Enjoy a revue of milestone Broadway shows and songs from 1973 to 2023 hosted by two-time Tony Award winner Sutton Foster. Features performances by André De Shields, Chita Rivera, Vanessa Williams and more from Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater.
-Next... -Tonight, we're honoring "Great Performances" at 50 by celebrating Broadway's best.
-♪ And all that jazz ♪ -Commemorating "Great Performances" 50th anniversary on PBS, two-time Tony Award winner Sutton Foster hosts a star-studded concert showcasing milestone Broadway shows from the 1970s to today.
-Any Broadway shows?
-Let's be honest, to present a song from each production would probably take us to our 75th anniversary.
-Join us for a salute to five decades of unforgettable musical theater, "Great Performances," Celebrating 50 Years of Broadway's Best is next.
-♪ anything goes!
♪ ♪ Laydee yodellaydee yodellaydee yodel loo!
♪ ♪♪ Major funding for "Great Performances" is provided by... ...and by contributions to your PBS station from viewers like you.
Thank you.
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ -♪ Bobby... ♪ -♪ Bobby... ♪ -♪ Robert darling... ♪ -♪ Bobby bubbi... ♪ -♪ Robby... ♪ -♪ Robert darling... ♪ -♪ Bobby, we've been trying to call you ♪ -♪ Bobby, bubbi ♪ -♪ Angel, I've got something to tell you ♪ -♪ Bobby love... ♪ -♪ Bobby honey... ♪ -♪ Bobby, we've been trying to reach you all day ♪ -♪ The kids were asking ♪ -♪ Bobby, there was something ♪ ♪ We wanted to say ♪ -♪ Your line was busy ♪ -♪ Bobby, sweetie, how have you been?
♪ -♪ Stop by on your way home ♪ -♪ Seems like weeks since we talked to you!
♪ -♪ Bobby, we've been thinking of you!
♪ -♪ Drop by anytime ♪ ♪ Bobby, come on over for dinner ♪ ♪ We'll be so glad to see you!
♪ ♪ Bobby, come on over for dinner ♪ ♪ Just be the three of us, only the three of us ♪ ♪ We love... ♪ ♪ You ♪ ♪ Phone rings, door chimes, in comes ♪ ♪♪ ♪ No strings, good times, room hums, company ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -And now, please welcome your host: two-time Tony Award winner Sutton Foster.
[ Cheers and applause ] -Hi!
Good evening, and welcome.
Tonight we're honoring "Great Performances" at 50 by celebrating Broadway's best.
We'll be joined by original stars, current stars, Tony Award winners and theater legends.
Scratch that -- theater royalty.
[ Cheers and applause ] Because royalty is on brand for PBS.
For many of us who grew up outside of New York City, "Great Performances" was our first chance to fall in love with theater, dance, music and Broadway.
So come on in... [ Cheers and applause ] Come on in, let's fall in love all over again, and happy anniversary!
♪ Company!
♪ ♪ Company!
♪ ♪ Company, lots of company ♪ ♪ Life is company, love is company ♪ ♪ Company ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] We'll start tonight's celebration when "Great Performances" first premiered in the early 1970s.
Stephen Sondheim's "Company" set the tone and painted a picture of a city of strangers all searching for a connection.
The look and sound of Broadway reflected the changing times, exciting new voices forged that connection and transformed the art form with inventive productions.
Among them, a trailblazing soul spectacular that eased us down the road to Oz; Michael Bennett's prayer for dancers whose lives were on the line; Kander and Ebb's musical vaudeville about a killer chorus girl, her razzle dazzle lawyer, and a scintillating sinner; and Steven Schwartz and Bob Fosse's theatrical tale of a prince trying to find his place in the world.
With some "Magic To Do," please welcome my friend, Grammy and Tony Award winner, Patina Miller.
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ [ Chorus vocalizing ] ♪ Join us, leave your fields to flower ♪ ♪ Join us, leave your cheese to sour ♪ ♪ Join us, come and waste an hour or two ♪ ♪ Doo-dle-ee-do ♪ ♪ Journey, journey to a spot ♪ ♪ Exciting, mystic and exotic ♪ ♪ Journey through our anecdotic revue ♪ ♪ We've got magic to do ♪ ♪ Just for you ♪ ♪ We've got miracle plays to play ♪ ♪ We've got parts to perform ♪ ♪ Hearts to warm ♪ ♪ Kings and things to take by storm, ♪ ♪ As we go along our way ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ We've got magic to do ♪ ♪ Just for you ♪ ♪ We've got miracle plays to play ♪ ♪ We've got parts to perform ♪ ♪ Hearts to warm ♪ ♪ Kings and things to take by storm ♪ ♪ As we go along our way ♪ ♪ We got magic to do just for you ♪ ♪ We got magic to do just for you ♪ ♪ We've got foibles and fables to portray ♪ ♪ As we go along ♪ ♪ Our way ♪ ♪ Hey!
♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -From "The Wiz," the original Wizard, Tony Award winner André de Shields.
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ -♪ So you wanted to meet the Wizard ♪ ♪ Let me tell you that you've come to the right place ♪ ♪ Shall I make you a frog or a lizard?
♪ ♪ You should see the strained expression on your face ♪ ♪ If the way I come on is fright'ning ♪ ♪ That's the way I felt like coming on today ♪ ♪ Have you ever been kissed by lightning ♪ ♪ Let me tell you, that will make you go away ♪ ♪ I fly ♪ ♪ And the magic of my power takes me higher ♪ ♪ To a level where the clouds turn into fire ♪ ♪ In the warmness of the fire I feel fine ♪ ♪ So keep your eyes open ♪ ♪ And the magic you will see ♪ ♪ It will whistle on the wind ♪ ♪ As it emanates from me ♪ ♪ It's a strong and true vibration ♪ ♪ You can feel it on your skin ♪ ♪ So come and take my hand ♪ ♪ And we will dance ♪ ♪ Upon the wind ♪ ♪ The wind ♪ ♪ Whoo!
