Could I Leave You - Donna Murphy (Sondheim's 80th)

Does anyone else come back to this performance regularly?

The fact that she starts the song still in her chair…diva!

That “GUESS” always makes me start levitating.

Best version of the sing ever, she captures the sneer in her voice and the acid. Patti Lupone's face says it all.

Can we talk about how Donna totally blacks OUT when she sings this? That stumble at the end when she's kind of snapping out of it. ACTING. She is truly one of the greats.

My favorite thing about this entire production is the clear respect and reverence all of these women have for each other. The way they watch and get so lost in each other's performances is so true and heartfelt. They recognize that everyone of them is at the top of their game and at one point or another was a muse for the great Sondheim. It's inspiring to see them all truly be so invested and supportive of each other during their solo performances.

What I love about this performance is how controlled Murphy is throughout. You can feel the anger, betrayal, and acid lurking just behind her words as she masks what she’s feeling with sarcasm and jokes...and then, her emotions reach a horrifying boiling point on “WAIT A GODDAMN MINUTE!” Note how quickly the laughter stops at that moment—everyone’s shocked as the mask falls with a thud, and we see just how much pain this woman is in. Murphy is a true pro—moving from emotion to emotion with perfect control, and taking the whole audience along for the ride. Bravo to a comic and Broadway genius! :D

Patti Lupone's face while watching this is priceless. She is totally swept up. Kudos Donna!

Patti is so into the performance that she's mirroring emotion, leave her be folks! I do the exact same thing when I'm really into someone's performance.

Perfect interpretation! That's why people say that Sondheim's songs were always for actors who can sing and not singers who can act

I love her severely sarcastic interpretation of this song.

She owns the stage. This song needs attitude, emotion, and charisma. Donna Murphy delivers it all. 🔥🔥🔥

Patti is a bigger fangirl then all of us. It is known ... also am i the only who is watching Elaine giggle at the beginning

Didn't realize this woman played mother gothel until I heard her voice! Shes wickedly talented!

I've watched this a bunch of times and have only recently noticed at 0:59 how you can see Elaine Stritch having such a fabulous time watching Donna sing... She cracks this huge smile after "How could I survive?" as though it's the first time she's ever heard that line and it's the funniest thing ever. <3

Honestly, has anyone ever sung that song better? Every inflection is amazing.

I LOVE this performance. Yes, there's the sarcasm, the rage at the ossification of the relationship. But also tenderness, regret, the knowledge that love is still there - after all that time - and that is why she can't leave. The way she shapes this vocally and physically is off the charts. As others have pointed out - there's a complete identification with the character, which is riveting and moving.

This is one of the best performances that we have on video. It is a true theatre treasure by one of the greatest actors of our time. It is so specific and detailed, so organic, and truthful. A sensational performance of a masterpiece of a song 🤍

Elaine excitedly tapping her heels at the end because she didn't have the strength to clap was so adorable

Even her hairograhpy was on point 🙌🏽😭