Am I the only one still watching this performance on a daily basis? Like, this is still a huge part of my daily entertainment with multiple watches a day.

she DID THE THING.

she's doing all of that while making it feel effortless. ugh I love her so much

hitting every note while no-stoping dancing is amazing

I legit got emotional when they were showing the speeches, someday I’ll be there if I work hard for it. And the standing ovation was SOO well deserved, this is literally one of the best performances I’ve seen in my life, I got emotional for her, and for the someday that starts today and now.

omg LMM at the end standing up and clapping 😭 he was so proud of her his face omg I love him

2:49 This moment right here - The piano part of "Defying Gravity" under "You Can't Stop The Beat" - might be my absolute favorite part of the entire mashup.

Her reaction to the standing ovation is just the best.

Here are all the references I could spot: 1:33: "Women in the sequel! Work!" is a lyric in 'The Schuyler Sisters' from Hamilton. 1:38: The lyrics are from 'Wilkommen' from Cabaret 1:38: The music is from 'All That Jazz' from Chicago 1:50: Music is the opening of 'Buenos Aires' from Evita 1:54: Lyrics for 'A Lot of Livin' To Do' from Bye Bye Birdie 2:00: Music is 'Ease on Down the Road' from The Wiz 2:02: Lyrics of 'Buenos Aires' from Evita 2:06: Lyrics of 'Friend Like Me' from Aladdin 2:09: Lyrics of 'Magic to Do' from Pippin 2:13: Lyrics of 'I Can't Do It Alone' from Chicago 2:16: 'The Lonely Goatherd' from The Sound of Music 2:20: Nods to Hamilton, including Lin-Manuel Miranda cameo at 2:28. 2:23: Lyrics set to music from Rent (?) 2:37: Opening instrumental to 'Dancing Queen' from Mamma Mia 2:38: Lyrics to 'I Got Rhythm', a George Gershwin tune most famous in An American in Paris 2:45: Music (and Choreography) evoke 'Defying Gravity' from Wicked 2:46: Lyrics are from 'You Can't Stop the Beat' from Hairspray 2:57: Clicking evokes the famous choreography/music from West Side Story, specifically 'Cool'. 2:59: Couple of notes from 'Tradition' from Fiddler on the Roof (woodwind instrument, then violin at 3:05) 3:14: Opening notes from Wicked's 'Defying Gravity' (Again) 3:15: Instrumental sampled from the Overture from Cats 3:26: Lyrics from 'Wait For Me' from Hadestown 3:42: Lyrics from 'Somewhere' from West Side Story... 3:52: ...which transitions into 'It All Fades Away' from The Bridges of Madison Country... 3:58: ....and then 'Thank You For The Music' from Mamma Mia. 4:01: In the background is 'One More Day' from West Side Story 4:05: 'One Night Only' is from Dreamgirls. 4:06: The music and choreography evokes 'One' from A Chorus Line 4:12: Notes and choreography taken from the opening of 'Rich Man's Frug' from Sweet Charity- channeling Bob Fosse. 4:16: Lyrics from 'Let the Sunshine In/Aquarius' from Hair 4:17: Music is the main theme from The Phantom of the Opera 4:26: Choreography and music from 'America' from West Side Story-- possibly the specific 2021 version Ariana DeBose was in? 4:40: Trumpet playing 'Tomorrow' from Annie- Ariana's pose also evokes this. 4:45: 'Climb Every Mountain' from The Sound of Music 4:49: 'Keep It Gay' from The Producers 4:51: 'People' from Funny Girl 5:00: 'I Am What I Am' from La Cage aux Folles There were probably some I missed.

THIS HAS GOTTA BE MY FAVORITE TONY OPENING OF ALL TIME! THE CHOREOGRAPHY THE SONG THE MASHED BROADWAY MUSIC EVERYTHING! Also i just absolutely adore Ariana

I love the look on face at the end when she realized that she did the damned thing in front of all her heroes!

Lin practically JUMPING to his feet no one touch me I'm emotional

This and NPH’s opening in 2013 are my favorite opening for any award ceremony that I’ve seen

Ariana undoubtedly being Anita in Spielberg's WSS has the popularity she deserved since she began her acting career And well, what can I say apart from the fact that this presentation was simply wonderful and one of the best that the award has had in its existence, this girl knows that she has a great future ahead of her

Wait For Me playing in the background of the speeches almost made me cry ngl, along with Lin's iconic love is love speech

The "Wait for Me" mixed with "It's All Happening" will never not make me cry.