♪ ♪♪ ♪ So you wanted to meet ♪ ♪ The Wiza-a-a-ard!
♪ [ Cheers and applause ] [ Laughing ] [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ -Again!
Step, kick, kick, leap kick, touch.
Again.
Step, kick, kick, leap kick, touch.
Again.
Step, kick, kick, leap kick, touch.
Again.
Step, kick, kick, leap kick, touch.
Right.
That connects with turn, turn, touch, down, back step, pivot step, walk, walk, walk.
No, no, no, the last part is: pivot step walk, walk, walk.
Try it from from the last turn.
Five, six, seven, eight.
Turn turn touch, down, back step.
Pivot step, walk, walk, walk.
Right!
Okay, let's try the whole combination facing away from the mirror.
From the top!
A-five, six, seven, eight!
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ -♪ I really need this job ♪ ♪ Please, God, I need this job ♪ -♪ I've got to get this job ♪ -Any Broadway shows?
Broadway shows?
Okay, when I call out your number, please form a line.
Number 2.
Number 9.
Number 10.
37... 149.
Robyn?
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪ Give me somebody to dance for ♪ ♪ Give me somebody to show ♪ ♪ Let me wake up in the morning ♪ ♪ To find I have somewhere exciting to go ♪ ♪ To have something ♪ ♪ That I can believe in ♪ ♪ To have someone to be ♪ ♪ Use me ♪ ♪ Choose me ♪ ♪ God, I'm a dancer ♪ ♪ A dancer dances ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ [ Tempo increases ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ -Oh... Hi!
[ Laughs ] What is that?
Oh, that's a vamp.
Yeah!
And -- and that's a John Kander vamp.
[ Cheers and applause ] I mean, you can't beat a John Kander vamp.
♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ Come on, babe, why don't we paint the town ♪ ♪ And all that jazz ♪ ♪ I'm gonna rouge my knees and roll my stockings down ♪ ♪ And all that jazz ♪ ♪ Start the car, I know a whoopee spot ♪ ♪ Where the gin is cold but the piano's hot ♪ ♪ It's just a noisy hall where there's a nightly brawl ♪ ♪ And all ♪ ♪ That ♪ ♪ Jazz ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ Aw, slick your hair and wear your buckle shoes ♪ ♪ And all that jazz ♪ ♪ I hear that father dip is gonna blow the blues ♪ ♪ And all that jazz ♪ ♪ Come on, babe, we're gonna brush the sky ♪ ♪ I betcha Lucky Lindy never flew so high ♪ ♪ 'Cause in the stratosphere how could he lend an ear ♪ ♪ To all ♪ ♪ That ♪ ♪ Jazz ♪ -♪ Oh, you're gonna see her sheba shimmy shake ♪ -♪ And all that jazz ♪ -♪ Oh, she's gonna shimmy till her garters break ♪ -♪ And all that jazz ♪ -♪ Show her where to park her girdle ♪ ♪ Oh, her mother's blood'll curdle ♪ ♪ If she'd hear her baby's queer ♪ -♪ For all ♪ ♪ That ♪ ♪ Jazz ♪ ♪ No, I'm no ones wife ♪ ♪ But, oh, I love my life ♪ ♪ And all ♪ ♪ All that ♪ ♪ All that jazz!
♪ ♪ I said, I said that jazz!
♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Whoo!
Whoo!
[ Cheers and applause ] Mwah!
Mwah!
Mwah!
Mwah!
[ Cheers and applause ] -Tony Award nominee Robyn Hurder, Tony winner Donna McKechnie and Lifetime Tony winner Chita Rivera.
[ Cheers and applause ] And now to the Tony winning best musical that celebrated the legacy of Fats Waller, here to misbehave and get this joint jumpin', Grammy award winner, Ledisi.
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ -♪ No one to talk with ♪ ♪ All by myself ♪ ♪ No one to walk with ♪ ♪ But I'm happy on the shelf ♪ ♪ Ain't misbehavin' ♪ ♪ I'm savin' my love for you ♪ And you, and you -- ooh, child, and you!
♪ I know for certain ♪ ♪ The one I love ♪ ♪ I'm through with flirtin' ♪ ♪ It's just you that I'm thinkin' of ♪ ♪ Ain't misbehavin' ♪ ♪ I'm savin' my love for you ♪ ♪ Mm ♪ ♪ Like Jack Horner in the corner ♪ ♪ Don't go nowhere, what do I care?
♪ ♪ Your kisses are worth waitin' for ♪ ♪ Believe me ♪ ♪ I don't stay out late ♪ ♪ Don't care to go ♪ ♪ I'm home about eight ♪ ♪ It's just me and that radio ♪ ♪ Ain't misbehavin' ♪ ♪ I'm savin' my love for you ♪ ♪ They have a new expression ♪ ♪ Along old Harlem way ♪ ♪ That tells you if the party ♪ ♪ Is ten times more than gay ♪ ♪ To say that things are jumpin' ♪ ♪ Leaves not a single doubt ♪ ♪ That everything is in full swing ♪ ♪ When you hear somebody shout ♪ ♪ Here it is!
This joint is jumpin' ♪ ♪ It's really jumpin' ♪ ♪ Come in, cats, and check your hats ♪ ♪ I mean, this joint is jumpin' ♪ ♪ The piano's thumpin' ♪ ♪ The dancers bumpin' ♪ ♪ This here spot is more than hot ♪ ♪ In fact, the joint is jumpin' ♪ ♪ Check your weapons at the door ♪ ♪ Be sure to pay your quarter ♪ ♪ Burn your leather on the floor ♪ ♪ Grab anybody's daughter ♪ ♪ The roof is rockin' ♪ ♪ The neighbors knockin' ♪ ♪ We're all bums when the wagon comes ♪ ♪ I mean, this joint is jumpin' ♪ Whoo!
[ Instrumental ] Don't hurt nobody now!
♪♪ Whoo!
