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Nobody is satisfied with just saying "that was a bad performance." People always try to justify it with one thing or another."
You're missing half the picture because, yes, nobody is satisfied with just saying it was a bad performance: Many of the critics immediately follow up with a "she's terrible" or "she can't sing" or whatnot. It's only natural the other side tries to balance that out, especially anyone who understands a Broadway schedule. (Twitter is a truly horrible place, though.)
Since Menzel raised the key for the sake of a one-shot film studio recording, she can lower the key and shouldn't be criticized for that, but that also does happen. I think part of the reasoning for lowering in CMA was to help out her duet partner, Nettles, but that's just my guess. Incidentally, that's been my favorite performance of LIG anywhere, but I really like duets.
IF/THEN is definitely one of the better scores written for her range (thank you, Kitt). Everyone involved imagined LIG as a one-off, but now she's going to have to perform it a hundred times next year and for the rest of her life. I hope she lowers the key for her tour, certainly. The vast majority of people won't even notice the half step.
#BoycottTrumplikePattiMurin