This is one of the GREATEST musical numbers in herstory. Ariana DeBose the woman and ICON that you are.

This is, without a doubt, one of the greatest opening numbers of any awards show in history. It's incredibly complex, from the constant changes in tempo, key, and musical styles to the intense choreography and lighting design. It does a great job at tugging at the heart strings, especially during the past winning speeches at 3:11. I'm a huge fan of Lea Salonga, so it made me happy to see her included and recognized on that stage.

Something I love is just how comfortable she is during the “Magic to do” part since she was the leading player understudy

The last RENT reference made me tear up: I always wish Jonathan Larson could be here to see the impact his show has

No one: Ariana Debose: destroys all of us with this masterpiece of talent

The pan over to Lin Manuel saying "I LOVE YOU" to Ariana debose is the best part tbh

This performance absolutely CLOWNS on that stupid joke about her not being able to sing, my god.

I've watched it a million times and Lin's reaction at the end gets me every time!

Lyrics [ARIANA] That sound, the sound of cheering We work to try and hear it Each show we've ever put on And poured our hearts into But this is the occasion The night with the ovation Belongs to everyone here Every one of you 'Cause we all play a leading part In this art of making art And so, tonight, for you, I wanna start By saying To every team, every cast In present, future, and past Tonight, at last This is your round of applause For the last seventy-five years You've kept it alive, cheers High five! This is your round of applause 'Cause you know the show would never go on If we didn't all come together as one So let's all take this chance To make a song and a dance Let's see your hands This is your round of applause Bit by bit, putting it together There's been too many shows over the years To list them top to bottom So we've mashed up a few, let's see if you can spot 'em! [ENSEMBLE, spoken] Women in the sequel, work! [ARIANA] Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome Im Cabaret, au Cabaret, to Cabaret Life's a ball, if only you know it And it's all just waiting for you Come on! [ARIANA, ENSEMBLE, ALL] Stand back, Buenos Aires (Ease on down the road) You ain't never had a friend like me (Never had a friend like me) And we've got magic to do Just for you But I simply cannot do it alone Yodl layee, odl layee, odl-oo [ARIANA, spoken, ENSEMBLE & LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA, spoken] Radio City! (Look around, look around) What's good? (And love is love is love is love) [ARIANA, ENSEMBLE, ALL] To Fosse, Ebb and Kander (Work, work) To Lin-Manuel Miranda (Work) I'm such a fan, duh! (We better work, work) This is your round of applause Won't forget, can't regret What I did for love I got rhythm I got music I got my gal Who could ask for anything more? 'Cause the world keeps spinning 'round and 'round ('Round and 'round) And my heart's keeping time to the speed of sound (Speed of sound) I was lost 'til I heard the drums, then I found my way 'Cause you can't stop the beat To all my theatre queens Who get it done like machines Behind the scenes This is your round of applause It's been seventy-five years Of bringing laughter and tears Y'all are fierce This is your round of applause [LEA SALONGA, spoken] This can't be for real [DAISY EAGAN, spoken] I don't think I can talk [KRISTIN CHENOWETH, spoken] Mom and Dad, you drove me to many, many hours of ballet and dance classes, I hope you feel it's worth it now [ADRIENNE WARREN, spoken, & ENSEMBLE] My parents; everything that I am, is because of you (Let's go, ooh-woah) [JUDITH LIGHT, spoken, & ENSEMBLE] Uh, this is such a gift, and you are such a generous community (Wait for me, I'm coming) [MICHAEL BENNETT & MICHAEL PETERS, spoken, & ENSEMBLE] We would like to thank our dancing sets, our dancing lights, our dancing costumes (Let's go, ooh-whoa) [BARBRA STREISAND, spoken, & ENSEMBLE] It was on a Broadway stage that my, my career really began (Wait, I'm coming with you) (It's all happening) [ARIANA] There's a place for us [AUDRA MCDONALD, spoken, & ARIANA] I want to thank all the shoulders of the strong and brave and courageous women that I am standing on (Somewhere, a place for us, it all fades away but you) [JEANINE TESORI, spoken, ARIANA & ENSEMBLE] Because for girls, you have to see it to be it (Gimme, gimme) (Thank you for the music) (That thing called) [ARI’EL STACHEL, spoken, ARIANA & ENSEMBLE] Your biggest obstacle may turn into your purpose (The songs I'm singing) (One more dawn) [ANDRÉ DE SHIELDS, spoken, & ENSEMBLE] So keep climbing (One more day) [JAMES MONROE IGLEHART, spoken, & ARIANA] This is a praise shout, hey! (2-4-6-0) [ARIANA, ENSEMBLE, ALL] One night only, one night only We only have 'til dawn Let the sunshine (Yeah) Let the sunshine in Everybody rise Rise To brass, percussion, and strings To everyone in the wings And all the swings! This is your round of applause To every theatre fan Here since the Tonys began It's you we stan This is your round of applause Climb ev'ry mountain (This is your round of applause) Keep it gay, keep it gay, keep it gay (So lift your hands up because) People who need people (This is your round, this is your round) Are the luckiest people Hey, world! (In the world) I am what I am! Viva la vie Broadway! Hah! This is your round of applause This is your round of applause!