♪♪ ♪ This joint is jumpin' ♪ ♪ It's really jumpin' ♪ ♪ Every Mose is on his toes ♪ ♪ I mean this joint is jumpin' ♪ ♪ No time for talkin' ♪ ♪ This place is walkin' ♪ ♪ Get your jug and cut the rug ♪ ♪ I think this joint is jumpin' ♪ ♪ Get your pig feet, bread and gin ♪ ♪ There's plenty in the kitchen ♪ ♪ Who's that comin' in here ♪ ♪ Ooh, look at how they twitchin'!
♪ ♪ Don't mind the hour ♪ ♪ 'Cause I'm the power ♪ ♪ I got bail if we go to jail ♪ ♪ I mean this joint is jumpin' ♪ ♪ This joint is jumpin' ♪ ♪ It's really jumpin' ♪ ♪ We're all bums when the wagon comes ♪ ♪ I mean this joint is jumpin'!
♪ Oh-oh!
Bye, y'all, see ya next time!
♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -Please welcome the star of New York City Center's "Evita," Solea Pfeiffer.
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ -♪ It won't be easy ♪ ♪ You'll think it strange ♪ ♪ When I try to explain how I feel ♪ ♪ That I still need your love ♪ ♪ After all that I've done ♪ ♪ You won't believe me ♪ ♪ All you will see is a girl you once knew ♪ ♪ Although she's dressed up to the nines ♪ ♪ At sixes and sevens with you ♪ ♪ I had to let it happen ♪ ♪ I had to change ♪ ♪ Couldn't stay all my life down at heel ♪ ♪ Staring out of the window ♪ ♪ Staying out of the sun ♪ ♪ So I chose freedom ♪ ♪ Running around, trying everything new ♪ ♪ But nothing impressed me at all ♪ ♪ I never expected it to ♪ ♪ Don't cry for me, Argentina ♪ ♪ The truth is I never left you ♪ ♪ All through my wild days ♪ ♪ My mad existence ♪ ♪ I kept my promise ♪ ♪ Don't keep your distance ♪ ♪♪ ♪ And as for fortune, and as for fame ♪ ♪ I never invited them in ♪ ♪ Though it seemed to the world ♪ ♪ They were all I desired ♪ ♪ They are illusions ♪ ♪ They're not the solutions they promised to be ♪ ♪ The answer was here all the time ♪ ♪ I love you ♪ ♪ And hope you love me ♪ ♪ Don't cry for me, Argentina ♪ ♪ The truth is I never left you ♪ ♪ All through my wild days ♪ ♪ My mad existence ♪ ♪ I kept my promise ♪ ♪ Don't keep your distance ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Have I said too much?
♪ ♪ There's nothing more I can think of to say to you ♪ ♪♪ ♪ But all you have to do ♪ ♪ Is look at me to know ♪ ♪ That every word ♪ ♪ Is true ♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -In the 1980s, long-running favorites were joined by Cy Coleman's tribute to America's Greatest Showman and Broadway was forever changed by a British invasion.
Suddenly young fans were wearing Cosette T-shirts and singing about the French Revolution.
The poems of TS Elliot were set to music by Sir Andrew Lloyd Weber, who reunited with Hal Prince to create a mega-hit set in the Paris Opera House.
And following in the shoes of "Ain't Misbehavin'," audiences danced along with a revue based on the music of Duke Ellington.
Get ready to swing with my friend Tony Award winner James Monroe Iglehart.
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ -♪ What good is melody ♪ ♪ What good is music ♪ ♪ If it ain't possessing ♪ ♪ Something sweet ♪ ♪♪ ♪ It ain't the music ♪ ♪ It ain't the melody ♪ ♪ There's something else ♪ ♪ That makes the tune complete ♪ Well...it... ♪ Don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing ♪ ♪ Do wah do wah do wah do wah do wah ♪ ♪ Do wah do wah do wah, ♪ ♪ It don't mean a thing ♪ ♪ 'Cause all you got to do is sing ♪ ♪ Do wah do wah do wah do wah do wah ♪ ♪ It makes no difference if it's sweet or hot ♪ ♪ Just give that rhythm all you got ♪ ♪ Oh, it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing ♪ ♪ Oh, do wah do wah do wah do wah do wah ♪ ♪ Do wah do wah do wah ♪ ♪ It don't mean a thing, all you got to do is sing, ow!
♪ ♪ Do wah do wah do wah do wah do wah ♪ ♪ It don't mean a thing ♪ ♪ 'Cause all you've got to do is swing, oh!
♪ ♪ Skitty bop bop skitty bop ♪ ♪ Do wah do wah do wah do wah do wah ♪ ♪ It makes no difference if it's sweet or hot ♪ ♪ Just give that rhythm all you got ♪ ♪ Don't mean a thing, boy, if it ain't got that swing ♪ ♪ Skitty bop bop skeebop do wah do wah do wah do wah ♪ ♪ Here we go!
♪ Whoo!
♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Oh, it makes no difference if it's sweet or hot ♪ ♪ Give the rhythm everything you got, oh-oh ♪ ♪ Don't mean a thing, boy, if it ain't got that swing ♪ [ Scatting ] ♪♪ ♪ Come on y'all!
♪ [ Scatting ] ♪ If it ain't got, if it don't got, if it ain't got ♪ Ow!
Come on!
♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -And now the star of the revival of "Cats," welcome Mamie Parris.
