She was good. The song just didn't work out of context. The song choice was awful (its simply rapturous in the context of the show but pulled out, its not good at all). Pinkins sounded good and did what she could with the song.
I was pretty much confused when I first watched her performance on the Tonys. Kinda turned me off from seeing Caroline, or Change. Thanks to a friend of mine, I listened to the cast recording and she was spectacular.
I think there might be clips of her performance somewhere on the net...
"The cynicism you refer to, I acquired the day I discovered I was different from little boys!~All About Eve
For the many of us who didn't get to see the show until after the Tonys, it made the song rather anti-climactic in context. I really wish I hadn't seen it already - took away most of the power that it should have had in the show.
Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson
All the performances that year were horrible, except Avenue Q. Menzel was in bad voice too, and Murphy was just off altogether.
I'm glad I saw the show before that awful Tony performance. My boyfriend, who hadn't seen the show, was so confused by that number and questioned why the show was even nominated.
I think they should have chosen the opening of the show with some cuts to at least show off a more accessible part of the show that wouldnt have brought up so many questions to those at home
Plus it would have shown off the rest of such an amazing cast
I think some people consider Caroline or Change Pinkins' star vehicle, and while she was suberb, she wouldn't have been as suberb without such an amazing cast and creative team.
The radio is one of the best parts, along with the gellmans and I love dotty too. Emmie DEFINITELY should have also had something, but hey anika got a tony so she got her recognition. I'm so glad that things went right in THAT department.
I saw the performance on the Tony Awards and was aware that she wasn't in the best of vocal health (as I have the cast recording and she is phenomenal on it, in my opinion), but I still love her singing it and love the song. I think the song worked fine out of context, they didn't make MAJOR cuts, they just cut the part of "16 feet below sea level.." up until "..said to that little boy", regardless of said cuts I still would like to enjoy the performance. I kind of like how it might not work out of context, just lends to the fact that it's a very well constructed musical where every song has a purpose in moving the story along. I mean Rose's Turn doesn't work perfectly out of context either, but that's the most noticeable number, which I think Lot's Wife is as well. Anyway, I love how it segues from this angry, frustrated woman to this reserved, contemplative Caroline where she starts singing the "murder me God.."...powerful stuff. Still, anyone know of where I can find it online perhaps?
I was really excited to see "Caroline, or Change" before the Tony's. I then watched the Tony's and remember saying, "Hmm, she must be ill, because that wasn't the greatest performance, vocally." Her acting, I thought, was still great. I think they went with "Lots Wife" because they really thought that Tonya would win the Tony. I don't remember Idina Menzel being in poor voice. I hadn't seen much on "Wicked" before then, I heard of it and read the book years prior, but didn't see much of the performances until that night. I remember being very impressed.
I love performers and sick or well , I love the good ones...but Tonya just had that extra passion in her performance...just on the edge of going overboard...barely in control of that anger and frustration...
...you get the feeling I loved that performance?
edit: Few things in theatre make me feel as passionate as Chita Rivera and Caroline, Or Change. (and Mr. Sondheim)
She also was on Regis singing the same song she sang on the Tonys and her voice was just like it was on the CD. She sounded great. It was also fun to see her and Rippa together since they are both "All My Children" alumnis.