuPone.

@MattTexas

4 жыл бұрын

I saw this control of the audience with both Buckley and Close. It was the damndest thing I’ve ever seen on the stage. This was such a huge role, and only a very few could do it justice and pull it off.

@mikegarcia7986

2 жыл бұрын

I was fortunate enough to see Betty in the New York Production…I was spellbound!!! I only wish I was into musical theater when she was in CATS.

@beaellie9766

Жыл бұрын

@@mikegarcia7986 She had perhaps the smallest amount of stage time in that show but it was breathtaking.

I’ve always felt Ms. Buckley brought humanity to this role, a wounded girl surfing the reality of irrelevance, and insecurity, rather than a deep dive into madness as in previous renditions.

When she wiped the tears from her eyes after, "I just need a moment" i started bawling! No lie!

powerhouse! Betty Buckley... I remember taking my son. to see this show. with her in it on nyc Broadway. he was about 13.or 14 yrs old.. he said to me mom.I will love her for all my life.... amazing she is love her!!!!

I love how at the end she stays in character even as everyone is clapping as if it’s still part of her dreaming and nostalgia.

@erinzimmerman3058

5 ай бұрын

YEEESSS! That was amazing. Never broke character.

Utterly astonishing. She conveys the tragedy and heartbreak of Norma Desmond better than just about anybody. Amazing.

@mrphantomb

8 жыл бұрын

+Mandeley100 There's no vulnerability or fear in this performance though. 'I don't know why I'm frightened...' I don't know either because you look pretty settled and comfortable; more unfamiliar than frightened. That's what Glenn brought to the role.

Thank you SOOOOO much for posting this! I was unbelievably fortunate to get a front row, dead center seat to see Betty's "Norma". Even though this footage is zoomed in for the climax of the show, the perspective is what I saw from that front row seat. She came to the lip of the stage, standing just a few feet from me, and raised the roof (and every hair on my body) with her incredible vocals. In all my 27 yearly trips to Broadway, and after seeing 100's of shows, those few moments with Betty remain the most electric moments of my life, and the most time-stopping moments from any show I've seen!! This video took me back to that front row seat, and I cannot thank you enough for that!!!

@bar10ml44

2 жыл бұрын

I’m in the same magical world as you were. I had no idea this was available to live again.

I saw Betty do this during her first preview performance in London, I remember the audience was not familiar with her and when she did "With One Look" the audience gave her a large ovation but when she sang this song, she stopped the show cold! I was sitting on the side box seats above the cast and could see Betty's reaction, you could tell she was estactic. Saw her a few more times in London and New York, this was definitely her signature song.

@vhudspath1

4 жыл бұрын

WHAT A great comment! Thank you!!! Betty really NAILED Norma!

@HughCorbyCruick

4 жыл бұрын

A fantastic rendition but, sorry, “Memory” from “Cats” is her career highlight.

@scihard

4 жыл бұрын

@@HughCorbyCruick I agree that Memory is her overall signature song but I was actually referencing SB. Lucky to see her do Cats - nothing short of thrilling!

@amandajames5068

3 жыл бұрын

Socal Dihard I saw her in London too. She absolutely brought the house down with With One Look The standing ovation rightly went on for minutes

The effortless power in her voice is bewildering. Reminds me of celine.

No matter how many times I watch this..she takes my breath away.

I had the privilege of seeing Betty in the Broadway Production of S.B. Never seen or heard ANYTHING like that!!! I was in heaven!!!!!!!!

There have really only been about three performances in my life that have given me the chills. This is one of them. She remains my favourite voice on the planet.

Pleasure of seeing her on Broadway in this role. She was amazing. All of my years of going to shows since this is still the performance to beat.

Her voice is magical, her acting astounding. Always breathtaking.

I was there that evening and indeed it was mesmerizing

Wow!! I have watched Glenn Close, Patti LuPone and Elaine Paige perform this. This is the performance to beat. She has not only the voice, but the acting chops. She is not a diva in drag, she IS Norma Desmond!

@coonalisa230

8 жыл бұрын

+Daniel Kellogg she's like the perfect balance between Patti and Glenn. Soaring vocals meets perfect amount of emotion and drama.

@dellen21

6 жыл бұрын

The best

@BHAKTIBROPHY

6 жыл бұрын

Driven to tears once again. Tears of joy. What a performance!!!

@vhudspath1

4 жыл бұрын

HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD! Wow... Please step aside Glenn (who I adored at the Minskoff first row), Patti... please don't cry for.... and Elaine... well.... Brits can't do Hollywood.... BETTY AT HER BEST!

@toledanogelainirusso3987

4 жыл бұрын

sorry I enjoyed the 4 performances, included Diahan Carroll, and I prefer the performace of Glen Close.

Jesus Christ her voice is insanely good. So much power and not an ounce of tension or strain.

Outstanding and far better than the other divas that played this part! She has the passion, the voice, and the acting -- not to mention the VOCAL!