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ Midnight ♪ ♪ Turn your face to the moonlight ♪ ♪ Let your memory lead you ♪ ♪ Open up, enter in ♪ ♪ If you find there ♪ ♪ The meaning of what happiness is ♪ ♪ Then a new life ♪ ♪ Will begin ♪ ♪ Memory ♪ ♪ All alone in the moonlight ♪ ♪ I can smile at the old days ♪ ♪ I was beautiful then ♪ ♪ I remember ♪ ♪ The time I knew what happiness was ♪ ♪ Let the memory ♪ ♪ Live again ♪ ♪ Every street lamp ♪ ♪ Seems to beat ♪ ♪ A fatalistic warning ♪ ♪ Someone mutters ♪ ♪ And a street lamp gutters ♪ ♪ And soon it will be morning ♪ ♪ Daylight ♪ ♪ I must wait for the sunrise ♪ ♪ I must think of a new life ♪ ♪ And I mustn't give in ♪ ♪ When the dawn comes ♪ ♪ Tonight will be a memory too ♪ ♪ And a new day ♪ ♪ Will begin ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Burnt out ends of smoky days ♪ ♪ The stale cold smell of morning ♪ ♪ The street lamp dies ♪ ♪ Another night is over ♪ ♪ Another day ♪ ♪ Is dawning ♪ ♪ Touch me ♪ ♪ It's so easy to leave me ♪ ♪ All alone with the memory ♪ ♪ Of my days in the sun ♪ ♪ If you touch me ♪ ♪ You'll understand what happiness is ♪ ♪ Look, a new day ♪ ♪ Has begun ♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause ] -Please welcome Tony and Grammy nominee, Shoshana Bean.
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ -♪ I dreamed a dream in time gone by ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ When hope was high and life worth living ♪ ♪ I dreamed that love would never die ♪ ♪ I dreamed that God would be forgiving ♪ ♪ Then I was young and unafraid ♪ ♪ And dreams were made and used and wasted ♪ ♪ There was no ransom to be paid ♪ ♪ No song unsung, no wine untasted ♪ ♪ But the tigers come at night ♪ ♪ With their voices soft as thunder ♪ ♪ As they tear your hope apart ♪ ♪ As they turn your dream to shame ♪ [ Sustaining note ] [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ He slept a summer by my side ♪ ♪ He filled my days with endless wonder ♪ ♪ He took my childhood in his stride ♪ ♪ But he was gone when autumn came ♪ ♪♪ ♪ And still I dream he'll come to me ♪ ♪ That we will live the years together ♪ ♪ But there are dreams that cannot be ♪ ♪ And there are storms we cannot weather ♪ [ Sustaining note ] ♪ I had a dream my life would be ♪ ♪ So different from this hell I'm living ♪ ♪ So different now from what it seemed ♪ ♪ Now life has killed ♪ ♪ The dream ♪ ♪ I dreamed ♪ ♪ I dreamed ♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -Please welcome Broadway's history making Phantom, Tony Award nominee Norm Lewis.
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ Nighttime sharpens ♪ ♪ Heightens each sensation ♪ ♪ Darkness stirs ♪ ♪ And wakes imagination ♪ ♪ Silently the senses ♪ ♪ Abandon their defenses ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Slowly, gently ♪ ♪ Night unfurls its splendor ♪ ♪ Grasp it, sense it ♪ ♪ Tremulous and tender ♪ ♪ Turn your face away ♪ ♪ From the garish light of day ♪ ♪ Turn your thoughts away ♪ ♪ From cold, unfeeling light ♪ ♪ And listen to ♪ ♪ The music of the night ♪ ♪ Close your eyes ♪ ♪ And surrender to your darkest dreams ♪ ♪ Purge all thoughts ♪ ♪ Of the life you knew before ♪ ♪ Close your eyes ♪ ♪ Let your spirit start to ♪ ♪ Soar ♪ ♪ And you'll live ♪ ♪ As you've never lived before ♪ ♪ Softly, deftly ♪ ♪ Music shall caress you ♪ ♪ Hear it, feel it ♪ ♪ Secretly possess you ♪ ♪ Open up your mind ♪ ♪ Let your fantasies unwind ♪ ♪ In this darkness ♪ ♪ Which you know ♪ ♪ You cannot fight ♪ ♪ The darkness of ♪ ♪ The music of the night ♪ ♪ Let your mind start a journey ♪ ♪ Through this strange new world ♪ ♪ Leave all thoughts ♪ ♪ Of the world you knew before ♪ ♪ Let your soul take you ♪ ♪ Where you long to be ♪ ♪ Only then ♪ ♪ Can you belong to me ♪ ♪ Floating, falling ♪ ♪ Sweet intoxication ♪ ♪ Touch me, trust me ♪ ♪ Savor each sensation ♪ ♪ Let the dream begin ♪ ♪ Let your darker side give in ♪ ♪ To the power of the music that I write ♪ ♪ Help me make ♪ ♪ The music of the... ♪ ♪ Night ♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ -Barnum's the name!
PT Barnum!
And whether you think my brand of humbug's a blessing or a curse, you're still going to buy it.
Why?
Why?
Because every 60 seconds in this world, a delightful phenomenon takes place which absolutely guarantees it!
♪♪ ♪ There is a sucker ♪ ♪ Born every minute ♪ ♪ Each time that second hand sweeps to the top ♪ ♪ Like dandelions, up they pop ♪ ♪ Their ears so big, their eyes so wide ♪ ♪ And though I feed 'em bona fide baloney ♪ ♪ With no truth in it ♪ ♪ Why you can bet I'll find some rube ♪ ♪ To buy my corn ♪ ♪ 'Cause there's a sure-as-shooting ♪ ♪ Sucker born a minute ♪ ♪ And I'm referrin' to the minute you were born ♪ I mean no harm intended sir, I'm terribly sorry, thank you.
♪ Each blessed hour ♪ ♪ Brings sixty of 'em ♪ ♪ Each time the wooden cuckoo shows his face ♪ ♪ Another sucker takes his place ♪ ♪ And plunks his quarter on the line ♪ ♪ To buy my brand of genuine malarkey ♪ ♪ God bless and love 'em!
♪ ♪ But don't feel sad or hoppin' mad ♪ ♪ Or cause a scene ♪ ♪ 'Cause there's a sure-as-shooting ♪ ♪ Sucker born a minute ♪ ♪ But ma'am you mighta been the minute ♪ ♪ In between ♪ ♪ If I allow that right here in my hands ♪ ♪ The smallest living human man ♪ ♪ The sight of that is surely worth a dime ♪ ♪ If I present an educated pooch ♪ ♪ Who's trained to dance the hoochie cooch ♪ ♪ What better way to waste a bit of time?
