The three most famous Berthes, Irene Ryan, Martha Raye and Andrea Martin, were all 65 years old when they performed the role. One of the simplest and greatest lines in the history of Broadway musicals: "Here is a secret I never have told. Maybe you'll understand why. I believe if I refuse to grow old, I can stay young 'til I die." What a perfect philosophy!
@kymarcin Miss Ryan died during the original B'way run. I'd loved to have seen her do this. I notice here that they cut the lyric, " Nook and cranny.....being called GRANNY". This was cut, I'm sure in deference to Ryan..that was her lyric -- ode to Granny from The Beverly Hillbillies.
I love this song. When our high school did it, all cast and crew not on stage would gather backstage and encourage the audience to sing by joining in at full volume. We had so much fun with it.
Martha Raye was very up in years when she did this and as I remember but, always the pro, she is right on target here with every detail. She enjoyed a remarkable career in vaudeville, stage and film, and was a great patriot not only entertaining the troops but providing nursing care too. She was a great jazz singer (Anita O'Day cited her as a major influence) but when her film career as a comic bloomed she felt she needed to focus on that.
This performance still stands up. Martha is great here. I love the revival, but this has its own charm. Porque no los dos right? Enjoy each performance for its own beauty.
The same here Robert. I found this song touching when I saw Pippin years ago on Broadway. 40 years later, I find it even more so... I can so relate to how fast time flies.... in just no time at all.
I love the guy at 4:27. He is so into it! that is me every time I hear this song! :) My high school is doing this show in Scotland this year, at the Fringe Festival. I LOVE it so much, so excited!!!
Martha Raye!! "The bathroom's broken!!" - Airport79 The CONCRODE anyone??She is excellent in this clip - what an amazing song!! Discovered it via Elaine Paige On Sunday on BBC Radio 2,and PIPPIN is on my list of musicals to go see now!
Agreed! Her traumatized and depressed grandson comes for advice and she tells him to eat some food, get laid and stop over thinking. Best grandmother ever !
Up until the late 80s, Martha was still in relatively good shape kept working, But eventually her years of drinking caught up with her and the last 6 or 7 years of her life were spent in and out of hospitals. A year prior to her death due to circulation problems both of her legs were amputated.
@pudgeuncle Fosse and Schwartz had different visions for this show. Fosse won out. I was the magic consultant on several productions. I always thought it was a fun show.
Laceykat66 she could’ve if she had the same lines and direction that Martha Raye and Irene Ryan by Bob Fosse but...Schwartz. The circus theme is a gimmick and unoriginal. Shame! Andrea Martin would’ve been amazing with Fosse’s concept. She has the grandmotherly warmth and humor required for Bertha, but putting her on a trapeze was more important. The 2005 and 2013 versions of the librettos are neutered imitations of what the show once was and have no reason to exist aside to stroke Schwartz’s ego and grudge against Fosse.
I believe that the original actor got fed up with the shoes he was given because they never fit right, and asked if he could go barefoot. After that, it became tradition to have Pippin played barefoot. That's how I remember the story anyway, but I could be wrong.
Was Irene Ryan ever filmed in her performance? I know she died only after a few months of performing. From what I've heard her performance was incredible.
OK, I'll be the heretic and say it - it's a fine performance, but folks it "aint Irene Ryan". Ms. Ryan put a lot more feeling into each line; when she sang "I could waylay some aging roue and persuade him to play in some cranny . . ." it was said so conspiratorially you believed she was really admitting a very personal thought to her adoring audience. Not to disparage Ms. Raye, but she doesn't sell me on the idea she's talking to me as much as singing the words. "Granny" was fabulous, I was blessed to be able to see her do it before it killed her (which it actually DID) and I wish there was a film of it so you could all see it. It was wonderful.
William Katt, from "The Greatest American Hero". He also appeared as the Flower Angel Prince in "Thumbelina" (Wow, not a manly word in that sentence) and later played a creepy Gary Condit-like politician on "Son of the Beach".
William Katt has a sneaking resemblance to a MacMeekin a relative of mine once by marriage. Not the first time I've noticed this. I notice unimportant information. Like Sissy spacek kind of resembled my friend Marri who passed away. As time goes on I can connect everything but me and my immediate family. Until my niece and who else? Me? No. Maybe.
The three most famous Berthes, Irene Ryan, Martha Raye and Andrea Martin, were all 65 years old when they performed the role. One of the simplest and greatest lines in the history of Broadway musicals: "Here is a secret I never have told. Maybe you'll understand why. I believe if I refuse to grow old, I can stay young 'til I die." What a perfect philosophy!
I love when they show the audience singing and everyone is middle-aged. LOL! Makes the song even more appropriate!
Best version of this show ever! Ben Vereen, Martha Raye, Chita Rivera, and William Katt made this show amazing!
Martha Raye was great... she made me laugh even before opening her mouth! A great performance!! 5/5
XD LOL "Men and thier wars!.....Sometimes I think they raise flags when they can't get nothin' else up!"-You said it Bertha!
Martha Raye was the best. No wonder she was called the Big Mouth, it was hilarious. She enjoyed her work.
