Let’s all take a minute and think about how iconic Jennifer Holiday is. She put on this perfect performance every night for 3 consecutive years beginning at the age of 21. She deserves so much more praise and recognition. She is a living legend!
Agreed. Hands down! Saw JH perform in Dreamgirls February '82. And let me tell you; she didn't go! Until she hit THAT last note; the curtain flew down, and the audience were literally on their feet. UNBELIEVABLE! (Something that seldom happens at a BW show, from what I understand: A standing ovation at the close of a first half of a show.)
@@AllenMQuinn No, this is the best performance is Tony and Broadway history. The Phantom of the Opera is a great show and had a great performance. But, it does NOT COMPARE to this whatsoever.
How the hell is ANYBODY actually still sitting after that performance? I'm watching this alone in my bedroom and even I can't help giving her a standing ovation. Wow.
I was there the night “Dream Girls” opened on Broadway, December 1981, sitting in the front role on the right section where Jennifer Holiday belted out “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” all over me. It was a magical night on Broadway 🎭.
Did you notice that African American actors dominated (and deserved) the nominations? In one category it was 5 AA actors, except for one? That STILL doesn't happen with the film academy (Academy Awards). For the most part - the THEATER accepts and rewards actors regardless of race -this has been so for many decades now. That's what rocks about the theater!
i had the distinct pleasure in meeting miss holiday at a pride event in sarasota. she was there when we were setting up, and she had stopped at our booth, and i said "can i help you?" and she said "no im just looking". and i told her that the doors dont open till 12 noon and she said ok...and walked off. then she was on stage and she said "this song is for the gentleman who told me that the doors werent open till 12 noon" and she started with IM NOT GOIN...i just about crapped my pants. she was skinny and i had no idea who she was. i got her autograph after and i appologized. she told me "it's ok". she isnt like the other stars who is pushy...she was down home! i loved her!
I still get chills when I watch and listen. I saw the show 12 times on Broadway with her. At one performance the audience stood on their theater seats and screamed and screamed. It was one of those experiences like Judy Garland at Carnegie Hall Where you had to be there
She has such a soft voice when she's not singing, it's unbelieveable what a strong singing voice she has considering how sweet her speaking voice is ^^
Can we acknowledge the fact that this song also won a Grammy in 1982 and is called the most classic song of all time? And also not to mention this is the number one heartbreak song of all time. And you know this song pays a lot of dividends for Jennifer Holliday as well as the play is very historic. And one other thing, after Jennifer sang this historic song she made her debut album a year later after the Tonys at just 22. This Houston girl was ahead of her time considering the fact that years later she will be seen with another Jennifer and Beyonce who is also from Houston. She was one of the first to open up for a slew of Houston artists
one of the smartest staging choices ever! as the audience is still applauding for effie the dreams come in and basically steal the applause. the symbolism is amazing
It's so weird but cool that Billy Porter was 11 years old when he watched this very performance and became inspired to sing. Now he's 47 and one of the biggest Broadway performers of our time
I'm still crying Everytime I hear Jennifer Holiday sing this song. She's in a glass by her self with this song. Everyone remembes her singing this song notJennifer Hudson
Everything.... Every breath, every step, every word, every hand movement, Was the Performance of a Lifetime! Loved Jennifer Hudson, but still.... This performance by Jennifer Holiday, was Perfection!
I unfortunately was not able to see Jennifer's performance on Broadway but from what I saw at the Tony performance, she not only deserved A Tony but also deserved a "Medal of 'I'm Not Going Anywhere'" :)))
She had a record deal but lost it due to her weight. She speaks of this in an interview done in Australia years ago. She's also still around and performing.
Sometimes I would watch this performance and "skip to the good part" as they say. I know now that doesn't give this performance justice. To appreciate that final note YOU HAVE TO watch this at least with the songs context the way it's presented here. You need to understand where this anguish is coming from. The character of Effie was lied to, cheated on, by people she thought she could trust. She was promised the world would hear her voice and that promise was taken from her. She is letting us know that she will not accept that. Whether you like it or not she's not going and we are going to love her. Perfection.