♪ ♪ If I import at monumental cost ♪ ♪ A lady fair, who's head was lost ♪ ♪ While crossing railroad tracks to pick some zinnias ♪ ♪ Who eats farina through a hose ♪ ♪ And wears pink tights instead of clothes ♪ ♪ If that ain't worth a buck, my name ain't Phineas ♪ ♪ Aw, you say that's hog wash ♪ ♪ Well, who cares?
♪ ♪ You'll buy my hogwash long as there's ♪ ♪ A sucker born every minute ♪ ♪ Each time that second hand sweeps to the top ♪ ♪ Like dandelions, up they pop ♪ ♪ Their ears so big, their eyes so wide ♪ ♪ And though my tale is bona fide baloney ♪ ♪ Just let me spin it ♪ ♪ There ain't no man who can resist me ♪ ♪ Wait and see ♪ ♪ 'Cause there's a sure-as-shooting ♪ ♪ Sucker born a minute ♪ ♪ And friends the biggest one ♪ ♪ Excluding none ♪ ♪ Is -- ♪ [ Laughing ] ♪ Me-e-e!
♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -Four time Tony nominee Raul Esparza.
[ Cheers and applause ] The next stop on our journey is the 1990s.
Broadway transformed yet again with stories of wild fantasies and harsh realities as we examine life at the end of the millennium.
Along the way there was tapping.
[ Laughter ] With this unconventional take on the life and career of the self-proclaimed creator of jazz.
As Jelly Roll Morton, here's the incredible Corbin Bleu.
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ -♪ I'll show you how to play ♪ [ All clamoring ] ♪ Like folks down N'awlins way ♪ ♪ Show you the stylish fingers they has ♪ [ Plays riff, spectators gasp ] ♪ Ooh, what a noise they make ♪ [ Rowdy cheers ] ♪ Stomp till the windows shake ♪ ♪ Start mixin', come on and get your licks in ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh, that's how you jazz!
♪ ♪ Take Buddy Bolden's blues ♪ ♪ Some Creole curlicues ♪ ♪ Add some street-rag razzmatazz ♪ -[ Scatting ] -♪ That tune just struts along ♪ ♪ Just like it owns a song ♪ ♪ Then you hit it with a -- ♪ -[ Scatting ] -♪ That's how you jazz ♪ ♪ And now the tune is goin' ♪ -♪ Oh, baby sing to me ♪ -♪ Gimme some "umph" or it don't mean a thing to me ♪ ♪ Water don't come wetta, pianna men don't come betta ♪ ♪ Whoa-oh-oh, that's how you jazz ♪ -♪ Unh, unh, unh, gonna make some jazz ♪ ♪♪ -That's how you do it!
♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ That's how you jazz!
♪ ♪♪ Come here -- ♪ That's how you jazz!
♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ Let's go!
♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ That's how you jazz!
♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ And now the tune is goin', oh, baby, sing to me ♪ ♪ Give me some umph, or it don't mean a thing to me ♪ ♪ Water don't come wetter, piano men don't come better ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh, that's how you jazz!
♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh, that's how you jazz!
♪ ♪ Oh oh oh, that's how ♪ ♪ You ♪ ♪ Jazz ♪ ♪ Jazz ♪ ♪ Jazz ♪ That's how you jazz!
[ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] In 1996, the theater world was rocked by both the musical brilliance and the sudden passing of Jonathan Larson.
Just a few months later, the Broadway production of "Rent" took home four Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book and Best Score.
To perform a song from that score, please welcome back Solea Pfeiffer, along with an artist who's been using his voice to dismantle systems that perpetuate racism -- president of the Special Tony Award-winning Broadway Advocacy Coalition, Britton Smith.
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -♪ Don't breathe too deep ♪ ♪ Don't think all day ♪ ♪ Dive into work ♪ ♪ Drive the other way ♪ ♪ That drip of hurt ♪ ♪ That pint of shame ♪ ♪ Goes away, just play the game ♪ ♪ We're living in America ♪ ♪ At the end of the millennium ♪ ♪ We're living in America ♪ ♪ Leave your conscience at the door ♪ ♪ We're living in America ♪ ♪ At the end of the millennium ♪ ♪♪ ♪ You're what you own ♪ -♪ The filmmaker cannot see ♪ -♪ And the songwriter cannot hear ♪ -♪ Yet, I see Mimi everywhere ♪ -♪ Angel's voice is in my ear ♪ -♪ Just tighten those shoulders ♪ -♪ Just clench your jaw till you frown ♪ -♪ Just don't let go ♪ -♪ Or you may drown ♪ ♪ We're living in America ♪ ♪ At the end of the millennium ♪ ♪ We're living in America ♪ ♪ Where it's like the Twilight Zone ♪ ♪ When you're living in America ♪ ♪ At the end of the millennium ♪ ♪♪ ♪ You're what you own ♪ ♪ Dying in America ♪ ♪ At the end of the millennium ♪ ♪ We're dying in America ♪ ♪ To come into our own ♪ ♪ When you're dying in America ♪ ♪ At the end of the millennium ♪ ♪♪ ♪ You're not alone ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -From the original production of "Kiss of the Spider Woman," Tony Award nominee Vanessa Williams.
