What performance(s) do you wish there were archive/bootleg footage of that you’ve never been able to find? — Page 3

I wish there was footage of the first B'way show I ever attended -- the '92 revival of Guys and Dolls. I remember it as so magical.

I actually echo the OP in wanting to see Bebe in Spider Woman. I've been so curious and it's crazy that nothing has been unearthed.



On a bootleg note, has anyone heard the backer's audition audio of Sweeney that posted online a couple of days ago, with Stephen and Hal? It's thrilling.

alex814 said: "To my knowledge, there’s no video footage of Hair’s original Broadway Tun but allegedly there are “archival recordings” floating around that haven’t been digitized including a performance of Diane Keaton as Sheila. I would give anything to hear that.

Not sure if these exist but I wish there was video of Haven Burton or Kristen Lee Kelly as Maureen in Rent, Ava Gaudet or Moeisha McGill as Mimi. Antonique Smith as the Seasons of Love soloist.

There’s a soundboard recording of “Dude” closing night that I wish I could hear but alas no luck finding it."



Back in my high school, majorly obsessed days of Rent, I definitely heard audio of Ava as Mimi. I feel like back in the early 2000’s there was audio for just about every performance of Rent. I know I’ve definitely at least heard most of the ones you mention (Haven and KLK as Maureen and Ava as Mimi and Antonique as the SOL soloist). I loved when belters would fill in as the soloist because instead of the high C they would just belt a super long “love” with a nice riff at the end and I enjoyed the change. Karmine Alers had a beautiful solo with that version, as I recall.

The Fantasticks. I would have loved to have seen the original staging of The Fantasticks at the Sullivan Street Playhouse or the 2006 revival cast. Both times I've been to New York the original and revival productions had closed.

thejcm said: "Back in my high school, majorly obsesseddays of Rent, I definitely heard audio of Ava as Mimi. I feel like back in the early 2000’s there was audio for just about every performance of Rent. I know I’ve definitely at least heard mostof the ones you mention (Haven and KLK as Maureen and Ava as Mimi and Antonique as the SOL soloist).I loved when belters would fill in as the soloist because instead of the high C they would just belt a super long “love” with a nice riff at the end and I enjoyedthe change. Karmine Alers had a beautiful solo with that version, as I recall."

I was still in high school when they announced Rent was closing and truly the fans were producing bootleg audio almost on a daily basis and those would show up on YouTube. Not much of those uploads have survived copyright strikes through the years. People with vast Rent collections were more active traders back then. I’m having a hard time finding anyone now with these.

Theres a low quality audio of Karmine from the last Rent Equity tour as the SOL soloist and she does precisely that. It was surprisingly very well executed! I hope she’s doing well these days.

Mister Matt said: "The entire London production of Lord of the Rings. The most spectacular production of a musical I've ever seen."

Lord of the Rings is a good choice. I wish I could have seen that one.

alex814 said: "To my knowledge, there’s no video footage of Hair’s original Broadway Tun but allegedly there are “archival recordings” floating around that haven’t been digitized including a performance of Diane Keaton as Sheila. I would give anything to hear that.

Not sure if these exist but I wish there was video of Haven Burton or Kristen Lee Kelly as Maureen in Rent, Ava Gaudet or Moeisha McGill as Mimi. Antonique Smith as the Seasons of Love soloist.

There’s a soundboard recording of “Dude” closing night that I wish I could hear but alas no luck finding it."

There was a scene from Hair performed at the 1969 Tony Awards. Hopefully it still exists.

Immediately following, Zero Mostel came onstage and quipped " That scene from Hair just now looked just like my son's bedroom."

CT2NYC said: "magictodo123 said: "None because bootlegs are disrespectful to the actors, and pretty much prove you don’t care about respecting them. I said what I said. Don’t @ me."

I think you missed the part of the question that says "archival footage," which is perfectly legal. Also, as an example, Betty Buckley has bootlegson her YouTube page, so, clearly, not all actors feel disrespected by them. In fact, I'm sure that many of them are very happy that their performances have been recordedfor posterity."

Ah. You're right about the archival footage. In that case, it would be really cool to see A Chorus Line where it originated, off-Broadway at The Public Theater. Same with Hamilton.
Not all may feel disrespected but that doesn't change the fact that it is, and plenty of actors have voiced their displeasure (Lin-Manuel Miranda, Sara Bareilles, Rob McClure, may more).

ukpuppetboy said: "Jarethan said: "My favorite theatermemory ever. I still remember he first time I saw it: 6/25/1966, a HELL of a long time ago. I was 15. I saw her in it 3 more times in the original production and 4 times in the I’ll-dated revival in 1981 (or so)."

WOW - That is some theater history right there; I’m suitably jealous!I’ve always had a soft spot for the Dame but whenever I see anything from that era I’m blown away. Perhaps if I can add that original “Anyone Can Whistle” to your list of classic Lansbury roles that every generation should be able to enjoy?!"

Sounds good, I read many years ago that she was only considered for the role because of her performance in that, which — based on the OCR was a very strong ‘Broadway Star’ performance.

Mister Matt said: "Lord of the Rings is a good choice. I wish I could have seen that one.

It was astonishing and should have takenthe Foxwoods when Young Frankenstein closed."

Here’s the 2006 B-roll from Toronto.

Lord of the Rings, Toronto 2006 - EPK / B-roll

raddersons said: "A good recording of that Spider-Man V.1 number where the spiders rob a bunch of shoe stores and tap dance.

—I like camp, alright?"

Yes, I want a recording of "Deeply Furious" as well!