My GOD she is a gift to this world! 🙏🏽😍

Every moment in this performance is exquisite. The best rendition ever, hands down. But one of my favorite moments is 8:25. The crowd has (justifiably) gone nuts but Betty brings them back into the performance and back into Norma's world with just a sharp look and her hands. It's masterful.

@thefonzkiss

2 жыл бұрын

Masterful.

@bingovegas4867

Жыл бұрын

You don't get out much huh?

@benenter8739

11 ай бұрын

This is the first time I've seen or heard Betty as Norma, and this is just incredible.

My wife and I saw her in Sunset Blvd. just after she replaced Glenn Close and Betty was awesome. My wife had no idea that Sunset Blvd. had been a movie, but she enjoyed it just the same. We had also seen her in CATS, again awesome, and after Sunset Blvd we saw her in a one-woman show in D.C. You would not believe how nice she is to her audience. She sang some songs she wanted to sing then just asked us all what we wanted to hear and sang requests. It was a wonderful evening.

What an acting, what a singing. And so beautiful.

She embodied this character so well. Then we saw THE Norma Desmond. The playing with her voice and her eyes were so beautiful and clear. Yet dramatic and mysterious, and most importantly Memorable. 5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 for this national treasure Betty Buckley

8:08-8:20....EVERY. DAMN. TIME!

@SueDNim

7 жыл бұрын

+It makes my toes curl. I'm not kidding.

@playinthedark3054

6 жыл бұрын

Agreed, Jordan! Every damn time.

@googleuser2874

4 жыл бұрын

Chills

NO ONE, and I mean NO ONE, did that role (or song) justice, gave it/her the necessary TRUE weight, emphasis, interpretation, connoisseur clarity, accurate breath, expert phrasing, and maven storytelling like BETTY BUCKLEY did! End of story (the same with Grizabella and Edwin Drood)!!! ♥

saw her do this, third row, it was chilling, magical and if possible, special TONY worthy, what a performer !

what I wouldn't give to have seen the wonderful, fabulous Betty Buckley in this role....

Betty Buckley brings to life the legend of magic of silent movies through her supreme command of the musical theatre. Here movements are exquisite and her emotion is magnified to epic levels. We are lucky to have this record of her Broadway performance.

Oh man I get chills when she sings!!

Saw her in this as a kid and it was and will always be one of the very best moments in Broadway history. She OWNED it and no one can do that role justice the same way.

7:57 and on gives me the biggest case of goosebumps. What a talent!

I saw Betty Buckley in Sunset Boulevard when it opened in London. She's so amazing her performance gives you goosebumps especially live. Just Fabulous,a real class act.

First time, I saw this show was with Glenn Close. Then I went back to see Betty Buckley. Saw it with her twice. An incredible singer! Again thank I say “Bravo”!!!!’

I don't even like musicals but my god would I watch Betty Buckley do this! Wow!

BETTY BUCKLEY - PERFECT PERFECT PERFECT FOR THIS ROLE

Her styling of this song is amazing!

I was lucky to see her doing this in her NYC run. I had previously seen the show with Elaine paige (fantastic actress and singer) and Patti Lupone (loud, bombastic and zero subtle, in my personal experience) in London. I had no idea what to expect. It blew me away. Her marvellous voice, her acting, her vulnerability, her class, her body language... To this day, and I have seen countless shows over all these years, that night remains the most memorable live theatre experience of my entire life. I believe she has been, together with Elaine paige, the finest performer in this role both vocally and dramatically. She was OUTSTANDING.

I was fighting back the tears the whole performance. perfection!

Wow. Among the best...just found this all these years later!

Betty Buckley is truly THE VOICE OF BROADWAY!! ❤️

@beaellie9766

Жыл бұрын

Was.

@dianesullivan5521

Жыл бұрын

@@beaellie9766 yes, you’re right, saw her in Hello Dolly not long ago, but she still has that magical presence that pulls her audience in. I didn’t see Sunset Blvd, but I sure would have loved to!

Saw her final performance on broadway......it was fabulous!!!!

Incredible. What a presence, and what a voice !!!

Once again the crowd applauds and stand to their feet 10:09 (10:01)

@vladimirnoel3132

3 жыл бұрын

Cool

Commanding and brilliant presence. I wish someone would bring it back - with Betty Buckley! She owned this role. I saw it several times with her. Long standing ovations after this song.

The best performance of this song I've heard. Wonderfully powerful yet delicate at the right spots. Just brilliant.

This remains one of my all time favorite Broadway performances. She was stunning from beginning to end. Just flawless. Just thrilling.

She really is fantastic! I saw Glenn Close in performance at the Shubert in L.A. prior to the show going to Broadway, and she was truly extraordinary, as well. Sitting in the front of the mezzanine when she hit that huge note toward the end, it was like she had control of the theater in much the way Buckley does here. Just sent shivers. Both are just superb; Buckley capturing the diva essence of the role; Close grabbing hold of the insecurity of Desmond, as well. They both made the role their own.

8:10 the way her Voice sounds wth the music.... so powerful!!!