Thank you so much for explaining this. I showed my friend this video, and she complained about me not skipping forward at first, but then the final note hit. It just doesn’t hit as hard without context
I get chills EVERY time the ending. JHud was great for the screen. You need sho nuff power for the stage. I was 1 and in Queens. Baby should have had a day out lol.
Jennifer sung the hell out of this song during this scene... A show stopping highly charged electrified performance... No wonder she won a Tony award back then :):):)
it was two great preformers getting their awards, Jenifer holiday and Michael Peter the one who choreographed beat it and other dance for Michael Jackson.
I remember seeing her in concert shortly after she left Dreamgirls. She was promoting her first album Feel My Soul. You could feel her voice vibrate through the floor and off of the walls at Constitution Hall in DC. It was magical and a show I'll never forget.
I remember these days as if it was yesterday. Love this. This was a fantastic show on Broadway. They were all superb. Jennifer Holliday has always been a DIVA. She sings with every fiber and soul of her being. Love Her.
My dad did theater and when I was little he'd always tell me how this woman's voice was spectacular..once I heard it..I loved Broadway too...they have the most talented raw performers and performances...talk about who's the best singers?go look on Broadway lol
Watching these acceptance speeches and the love these beautiful black artists received just made me so happy. The way Michael Peters ran to the stage and the way Ben Vereen showed so much love to his friend and colleague, the way Ben Harney and Cleavant Derricks shared and dedicated their awards to the Dreamboys, and the jovial, bubbly spirit and cheerfulness as she graciously accepted her award….. And to see the other phenomenal actors of the cast nominated and to even see David Alan Grier receive a nomination.. This Black Excellence was everything I needed!
Thanks for the great quality video - the best I've seen so far...and to link the awards directly after is fantastic. It gives so much more insight to this magical performance, performers and production. I love it!
I didn't get to see the show.. Tony Brown RIP WDAS FM would play the song every night for weeks at midnight to close his show. I never missed it. I bought the album and wore it out. But nothing matches getting to see the actual performance..Smh What a performance. What a pure joy for me that you posted Jennifer's performance Thank you so much !
You completely and utterly rock for posting these very old Tony Award videos. Im 22 so i never got to see any of these live obviously but LOVE Broadway and the Tonys and love watching these original clips. Thanks again!!!
Let’s all take a minute and think about how iconic Jennifer Holiday is. She put on this perfect performance every night for 3 consecutive years beginning at the age of 21. She deserves so much more praise and recognition. She is a living legend!
Jennifer Hudson can't touch that!
You are so right ... not so easy to do amazing
I think she didn't know how famous she was and will for her whole life. To be a legend, that's what she earned.
@@acoustic61 ok
Absolutely!!! She is!!!
This is without question, one of the all-time best show stopping performances from any musical in Broadway's history.
Agreed. Hands down! Saw JH perform in Dreamgirls February '82. And let me tell you; she didn't go! Until she hit THAT last note; the curtain flew down, and the audience were literally on their feet. UNBELIEVABLE! (Something that seldom happens at a BW show, from what I understand: A standing ovation at the close of a first half of a show.)
Agree 🙌
I'd say it's a tie with this and The Phantom of the Opera with Michael Crawford
@@AllenMQuinn You O’fays will say anything to discredit an African-American woman.
@@AllenMQuinn No, this is the best performance is Tony and Broadway history. The Phantom of the Opera is a great show and had a great performance. But, it does NOT COMPARE to this whatsoever.
If I'd been nominated against her, I would have spent the entire awards season practicing my "runner up" face.
I think I could've only said 'I can't accept this', walked off the stage, bowed to Jennifer and handed it straight over.
livvie brundle Amen. lol. so true!
Lmaoooooo
Now, Ain't that the TRUTH!! JUST THE FACTS as I saw it.
@@livviebrundlefrfr. That's real talk. The others that played Effie after her were a blur
She's so softly spoken and then she sings and blows the roof off! Amazing!
How the hell is ANYBODY actually still sitting after that performance? I'm watching this alone in my bedroom and even I can't help giving her a standing ovation. Wow.
I was there the night “Dream Girls” opened on Broadway, December 1981, sitting in the front role on the right section where Jennifer Holiday belted out “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” all over me. It was a magical night on Broadway 🎭.
Ask4TheUpgrade that’s so amazing!