I find myself watching this at least once a week. She was so good.

Lin reaction 🥺🥺 He looks like a proud dad😍😍

Thanks for posting this!!!! I'll never understand why they don't show the Tonys worldwide, but thanks to youtube I could see this at least months later 😄

I just adore Ariana DeBose . She is an amazing talent while being humble She deserves all the wonderful things coming her way!

Its that giant smile at the end where she looks so excited that gets me

I watch this again and again- it’s such a beautifully arranged, choreographed, and performed love letter to theatre and the people who make it happen. The best part is knowing that from you, the other writers, and Ariana it isn’t just lip service: When you recognize the swings, creative teams, front of house, orchestra (and more)- you genuinely mean it. … also, the Wicked orchestration under Hairspray was phenomenal. I’d forgotten what that theme felt like and it’s magic (like like this piece).

gave me chills when I first watched it, and it still gives me chills now. ariana debose is an absolute LEGEND

the way the choreo changes at 2:45 gives me goosebumps

The kiss at the Hair moment 🥰

I scream whenever there is a west side story and hamilton reference. I love her so much in both musicals

What a talent. She was so under-utilised in Hamilton and Schmigadoon and even The Prom

Holy crap. She nailed it.

I've never heard of ariana debose but ive just realised that this is that deadly little charmer from the hamilton chorus. It's such a mad surreal privilege to watch someone's dream come true!

4:13 gave me literal chills omg

she’s fucking crazy talented out of this WORLD

Thanks for reposting and with the well deserved standing O! I'm a big fan of your mashups and this is just wonderful. Have been watching daily (on Paramount) for an regular hit of JOY!

This makes me tear up every time I watch it. There’s something so powerful about bringing together multiple shows and their songs to create this masterpiece. Incredibly executed 👏

I’ve watched this so many times. She is perfect!!!

I’ve never seen anyone more striking. I need a full moment.

“And all the swings” ❤️❤️❤️

She was absolutely stunning!! Like I could watch her perform for hours that was, like nothing I've ever seen honestly

Whenever I'm bored of continuously watching Ariana do her thang here, I instead watch the skill and entertainment of another in the emsemble who you can see on the bottom left side of the group as shown at 0:49. Just follow him through the video! And he obviously has a great friendship with Ariana too- it's adorable

A year later & I'm still watching it ❤

Excellence on stage!! Especially with the key change to 2:44 Hairspray - 'you can't stop the beat' while being lifted. You can feel the smooth transition tone, key notes and vibrato flow out of her mouth.

Huge props to the choreography and the dancers. THAT is Broadway-level movement work!

WHY ISN'T THIS ON SPOTIFY!!!?

Ahhh last night was the 2023 Tony's and I'm seeing this and remembering how much I loved this when it came on last year!! Crazy how fast time flies!!! 👏🏻

Who’s here after the BAFTAs?

I noticed her since she was signing in 54 below with rockwell. I am just so proud of her and not totally surprised that she has becoming so successful these days. So proud!