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ -♪ Sooner or later, you're certain to meet ♪ ♪ In the bedroom, the parlor, or even the street ♪ ♪ There's no place on Earth you're likely to miss ♪ ♪ Her kiss ♪ ♪ Sooner or later ♪ ♪ In sunlight or gloom ♪ ♪ When the red candles flicker ♪ ♪ She'll walk in the room ♪ ♪ And the curtains will shake ♪ ♪ And the fire will hiss ♪ ♪ Here comes her kiss ♪ ♪ And the moon grows dimmer ♪ ♪ At the tide's low ebb ♪ ♪ And her black beads shimmer ♪ ♪ And you're aching to move, but you're caught in the web ♪ ♪ Of the spider woman ♪ ♪ With her velvet cape ♪ ♪ You can scream ♪ ♪ But you cannot escape ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Sooner or later, your love will arrive ♪ ♪ And she touches your heart ♪ ♪ You're alert and alive ♪ ♪ But there's only one pin ♪ ♪ That can puncture such bliss ♪ ♪ Her kiss ♪ ♪ Sooner or later, you bathe in success ♪ ♪ And your minions salute ♪ ♪ They say nothing but "yes" ♪ ♪ But your power is empty ♪ ♪ It fades like the mist ♪ ♪ Once you've been kissed ♪ ♪ And the moon grows dimmer ♪ ♪ At the tide's low ebb ♪ ♪ And your breath comes faster ♪ ♪ And you're aching to move, but you're caught in the web ♪ ♪ Of the spider woman ♪ ♪ With her velvet cape ♪ ♪ You can run ♪ ♪ You can scream ♪ ♪ You can hide ♪ ♪ But you cannot ♪ ♪ Esc-a-a-ape ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -And now Tony Award winner and original star of "Ragtime," Brian Stokes Mitchell.
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ -♪ Go out and tell our story ♪ ♪ Let it echo far and wide ♪ ♪ Make them hear you ♪ ♪ Make them hear y-o-ou ♪ ♪ How justice was our battle ♪ ♪ And how justice was denied ♪ ♪ Make them hear you ♪ ♪ Make them hear y-o-ou ♪ ♪ And say to those who blame us ♪ ♪ For the way we chose to fight ♪ ♪ That sometimes there are battles ♪ ♪ That are more than black or white ♪ ♪ And I could not put down my sword ♪ ♪ When justice was my right ♪ ♪ Make them hear you ♪ ♪ Go out and tell our story ♪ ♪ To your daughters and your sons ♪ ♪ Make them hear you ♪ ♪ Make them hear y-o-ou ♪ ♪ And tell them in our struggle ♪ ♪ We were not the only ones ♪ ♪ Make them hear you ♪ ♪ Make them hear y-o-ou ♪ ♪ Your sword can be a sermon ♪ ♪ Or the power of the pen ♪ ♪ Teach every child to raise his voice ♪ ♪ And then, my brothers, then ♪ ♪ Will justice be demanded by 10 million righteous men ♪ ♪ Make them hear you ♪ ♪ When they hear you ♪ ♪ I'll be near you ♪ ♪ Ag-a-a-ain ♪ ♪ Ag-a-a-ain ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] -Since the start of the new millennium, more than 300 musicals have opened on Broadway.
[ Cheers and applause ] More than 200 of them originals, nearly seven of them have recouped.
[ Laughter ] Let's be honest -- to present a song from each production would probably take us to our 75th anniversary.
So instead, a friend of mine is going to do it in three minutes.
Not only has he seen every musical in the last two decades, he was nominated for his leading performances in both "Chaplain" and "Mrs.
Doubtfire."
Please welcome the ultimate theater fan Rob McClure.
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ [ Laughter ] -♪ Twenty years of musicals ♪ ♪ Some famous, some forgotten ♪ ♪ Some beautiful, some next to normal ♪ ♪ Others, something rotten ♪ [ Laughter, scattered cheers ] ♪ Spelling bees and mermaids ♪ ♪ Natasha, oh, Pierre ♪ ♪ Tina, M.J., Donna Summer ♪ ♪ King Kong, Shrek, and Cher ♪ [ Gasps ] ♪ Two decades to remember ♪ ♪ And I do ♪ ♪ For I was there ♪ ♪♪ Whoa-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho!
Come on.
♪ It was a wild party in the Heights ♪ ♪ With the Jersey Boys ♪ ♪ Those dirty rotten scoundrels ♪ ♪ Made a beautiful noise ♪ ♪ There were mean girls singin' loud enough to wake the dead ♪ ♪ I turned to Mary Poppins ♪ ♪ And this is what she said ♪ ♪ Put your kinky boots on and get on your feet ♪ ♪ Tell dear Evan Hansen it's time for dirty dancin' ♪ ♪ 'Cause you can't stop the beat ♪ ♪♪ Hey!
♪ After midnight, I escaped to Margaritaville ♪ ♪ Where me and bad Cinderella ♪ ♪ Popped a jagged little pill ♪ ♪ We were flying over sunset ♪ ♪ Nothing was taboo ♪ ♪ She said, come fly away with me ♪ ♪ To Avenue Q ♪ ♪ I said, bring it on!
♪ ♪ Let's chitty chitty bang bang ♪ ♪ We were feelin' good vibrations ♪ ♪ Like 101 dalmatians ♪ ♪ Until that doorbell rang ♪ [ Doorbell rings ] ♪ Hello ♪ ♪ My name is Elder Rob ♪ ♪ And I would like to share with you ♪ ♪ The most amazing book ♪ ♪ The book of Mor-r-r... ♪ ♪ In walked Dracula ♪ ♪ With young Frankenstein ♪ ♪ He was all shook up ♪ ♪ Drinkin' color purple wine ♪ ♪ He hooked up with a waitress ♪ ♪ But by dawn, she had gone ♪ ♪ On a honeymoon in Vegas ♪ ♪ With...Hamilton ♪ ♪ At the Moulin Rouge ♪ ♪ We were all gettin' down ♪ ♪ I started playing footsie ♪ ♪ With that pretty woman Tootsie ♪ ♪ It got as hot as Hadestown ♪ ♪ Mamma Mia, here I go again ♪ ♪♪ ♪ SpongeBob SquarePants taught me how to Riverdance ♪ ♪ Rocky cut loose ♪ ♪ In a dogfight with Beetlejuice ♪ ♪ Swingin' Tarzan ♪ ♪ Got it on with Spider-Man ♪ ♪ It was more than the prom for us ♪ ♪ This party was scandalous ♪ ♪ There were bullets over Broadway ♪ ♪ There was Bonnie and Clyde ♪ ♪ Aladdin got me high ♪ ♪ On his magic carpet ride ♪ ♪ We were singin' "We will rock you" ♪ ♪ In high fidelity ♪ ♪ Then we all got wicked with the Addams family ♪ [ "The Addams Family" theme plays, fingers snap ] ♪ I remember it all like it was yesterday ♪ ♪ Twenty-some years on old Broadway ♪ ♪ But this party isn't over ♪ [ Breathing heavily ] [ Laughter, cheers, applause ] Oh, my God, thank you so much.