Did you record it??😆 #joke
I was there also, it was electric.
After all these years, I'm still stunned at this performance.
Agreed!!
This woman is 22 in this. DAMN!!!!
21 actually! :)
She is pretty.
Hands down the greatest performance of musical theater history, no one comes even close
HANDS UP!!!!
Euh
In my humble opinion it is the greatest role ever written for a woman in the American Musical Theater.
She was only 21 here, and already singing like a legend!
Decades ago, my best friend blindfolded me and took me to see the the original cast of DREAMGIRLS on my birthday! What a blessing!
Did you notice that African American actors dominated (and deserved) the nominations? In one category it was 5 AA actors, except for one? That STILL doesn't happen with the film academy (Academy Awards). For the most part - the THEATER accepts and rewards actors regardless of race -this has been so for many decades now. That's what rocks about the theater!
Yes true.
SO TRUE
I wish Dreamgirls had been made in the 80s with Jennifer Holliday and she could have won the Oscar.
Broadway doesn't see color..they see talent and passion.that's the difference between Broadway and Hollywood
@@mickydale8594 It's NYC.
2019 still no one can top Jennifer Holiday perfomance
I agree but I loved Whitney's take as well but your Honor let the record reflect that I do agree that this...is...Jennifer's...song. PERIOD
Both Jennifer Holiday and Jennifer Hudson two of the best.
Each a 100 star in her own excellence.
@@lillianwilliams5510 Jennifer Hudson is also very good, but not as good as Holiday.
So we not going to acknowledge that was THE DAVID ALAN GRIER as a nominee. For a Tony. Prior to In Living Color....wow! A LEGEND!
I was shocked
No standing ovation?? And today they give standing ovation to almost everyone.
I am in absolute tears. She acted and sang with her entire body! Dame Holliday reigns supreme!!!! OMG. Never another like her.
Honeyyyyyyyy, she LIVED in that performance. I'm legit speechless!
Nobody can beat JH in the role she originated. Brings goosebumps every time I hear that last note. Outstanding!
i had the distinct pleasure in meeting miss holiday at a pride event in sarasota. she was there when we were setting up, and she had stopped at our booth, and i said "can i help you?" and she said "no im just looking". and i told her that the doors dont open till 12 noon and she said ok...and walked off. then she was on stage and she said "this song is for the gentleman who told me that the doors werent open till 12 noon" and she started with IM NOT GOIN...i just about crapped my pants. she was skinny and i had no idea who she was. i got her autograph after and i appologized. she told me "it's ok". she isnt like the other stars who is pushy...she was down home! i loved her!
Eartha Quake lucky for you! She seems so honest and down to earth on her interviews.
i was to embarrassed but she did autograph my pride program
I read it and just died of laughter lol
Eartha Quake yesssssss lol I love it
Lol
She has a powerful voice for someone so young
Jerius Robinson she’s an old soul
she's got the sweetest delicate speaking voice but when the music starts she's a force of nature
man her voice is incredible!
I still get chills when I watch and listen. I saw the show 12 times on Broadway with her. At one performance the audience stood on their theater seats and screamed and screamed. It was one of those experiences like Judy Garland at Carnegie Hall Where you had to be there
I watched this in my bedroom on a 9" B&W TV. All these years later, I'm still stunned by this performance.
She has such a soft voice when she's not singing, it's unbelieveable what a strong singing voice she has considering how sweet her speaking voice is ^^
Can we acknowledge the fact that this song also won a Grammy in 1982 and is called the most classic song of all time? And also not to mention this is the number one heartbreak song of all time. And you know this song pays a lot of dividends for Jennifer Holliday as well as the play is very historic. And one other thing, after Jennifer sang this historic song she made her debut album a year later after the Tonys at just 22. This Houston girl was ahead of her time considering the fact that years later she will be seen with another Jennifer and Beyonce who is also from Houston. She was one of the first to open up for a slew of Houston artists
Thanks for the history that I was ignorant of! I stumbled on this and it was all so amazing.... I wish you and yours well!
8:12 The transition from Effie's solo to the new Dreams is so smooth and effortless.
one of the smartest staging choices ever! as the audience is still applauding for effie the dreams come in and basically steal the applause. the symbolism is amazing
What a world of difference between the speaking voice and singing voice of JH. What a musical instrument she has!!!