I watched her in an old movie and she was very attractive,I thought it her voice was different she would have been perceived quite differently ❤
What a treat to see this veteran performer in a role like this!
@kymarcin Miss Ryan died during the original B'way run. I'd loved to have seen her do this. I notice here that they cut the lyric, " Nook and cranny.....being called GRANNY". This was cut, I'm sure in deference to Ryan..that was her lyric -- ode to Granny from The Beverly Hillbillies.
You can watch Irene Ryan performing as Grandma in Pippin on UA-cam
I saw her in the original production in the 1970's. She was wonderful.
@@charlescopenhagen6198Where exactly?
Martha Raye enjoyed performing and the audience couldn't help themselves from sharing her one of a kind joy.
I love this song. When our high school did it, all cast and crew not on stage would gather backstage and encourage the audience to sing by joining in at full volume. We had so much fun with it.
The part was first done by Irene Ryan (Granny). Martha Raye is also brilliant.
Martha Raye was very up in years when she did this and as I remember but, always the pro, she is right on target here with every detail. She enjoyed a remarkable career in vaudeville, stage and film, and was a great patriot not only entertaining the troops but providing nursing care too. She was a great jazz singer (Anita O'Day cited her as a major influence) but when her film career as a comic bloomed she felt she needed to focus on that.
I love the late, great Martha Raye RIP one of my favorites ❤❤❤❤❤
I love Martha Raye as an actress
Given the chance Martha Raye was a very good jazz singer.RIP Martha, God speed.
This performance still stands up. Martha is great here. I love the revival, but this has its own charm. Porque no los dos right? Enjoy each performance for its own beauty.
The Greatest American Hero!🌅🎆💕
It's really weird seeing her singing using a microphone ! How times have changed ! Brilliant.
Martha Raye was PERFECT for this role.
She is soooo tiny and adorable.
I love this show. It's just incredible.
Long live Bob Fosse! Through his work, his performers and his loyal fans.
The same here Robert. I found this song touching when I saw Pippin years ago on Broadway. 40 years later, I find it even more so... I can so relate to how fast time flies.... in just no time at all.
#1 performance of No Time At All
Bravo, Martha Raye!
Great song I had to sing it for an audition and I got the lead it was the mist amazing song ever!!!
Martha Raye was a phenomenal talent!
Talent is what makes things work. No subsititute
I'd like to see Eric Idle singing this song + Martha singing 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life'. =)
I love the guy at 4:27.
He is so into it! that is me every time I hear this song! :)
My high school is doing this show in Scotland this year, at the Fringe Festival. I LOVE it so much, so excited!!!
1:08 Why I love Martha Raye.
Martha's great. and this was a great show.
"Sages tweet..." Wow, now that's prophetic.
I love this Martha was fab just ordered it on amazon to see the whole show !
When I listened to the entire album it caused me to reflect deeply...and to laugh now and then. Love the musical play.
Martha Raye!! "The bathroom's broken!!" - Airport79 The CONCRODE anyone??She is excellent in this clip - what an amazing song!! Discovered it via Elaine Paige On Sunday on BBC Radio 2,and PIPPIN is on my list of musicals to go see now!
One of my fav theatre moments
If they were to revive this show anytime in the near future, I'd want Angela Lansbury as Berthe.
That would be PERFECT
Yes!!
Well....they revived 4 years after the original comment...with Andrea Martin as Berthe.
Good choice. For a filmed version, I'd love to see Ms. Middler in this role too.
In a future movie adaptation maybe, that'll be wonderful
Martha could sing!! And hysterical!
Greatest American Hero , William Katt.
went to broadway and had a great time w/ this show....this new version is Wild and Fun...thanks to all who made it possible....
LOOOOOVE her voice!!!!!!!
I love Berthe so much shes such a queen
Agreed! Her traumatized and depressed grandson comes for advice and she tells him to eat some food, get laid and stop over thinking. Best grandmother ever !
Martha Raye is GREAT! 🤗
Up until the late 80s, Martha was still in relatively good shape kept working, But eventually her years of drinking caught up with her and the last 6 or 7 years of her life were spent in and out of hospitals. A year prior to her death due to circulation problems both of her legs were amputated.
i loved his reaction when she said that!! xD priceless.
"Grandma, sometimes you say shocking things!" xD roflmao
love this it is awesome!!! I LOVE PIPPIN!!! lol!!! Bertha is so funny!!!
I wish I met Martha Raye
one of the few shows I saw on Broadway, when I had Time to be Living
@pudgeuncle Fosse and Schwartz had different visions for this show. Fosse won out. I was the magic consultant on several productions. I always thought it was a fun show.
Shame that she's gone. RIP. =(
I MISS MARTH RAYE!!!!!!!!!
Martha Raye was great.
I'm not sure about the filming but she is on a cast album that is available on CD. I really liked her version.
Irene ryan is on original cast
1:09 Was that line adlibbed?
Anyone knows?
His laugh is very candid like he's reacting to it for the first time.