-You are so welcome.
You're doing really great.
-There's a lot of shows.
-I know, I know.
You're doing -- You're doing great.
You got it.
-Is that Tony-winning water?
-Y-e-es.
-I knew I never tasted it before.
Thanks so much.
[ Laughter ] Thank you so much.
[ Breathing heavily ] ♪ I'm inviting everyone ♪ ♪ So meet me in the lobby ♪ ♪♪ ♪ This party's just begun ♪ ♪ This party's just begun ♪ ♪ This party's just beg-u-u-un ♪ ♪ U-u-u-u-n ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -From the 15th anniversary company of "Wicked," please welcome Jessica Vosk.
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ -♪ Something has changed within me ♪ ♪ Something is not the same ♪ ♪ I'm through with playing by the rules ♪ ♪ Of someone else's game ♪ ♪ Too late for second-guessing ♪ ♪ Too late to go back to sleep ♪ ♪ It's time to trust my instincts ♪ ♪ Close my eyes ♪ ♪ And leap ♪ ♪ It's time to try defying gravity ♪ ♪ I think I'll try defying gravity ♪ ♪ And you can't pull me down ♪ ♪♪ ♪ I'm through accepting limits ♪ ♪ 'Cause someone says they're so ♪ ♪ Some things I cannot change ♪ ♪ But till I try, I'll never know ♪ ♪ Too long I've been afraid of ♪ ♪ Losing love, I guess I've lost ♪ ♪ Well, if that's love ♪ ♪ It comes at much too high a cost ♪ ♪ I'd sooner buy defying gravity ♪ ♪ Kiss me goodbye, I'm defying gravity ♪ ♪ And you can't pull me down ♪ ♪♪ ♪ So, if you care to find me ♪ ♪ Look to the western sky ♪ ♪ As someone told me lately ♪ ♪ "Everyone deserves the chance to fly" ♪ ♪ And if I'm flying solo ♪ ♪ At least I'm flying free ♪ ♪ To those who'd ground me ♪ ♪ Take a message back from me ♪ ♪ Tell them how I am defying gravity ♪ ♪ I'm flying high defying gravity ♪ ♪ And soon I'll match them in renown ♪ ♪ And nobody in all of Oz ♪ ♪ No wizard that there is or was ♪ ♪ Is ever gonna bring me ♪ ♪ D-o-o-o-own ♪ [ Gong crashes ] ♪ Bring me down ♪ ♪ Ah, ah ah ah ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] ♪♪ -♪ My story is much too sad to be told ♪ ♪ But practically everything ♪ ♪ Leaves me totally cold ♪ ♪♪ ♪ The only exception I know is the case ♪ ♪ When I'm out on a quiet spree ♪ ♪ Fighting vainly the old ennui ♪ ♪ And I suddenly turn and see ♪ ♪ Everything today is thoroughly modern ♪ -♪ Check your personality ♪ -♪ Everything today makes yesterday slow ♪ -♪ Better face reality ♪ ♪ Goodbye, good goodie girl ♪ ♪ I'm changing and how ♪ ♪ So beat the drums 'cause here comes ♪♪ ♪ Jimmy, oh, Jimmy ♪ ♪ Silly boy ♪♪ ♪ Burn the bridge ♪ ♪ Bet the store ♪ ♪ Baby's comin' home no more ♪ ♪ Not for the life of me ♪ ♪ Clap your hands ♪ [ Clapping ] ♪ Just because ♪ ♪ I was headed for hell ♪ -♪ I was headed for ♪ -♪ Yes, I was headed for hell ♪ ♪ But when I got to Satan's door ♪ ♪ I heard you blowin' on your horn once more ♪ ♪ So I said, yodellaydee, yodellaydee, yodellaydee ♪ ♪ Yodellaydee, yodellaydee, yodellaydee, yodellaydee ♪ ♪ Yodellaydee, yodel lay-ay-ee-dee ♪ ♪ Yodel lay-ee-dee, lay-ee-dee ♪ ♪ Lay-ee-dee, lay-ee-dee ♪ ♪ Yodellaydee, yodellaydee, yodellaydee, yodellaydee ♪ ♪ Yodel-dee!
♪♪ ♪ No canary in a cage for me ♪ ♪ This canary's ready to fly free ♪♪ ♪ I've always been a morning person ♪ ♪ A morning girl ♪ ♪ Hurray!
♪ ♪ Roll, roll in ze hay♪ ♪ Roll all your troubles away ♪ ♪ When spirits are saggin, just jump in a wagon and ♪♪ ♪ Times have changed ♪ ♪♪ ♪ I don't wanna change keys no more ♪ -♪ She don't wanna change keys ♪ -♪ I don't wanna striptease no more ♪ -♪ She don't wanna striptease ♪ -♪ I don't wanna say "cheese" no more ♪ -♪ Please no, ha!
♪ -♪ I don't care if you scoff ♪ -♪ We don't like to scoff ♪ -♪ I don't wanna be cheered no more ♪ ♪ Praised no more ♪ ♪ Grabbed no more ♪ ♪ Touched no more ♪ Let's bring her home!
♪ And though I'm not a great romancer ♪ ♪ I know that I'm bound to answer when you propose ♪ ♪ Anything goes ♪ -♪ Anything goes ♪ -♪ Anything ♪ -♪ Anything g-o-o-oes ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Laydee yodellaydee yodellaydee yodel-loo ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] [ Laughs ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] -Please welcome the Tony Award-nominated composer and star of "Waitress," Grammy Award winner Sara Bareilles.
