I like Glenn Close in Sunset--from the recording and clips, etc anyway--but prefer on CD Patti in the role, and thought (at least as a 15 year old kid) that Diahann Carroll both acted and sang the role best when I saw the Canadian production in Vancouver--though that could partly be my memories because I don't like her quite as much on the Canadian cast album, although still vocally much more than Close.
But to give her Losing My Mind of all songs and to be sung for Barbara who owns that song in concert (although I still prefer Dorothy Collins), seemed kinda embarrassing. She hit the notes fine, but I felt her phrasing and sense of rhythm was completely off in much of the song.
As I said elsewhere, I also loved the tribute although Rob Ashford's jazzy male dancers completely seemed wrong to me (but I seem to be the only one I've seen say that, so maybe I'm alone there). I guess he's truly stuck in his 60s style choreography from the last few shows he's done -- but I can't quit thinking they were a homage to the male dancers in Ann Margaret's camp-tastic take on Isn't It Kinda Fun in the State Fair remake (
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9Slu3DiNC4 )
What performances were cut for the broadcast? I know people mentioned an opera star whose name I don't know sang Glitter and Be Gay (which is too bad it was cut--I was surprised not to hear it), and Patti apparently started with Loving You which went into the song she performed, was anything else? I wish I had watched the live streaming broadcast now.
Like others I felt Barbara was moved--often those being honoured don't show all that much reaction until the end, and I know if I was ever in that position (which I don't think will happen any time soon), I'm not one to cry or show too much emotion.
I liked Meryl's tribute but it's always hard with the actors--I wish they had credited more of the film clips because, I'm ashamed to say, a couple of them I didn't recognize. Also, dumb question, but I assume Anne's song was a music hall number--or does it have an actual connection to something Meryl has done or been in? (I guess it would have been too much to have her break out into ABBA...)