Ahhhh LMM reaction when she called him out on stage 🤍 so fcking cute I love their friendship

Appreciate this post. The audio is great and the standing O was included. Ariana Debose is an outstanding performer

SHE DID THAT!! SHE DID THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She's a STAR!!!!

this is what i consider perfection.

Wow, I AM SO READY to see a show where ARIANA DEBOSE is FRONT AND CENTER...where she is THE STAR...🌟!!! She is SO GREAT...🤩🤩🤩!!!

I woke up this morning and this song was stuck in my head. I had to come listen to it.

I would pay full price to see Ariana DeBose read the phone book.

Yesss I'm so glad this is finally on KZfaq in an official capacity since I don't have my paramount subscription any more. I tried to look it up a week ago and just couldn't find it, so I was thrilled to see it pop up in my subscriptions this morning lol. It's such a beautiful number! You and the whole team did an amazing job with the mash ups, orchestrations, etc. Love it so much!!! ❤️❤️

lin being a proud papa >>>>

not gonna lie i only really found about her through the “Angela Basset did tha thing.” (which is iconic) but my god is this woman talented, how on earth does she sing like that while dancing like that? what a talent. ❤

I legit teared up this is so good

The BEST Tony opening in recent memory by far!! Host every year!!!!

That is why she won a Oscar!

this woman is EVERYTHING

This has to be one of the BEST mashups ive ever heard of MT music just like A+++++

FINALLY! A version with the full round of applause! Sooooo satisfying! Sooooo amazing! Iconic! :)

AND NOW SHE GONNA DO IT AGAIN

Wow she really did tha thing!!😂

Thank you for posting this. I never saw the ending and damn.... when she hit the funny girl "people" high note I was like.... YASSSSSSSSSSSS

So...this number had to really grow on me. I'm not gonna lie. The first few times I watched it, it didn't do it for me. But after rewatching it multiple times, I can say that I really like it. It seemed all over the place for me, but something just clicked. Amazing performance!

4:15 is the moment that gave birth to me

I didn't know I needed this performance in my life. Wow !!

There are people with talent and then there's Ariana DeBose, who seemingly can just do everything

what a masterpiece 😍

Definitely one of the best opening numbers in Tony Awards history.

I cannot stop watching this.

Thank you, "Schmigadoon" for introducing me to this woman... 🥰

Aweee Charlie and Ryan's kiss 💚

Now, this is a mash-up! It encapsulates the last 20-30 years of music experience for the upcoming generation. We older patrons/supporters/creators need to stop bitching and find ways to connect with them as it the only way we'll be able to pass on what we've learned. I hope we haven't blown it because we have so much to offer.

I swear to god entire Hamilton cast jumps on their feet whenever any one of them does anything phenomenal 🥹🥹🥹

i know she says "and all the SWINGS" ... but I keep hearing "and all the TWINKS" LOL

Love the shout out to Sue Makoo . We stan a power couple. 🥰

I LOVE ARIANA!!! ❤ I watched this live and she was my favorite part of the Tony’s! I discovered her in “Bring It On” and she’s come so far :) she’s going places!

Take that, Angela-Bassett-did-the-thing-haters! She is a star!

Genuinely my favorite Tony Awards opening ever. Brilliant in every moment in all aspects. Bravo.

Obsessed with this, it’s just incredible. Ariana is phenomenal and the dancers were stunning. Congrats on such an iconic opening 👏👏👏

I love how Lin is the first to stand

Best opening ever

Nobody will ever be able to do a better opening

OMG THANK YOU SO MUCH!! I STARTED UNIVERSITY THIS YEAR AND JUST REFLECTING ON ALL MY ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT GOT ME TO WHERE I AM 😭 THIS PERFORMANCE ENCAPSULATED ALL MY EMOTIONS AND I WAS SHATTERED WHEN THEY REMOVED IT. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK ❤️

She's freaking amazing! ❤️

THANK YOU for not only posting this, but your artistry in mashing up this EPIC opening number!

wow this is the best opening of tony awards ive seen. the original song is really good (with a hint of six)

Best opening number in years

Oh my god! This is the most inspiring performance, what an incredible woman, cast and fabulous writers!