Showtunes - in particular, the musical Chess

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I love Musical Theatre very much. I would talk on end about it if I hadn't been teased mercilessly about it until I learned that no one shares my interest quite as specifically and intensely as I do.

I even went to college for musical theatre and the people in my program would talk about theatre, but they still weren't as intensely interested as I was. But hey, maybe someone on here is.

My current show I'm fixating on is Chess. Music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, formerly of ABBA, and lyrics by Tim Rice.

But more specifically I'm focusing on one song, sung by one character. The song is Nobody's Side, and it's sung by the character Florence Vassey.

I am trying to decide who did the better job as Florence: Elaine Paige, who originated the role in London, or Judy Kuhn, who originated the role on Broadway.

This is Elaine Paige: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x6506fRq2g
and this is Judy Kuhn: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8x_z6sv_tqU

I love how Elaine Paige delivers the line "Why'd you have to do this to me?" But I can't find a youtube clip of the whole line.

So who is better? I can't decide. I like them both for separate reasons. Elaine Paige for her emotion, and Judy Kuhn for her crystal clear voice.

Does anyone want to get this specific and discuss with me?

Thanks for the links, Dots.

Judy Kuhn, for clarity.

I'd like to hear why.

Sure.

This is the 1st time I have heard the song. I listened to the page version 1st and had a hard time understanding all the lyrics; also the dynamic balance of her voice and the orchestra made her part hard for me to hear/follow. The Kuhn version was clear in comparison; as if a lot of static had been banished auditorally. Also the backup singers in the Broadway version were more crisp.

That's interesting, when I listen to the videoclips I do tend to like Kuhn's version better. But when I listen to the official cast recordings I like Paige's version. The orchestrations are slightly different in the studio recordings, and I wish I could hear the Kuhn orchestra with Paige's voice.

I like the backup singers in the Idina Menzel version, but I didn't include it because I don't actually really like Menzel's Florence. But it's here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsQIUJQk ... re=related

OK, now I like Menzel. I think her performance has more inflection.

But I don't know the show, so for me it's just the performance of the song; out of the context of the actresses embodyment of the character.

One Night in Bangkok is such an 80's song.

I wish I could play the original recordings for you, MountainLaurel. If the Paige and Kuhn versions were clearer, you might have a different opinion.