Today we celebrate Broadway's best and brightest moments in the colorful history of the Tony Awards - looking ahead to the 2012 Tony telecast on June 10 on CBS - with this tremendous trio of triple-threat talents; all on the same stage and all recreating the iconic roles and songs that brought them to Tony Award glory: Jennifer Holliday with the searing, soul-baring "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from DREAMGIRLS, Patti LuPone with the heartfelt and unforgettable "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" from EVITA and Betty Buckley with the worldwide pop crossover hit "Memory" from CATS. All original leading ladies; all performing the songs they introduced on the Great White Way nearly two decades later - all as fabulous as always, if not much more so. Like fine wine, so do divas age - and this clip is clear proof.
Leave it to three-time Tony Awards host Rosie O'Donnell to make a magical Tony Award moment worth revisiting over and over again in her dynamic and well-structured salute to three of the most memorable divas ever, each in their most fondly remembered role, singing up a storm and owning the stage as only performers the likes of them can possibly do. Starting off the 1999 Tony Awards - the 52nd annual show - in the best of all possible manners, O'Donnell graciously pays tribute to the triptych of dynamos by way of an introduction and inventive musical interweaving of CHICAGO's "Roxie" in the exciting and boisterous arrangement for the opening number. Then, Rosie steps aside to let the leading ladies do what they do best: belt!"Don't Cry For Me Argentina"? "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going"? "Memory"? What bigger and better Broadway showstoppers could we possibly ask for in a diva medley, even on Tony night? Patti LuPone, Jennifer Holliday, Betty Buckley and Rosie O'Donnell sharing the stage is the cherry on top. So, what are you waiting for? Dig in!
Which classic Broadway stand-and-sing diva anthem is your absolute favorite of all? Does the DREAMGIRLS barn-burner simply blow them all away, or do one of the Andrew Lloyd Webber creations set your soul afire, too? One thing is for sure: only Rosie could arrange and pull off such a coup of divas times three! Let us hope this year brings us some major divadom reminiscent of this tasty, triple-scoop Tony treat!