Miss Buckley is a consummate actress and a singular vocalist. This performance shows what can happen when both talents meet. What makes this performance soar is Buckey's understanding that the acting comes first. Conviction of character is what inspires and energizes the vocal. She is a professional.

she owned the shit outta that song! and the audience agreed whole heartedly. what an ovation. she knew it! they knew it! what a great performance captured in time. thank you for the post.

She just brings incredible life to the lyrics. Masterful!

What a lovely voice with a great resonance and timbre. Its a little deeper and even richer than when she was in 'Cats' in the early 80's. But whatever she sings,she holds the listener's interest from beginning to end. She always conveys great emotion and has a wonderful stage presence. Brava Betty !

I always thought no one could touch Patti Lupone's take on this song, but I am speechless. She makes it seem effortless.

How grounded, how honest, how are effortless. I believe and “feel” Betty when she sings. not just hear.

I keep returning here over and over. Miss Betty is that powerful, mind-cleansing phenomenon in the theater that kicks your ass and changes whatever paltry thing you thought before.

@vladimirnoel3132

4 жыл бұрын

It’s on 8/26/1996

@jamesmurrell2306

4 жыл бұрын

@@vladimirnoel3132 And I guess that means that some work is timeless.

@vladimirnoel3132

4 жыл бұрын

James Murrell yep it’s in late summer 1996

this is a magical song..a real masterpiece....and performed wonderfully here by ms buckley

This is one of the most stunning performances I have ever heard in my life, the power and control of the song is marvellous. It brings tears to my eyes, the vulnerability and grandeur are special, really special indeed. Amazing!!!!

THE NATURAL VIBRATO!!! UGH I LOVE HERRR

Go on now.....really, .....the best.

Just rewatched.. how can you not... freakin perfect bone structure! Let alone her talents!

THE Voice of Broadway does it yet again. The tone, the power, her musicality - and of course, her emotion make this a magical performance and one which should endure... and endure for all time. Brava, Betty Buckley.

Outstanding talent. There is nothing better. Her belt though. Crying.

What I would not have given to have been lucky enough to be sitting in that audience .... She is simply spellbinding

@myark437

7 жыл бұрын

Mark Boston I saw her opening night on Broadway. She had to sit the audience down due to standing ovations. She's amazing!

@bkynbiker

7 жыл бұрын

Myark, I was there that night too and you're exactly right - she had to hold her arms out, as I recall, to drop the wild standing ovation mid-song so that she could finish - a Broadway moment of a lifetime

It is a shame that I only knew of this woman from the movie Split. Now that I've found out who she is and seen her performances in Sunset Blvd and Cats, I am absolutely in love with her! She has the stage presence, the voice . . . . . this is who every woman on Broadway should aspire to be like!

What a powerhouse! Hard to believe she was on "Eight is Enough." LOL!

I have seen several showings of Sunset with other Normas..Linda Balgord, Elaine Paige, Karen Mason…Each one brings a wonderful interpretation of the by-gone silent film star.

Good lord she's a miracle! amazing.

NEVER EVER EVER DONE BETTER THAN MS BUCKLEY!!!!!!

Oh my God. So blown away. Wow.

Wow pure power and control

Wow. Just, WOW! 😱

8.16 that applause says it all

Saw her three times. Thanks for capturing this "live" moment. Simply the best Norma!!!!!

Breathtaking

I've seen Glenn three times and I can safely say that Betty owns this song more than anyone before or since.

Amazing voice! Love her in this!

Thank you, thank you, thank you! There's no one like her.

I was sitting in the balcony when I saw this cast on Broadway. I was spellbound, but it's such a pleasure now to see Betty Buckley's face as she performed this song.

You're an angel for uploading this. Beautiful!!! And so great to be able to see her face up close during this song.

God she had somthing really special !

Certain people defined a role Barbra as Fanny, Ellen as Audrey, Carol as Dolly, Patti as Evita and Betty as Norma. I got to live New York theater from the 1970's and 80's and I know in my heart there was no better era for theater. I live in hope that voices like these become a commodity again.

@bookemdano7567

4 жыл бұрын

They, unfortunately, will not. Everything now is being treated as an American Idol audition and over sung. There’s not a lot of uniqueness in voices these days. They all sound alike. It’s sad when you see older shows that are still playing, like Les Mis and Phantom and there’s so much over singing, it’s pathetic! Everything has become a power ballad because that’s what the new generation expects. Its like that in revivals of older shows, now, too.

@liamhanrahan1798

3 жыл бұрын

I agree, Steven Fischer.

THE BEST BY A MILE

There's not nearly enough Buckley material on Spotify! She is my absolute favorite.

the very best

one of her best live performances ever.

The way she draws in the power and releases it on the final "dream"...chills. Elaine Paige's professionally recorded performance may have been technically prettier or whatever, but to me this is hands down the greatest performance of this song. I just saw Betty Buckley in M. Night Shyamalan's "Split" and she was just as good there in a non-musical performance. Actors have won Oscars for lesser performances than the one she gave in that movie. She is a very moving actress and singer who knows how to get to the heart of any scene or song.

She is just great! It's that simple! Wish I could of seen this

Best belter in Broadway history.