It's so weird but cool that Billy Porter was 11 years old when he watched this very performance and became inspired to sing. Now he's 47 and one of the biggest Broadway performers of our time
Saw this in '82..LIFE ALTERING!!
Fantastic performance from Holiday. RIP to Bennett. He created one heck of a show alongside his partner.
Tears in October, 2021.
No debate. She and Jennifer Hudson both 10 Stars.
Excellent performance.
Ms Hudson is good, but Miss Holiday is so far ahead of anyone else, that it’s pointless making comparisons
Wow! actors really knew how to give great, succinct, dignified acceptance speeches back then. what has happened to this lost art-form????
4 years in the future and seems to have only gotten worse... Oh well.
Sorry sug. Apparently we've lost a lot of things manners right along with them
I watch this when I was 15 years old til this day her ending gives me the chills....... No one can sing that way !
I'm still crying Everytime I hear Jennifer Holiday sing this song. She's in a glass by her self with this song. Everyone remembes her singing this song notJennifer Hudson
She has always been just gorgeous. I envy her beautiful voice and amazing acting ability.
Everything.... Every breath, every step, every word, every hand movement, Was the Performance of a Lifetime! Loved Jennifer Hudson, but still.... This performance by Jennifer Holiday, was Perfection!
I am amazed that after all these years, I never saw the Tony award "winners" speeches. Thanks for sharing them.
DAMN Dreamgirls cleaned house!
Except Best Musical which was a real snub.
Amaaaaaaazing. The original Dreamgirls will always rock. Yeah baby!
She was so beautiful accepting her award! Amazing performance, one of the best ever!
timeless, keep coming back to watch this.
WOW..it was so nice to see this again. When she came to LA I saw it twice and still get the chills. It 's been 22 years ago. OMG
Just taking notice that two brothers have same name
This is just perfection. Plain and Simple. One of the Best Performances Ever.
Nobody but nobody performs this song as well as she does. JHud's Oscar-winning performance was amazing, but didn't displace The Queen.
THIS SO DAMM BEAUTIFUL!
I unfortunately was not able to see Jennifer's performance on Broadway but from what I saw at the Tony performance, she not only deserved A Tony but also deserved a "Medal of 'I'm Not Going Anywhere'" :)))
I saw Dreamgirls on Broadway when I was almost 13 (many moons ago). My sister's friend got sick and I got her ticket. I didn't know how lucky I was.
In my humble opinion it is the greatest role ever written for a woman in the American Musical Theater.
Every time I view this I am in awe, emotional! Jennifer Hudson could never touch this.
Y'all should hear her sing "I Am Changing"!!!!
What a lovely, bubbly speech.
Loretta looks amazing and sounds great.
It would be exhausting to perform that 8 times a week. Why a one hit wonder for so many of these actors?????
word
Politics sadly.
She had a record deal but lost it due to her weight. She speaks of this in an interview done in Australia years ago. She's also still around and performing.
@@laamiroly She had an a.azing gosp album. I still love her version of "It is well."
She actually makes my tummy get butterflies - so powerful.
Sometimes I would watch this performance and "skip to the good part" as they say. I know now that doesn't give this performance justice. To appreciate that final note YOU HAVE TO watch this at least with the songs context the way it's presented here. You need to understand where this anguish is coming from. The character of Effie was lied to, cheated on, by people she thought she could trust. She was promised the world would hear her voice and that promise was taken from her.
She is letting us know that she will not accept that. Whether you like it or not she's not going and we are going to love her. Perfection.
Thank you so much for explaining this. I showed my friend this video, and she complained about me not skipping forward at first, but then the final note hit. It just doesn’t hit as hard without context
I didn't realize all that she did was humanly possible. Spectacular! This particular performance is on the list I keep of 'masterpieces'
OOOH I still get goose bumps when Jennifer Holiday sings... AMAZING as always!!
This is what theatre is ALL about....
Victor Borge AND Jennifer Holliday! It doesn't get more musically talented than this, folks!
Michael Bennett did The Chorus Line as well! No wonder!!