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ -♪ It's not simple to say ♪ ♪ Most days ♪ ♪ I don't recognize me ♪ ♪ These shoes and this apron ♪ ♪ That place and its patrons ♪ ♪ Have taken more than I gave them ♪ ♪ It's not easy to know ♪ ♪ I'm not anything ♪ ♪ Like I used to be ♪ ♪ Although it's true ♪ ♪ I was never attention's sweet center ♪ ♪ I still remember that girl ♪ ♪ She's imperfect, but she tries ♪ ♪ She is good, but she lies ♪ ♪ She is hard on herself ♪ ♪ She is broken and won't ask for help ♪ ♪ She is messy, but she's kind ♪ ♪ She is lonely most of the time ♪ ♪ She is all of this mixed up ♪ ♪ And baked in a beautiful pie ♪ ♪ She is gone ♪ ♪ But she used to be mine ♪ ♪ It's not what I asked for ♪ ♪ Sometimes life ♪ ♪ Just slips in through a back door ♪ ♪ And carves out a person ♪ ♪ Makes you believe it's all true ♪ ♪ And now I've got you ♪ ♪ And you're not what I asked for ♪ ♪ If I'm honest, I know I would give it all back ♪ ♪ For a chance to start over ♪ ♪ Rewrite an ending or two ♪ ♪ For the girl that I knew ♪ ♪ Who'll be reckless just enough ♪ ♪ Gets hurt ♪ ♪ But who learns how to toughen up ♪ ♪ When she's bruised ♪ ♪ And gets used by a man who can't love ♪ ♪ And then she'll get stuck and be scared ♪ ♪ Of the life that's inside her ♪ ♪ Growing stronger each day ♪ ♪ Till it finally reminds her ♪ ♪ To fight just a little ♪ ♪ To bring back the fire in her eyes ♪ ♪ That's been gone ♪ ♪ But used to be m-i-i-ine ♪ ♪ But used to be m-i-i-ine ♪ ♪ Used to be mine ♪ ♪♪ -♪ She is messy ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ But she's kind ♪ -♪ She is lonely ♪ ♪ Most of the time ♪ -♪ She is all of this mixed up ♪ ♪ And baked in a beautiful pie ♪ ♪ She is gone ♪ ♪ But she used to be ♪ ♪ M-i-i-ine ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -Ladies and gentlemen, my friend, Tony Award-winning Jessie Mueller.
[ Cheers and applause ] -Sara Bareilles, everybody!
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ Tonight, you're mine ♪ ♪ Completely ♪ ♪ You give your love ♪ ♪ So sweetly ♪ ♪ Tonight, the light ♪ ♪ Of love is in your eyes ♪ ♪ But will you love me tomorrow?
♪ ♪♪ ♪ Is this a lasting treasure ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Or just a moment's pleasure?
♪ ♪ Can I believe ♪ ♪ The magic of your sighs ♪ ♪ Will you still love me tomorrow?
♪ ♪♪ ♪ Tonight with words unspoken ♪ ♪ You say that I'm the only one ♪ ♪♪ ♪ But will my heart be broken ♪ ♪ When the night ♪ ♪ Meets the morning s-u-u-un ♪ ♪♪ ♪ I'd like to know that your love ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Is love I can be sure of ♪ ♪ So tell me now ♪ ♪ And I won't ask again ♪ ♪ Will you still love me tomorrow?
♪ ♪ Oh, oh ♪ ♪ Will you still love me ♪ ♪ Tomorrow ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -We're going to wrap up our celebration by coming full circle, with a tribute to the single most influential composer of the last 50 years -- Stephen Sondheim.
[ Cheers and applause ] In 1974, he made his acting debut on "Great Performances" in the role of piano player Maxie Schwartz in our presentation of "June Moon."
Since then, he gifted us with more than a dozen new productions and as many revivals of his work.
"Company" is where our evening began.
It's a show that held a very special place in his heart.
-One of the most startling and thrilling things I ever saw in a museum was, there was a Mondrian exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art.
And in his early days, like everybody else, he was imitating others and that sort of thing.
You're seeing he's drawing representative things.
And then, we turned the corner, and there was a picture of a painting of a cow, and a second painting of the cow, and it started to break apart, and a third painting of the cow, and by the time of the fifth painting, it was almost "Broadway Boogie Woogie."
He had found his voice.
-Was there a score where you found your cow?
-"Company's" the first full-blown score I wrote that really -- that's me and nobody else.
-♪ Somebody hold me too close ♪ ♪ Somebody hurt me too deep ♪ ♪ Somebody sit in my chair ♪ ♪ And ruin my sleep ♪ ♪ And make me aware of being alive ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Being alive ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Somebody need me too much ♪ ♪ Somebody know me too well ♪ ♪ Somebody pull me up short ♪ ♪ And put me through hell ♪ ♪ And give me support ♪ ♪ For being alive ♪ ♪ Make me alive ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Make me alive ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Make me confused ♪ ♪ Mock me with praise ♪ ♪ Let me be used ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Vary my days ♪ ♪♪ ♪ But alone ♪ ♪ Is alone ♪ ♪ Not al-i-i-ive ♪ ♪ Somebody crowd me with love ♪ ♪ Somebody force me to care ♪ ♪ Somebody make me come through ♪ ♪ I'll always be there ♪ ♪ As frightened as you ♪ ♪ To help us survive ♪ ♪ Being alive ♪ ♪ Being al-i-i-ive ♪ ♪ Being ♪ ♪ Al-i-i-ive ♪ ♪ Al-i-i-ive ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Thank you!
[ Cheers and applause continue ] Thank you.
[ Laughs ] It has been an incredible night.
Thank you to all of our friends who have joined us to celebrate Broadway's best.
And in truth, they are Broadway's best.
[ Cheers and applause ] And thank you.
Thanks to all of you watching at home for inviting "Great Performances" into your homes to present musicals, plays, operas, ballets, and concerts from around the world.
Here is to the next 50 years.
[ Cheers and applause ] Good night!
♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ -To find out more about this and other "Great Performances" programs visit pbs.org/greatperformances, find us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.
♪♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