The line about raising flags? That’s in the original script. It even made it into my high school’s production in 1982.
in 1994
Blast from the past
Wow..”Granny” (Beverly Hillbillies) Didn’t know she sang on Broadway.
@TheGrlLeastLikely2 : Actually, Irene Ryan suffered a stroke backstage, but didn't die until a few days after that, in a hospital in California.
Favorite part
yeah she was backstage and she was about to go on. they had to stop the whole show. William Katt sang at her funeral.
4:14 King George in You’ll Be Back
@theatrefan06 here here!
@kymarcin she is on the original broadway cast recording of pippin
Is that the Greatest American Hero?!
William Katt.
Andrea Martin goes up on a trapeze on her version of the song!
Yes, but Andrea does not sing it with the same feeling as Irene Ryan or Martha Raye.
Laceykat66 she could’ve if she had the same lines and direction that Martha Raye and Irene Ryan by Bob Fosse but...Schwartz. The circus theme is a gimmick and unoriginal. Shame! Andrea Martin would’ve been amazing with Fosse’s concept. She has the grandmotherly warmth and humor required for Bertha, but putting her on a trapeze was more important. The 2005 and 2013 versions of the librettos are neutered imitations of what the show once was and have no reason to exist aside to stroke Schwartz’s ego and grudge against Fosse.
Andrea is a fucking goddess
She said she had 3 more choruses to do....but only did two. One verse/chorus was edited out. :-)
this is what we're doing this year in school :)
I liked how they showed the audience singing along. It's weird how Pippin doesn't wear shoes through the whole show. I don't know why he doesn't
I believe that the original actor got fed up with the shoes he was given because they never fit right, and asked if he could go barefoot. After that, it became tradition to have Pippin played barefoot. That's how I remember the story anyway, but I could be wrong.
It shows his innocence…
@TheWickedWizardOfOz1, you are correct! I don't remember his source, but Seth Rudetsky mentioned that same story on SiriusXM On Broadway.
I wonder if she did the whole song and they cut it down or if she only did this edited version when they recorded this performance.
But was Irene Ryan ever filmed in the performance? I know she was on the album. It would be so great to see her onstage.
kymarcin there is an audio bootleg recording of her performance on UA-cam.
Rip 🪦 Martha Raye aka Carrie Sharples
@theatrefan06 YES.
William Katt looked hot in 1981.
Was Irene Ryan ever filmed in her performance? I know she died only after a few months of performing. From what I've heard her performance was incredible.
OK, I'll be the heretic and say it - it's a fine performance, but folks it "aint Irene Ryan". Ms. Ryan put a lot more feeling into each line; when she sang "I could waylay some aging roue and persuade him to play in some cranny . . ." it was said so conspiratorially you believed she was really admitting a very personal thought to her adoring audience. Not to disparage Ms. Raye, but she doesn't sell me on the idea she's talking to me as much as singing the words. "Granny" was fabulous, I was blessed to be able to see her do it before it killed her (which it actually DID) and I wish there was a film of it so you could all see it. It was wonderful.
William Katt, from "The Greatest American Hero". He also appeared as the Flower Angel Prince in "Thumbelina" (Wow, not a manly word in that sentence) and later played a creepy Gary Condit-like politician on "Son of the Beach".
i loved singing along to this at the menier chocolate factory :) xxx
I guess there is no flim of Irene in Pippin?
anybody else see the ridiculous jump-cut from 4:14 to 4:15? Other than that great number!
I'm wondering about her saying "you, up there, out" and what was going on. Otherwise, a very good performance
She was telling the person in charge of lighting, who had a spot light on the words of the chorus lyrics, to turn the light off..
What is this from specifically? Did she replace Irene Ryan?
This production was a "one-off" performance in Canada specifically recorded for Canadian television.
Faster pitch than Irene Ryan did.
Was that because of Martha or to shorten the length of the play?
Laceykat66 Maybe the latter, since they also cut some of the lyrics (and trimmed the show in other places)
DEFINITELY... but she is in London. And has not performed since her husband's death...
Is she wearing a watch on her right wrist???
Maybe a bracelet?
William Katt has a sneaking resemblance to a MacMeekin a relative of mine once by marriage. Not the first time I've noticed this. I notice unimportant information. Like Sissy spacek kind of resembled my friend Marri who passed away. As time goes on I can connect everything but me and my immediate family. Until my niece and who else? Me? No. Maybe.
1:13
BA DUM TISH
"sometimes i think men raise flags when they can't get anything else up"
it's too bad that there is no filmed version of irene ryan in the role
did billie hayes ever get to do the role?
There's 1 thing to be sure of.
@swissmiss150
I did also...it was magic.
glee
Martha Raye lingered for years. You mean Irene Ryan.
hi
The original Olenna Tyrel
Would Andrea Martin be ok?
2:41
Why is Berthe holding a microphone. This is like 800 AD lol
OldManJenkins lol this entire song breaks the fourth wall
Did fosse direct this version
Yes
They cut out the second verse, but good stuff nonetheless.
Guy at 4:28 reminds me of Cam from "Modern Family"
when did she die
you dont have google?