Now THAT is a performance. Chills and more chills. What a legend. Greatest to ever do it. ♥️
Oh wow Raul Julia, what a wonderful actor he was. RIP
This will always be Jennifer Holidays song Period!
She was in her early 20s here! Killing it!! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Her Best Performance Ever!!!
Dreamgirls would be nothing without Jennifer Holliday....she's the reason I kept going...I love the show don't get me wrong...my fav!~
I get chills EVERY time the ending. JHud was great for the screen. You need sho nuff power for the stage. I was 1 and in Queens. Baby should have had a day out lol.
That gasp for air is so powerful that history was made in both music and stage! LOVE ME SOME Effie as brought to life by Jennifer Holliday!
Jennifer sung the hell out of this song during this scene... A show stopping highly charged electrified performance... No wonder she won a Tony award back then :):):)
it was two great preformers getting their awards, Jenifer holiday and Michael Peter the one who choreographed beat it and other dance for Michael Jackson.
WoW.! Thank.
Thanks for putting them all in one video. It beats having to search for 5 different videos.
I remember seeing her in concert shortly after she left Dreamgirls. She was promoting her first album Feel My Soul. You could feel her voice vibrate through the floor and off of the walls at Constitution Hall in DC. It was magical and a show I'll never forget.
Ben Harney I have deep respect and admiration for his humility and Love To Almighty God ♡♡♡
I remember these days as if it was yesterday. Love this. This was a fantastic show on Broadway. They were all superb. Jennifer Holliday has always been a DIVA. She sings with every fiber and soul of her being. Love Her.
saw her live in the show in 82...blew everyone away and still does today!
My dad did theater and when I was little he'd always tell me how this woman's voice was spectacular..once I heard it..I loved Broadway too...they have the most talented raw performers and performances...talk about who's the best singers?go look on Broadway lol
Never knew Loretta Devine and Sheryl Lee Ralph were original Dreamgirls on Broadway back in the 80s :)
Much thanks for the poster of this video! I had always watched the performance but never the follow up speeches so thank you
This performance by JH REACHES FORWARD 43 YEARS into the future and grabs me and won't let go. I'm in tears. Whew!
Such a sweet voice!
Thank you for putting together this compilation, I'm so glad I found it!
When I figure out time travel I'm using it to see this show.
I perform Jennifer in drag shows and drag contest! I love her
Watching these acceptance speeches and the love these beautiful black artists received just made me so happy. The way Michael Peters ran to the stage and the way Ben Vereen showed so much love to his friend and colleague, the way Ben Harney and Cleavant Derricks shared and dedicated their awards to the Dreamboys, and the jovial, bubbly spirit and cheerfulness as she graciously accepted her award….. And to see the other phenomenal actors of the cast nominated and to even see David Alan Grier receive a nomination.. This Black Excellence was everything I needed!
I got chills wow all through my body what a powerful song she sang that song love it 🎶🎶
Nothing but CLASS~!!! Dreamgirls had it ALL...
SING JENNIFER HOLLIDAY.☺☺😅😅
Very sweet and deserving.
Great clip! Thank you for this one.
NOBODY, I mean NOBODY can sing that and do it justice like Jennifer Holiday. HANDS DOWN!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the great quality video - the best I've seen so far...and to link the awards directly after is fantastic. It gives so much more insight to this magical performance, performers and production. I love it!
I didn't get to see the show..
Tony Brown RIP WDAS FM would play the song every night for weeks at midnight to close his show. I never missed it. I bought the album and wore it out.
But nothing matches getting to see the actual performance..Smh
What a performance.
What a pure joy for me that you posted Jennifer's performance
Thank you so much !
She is and it will always be the Best of All! Perfection at its best!
a million thanks 2 u for this!! this is a gem!!
That was so beautiful wow what an amazing performance
Stilll gives me chills with her God given talent❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
You completely and utterly rock for posting these very old Tony Award videos. Im 22 so i never got to see any of these live obviously but LOVE Broadway and the Tonys and love watching these original clips. Thanks again!!!
Thank u for sharing this amazing Broadway play all the actors were amazing.
She Is a gift from God
Aww, so nice to see Michael Peters!!! Really wish I could have seen this show live-so amazing!!!
This is so cool...Thanks a lot for sharing.