I saw this original cast on Broadway in 1981 on a trip to New York. Perfection from beginning to end.

You can see why she won both a Tony and Grammy award for this song! She was only 21 or 22 during this performance at the Tony Awards.

i got to see Dreamgirls and see Jennifer perform this live! the best broadway performance i ever saw as a child!

Jennifer Holliday was in her early 20s. Can you imagine singing like that LIVE each night that they performed that play??

This was the performance at the Tony Awards (she won that night) and what's crazy is that she did this show 8 times a week and delivered that level of performance every single time. There was no one who earned that trophy more than her that year. This was more than 40 years ago and she's still performing this song today... and she still sounds every bit as amazing as she did back then. Jennifer Hudson covered this song in the film version and she did it well.... but still, even she can't hold a candle to the original. That's just how good Jennifer Holiday is.

This performance The Original! Was Imitated but couldn't be DUPLICATED! You could have a ❤ of STONE! And you still FEEL! this version PERFECTION!

Leaves me in tears every time… I bought the original Broadway cast album (vinyl) just for this song 🤩🤯

I was lucky enough to see this performance when it was on Broadway. The reaction from the audience was amazing. They were on their feet before she finished (me too).The entire cast was amazing ,but Jennifer took it to another level, she gave me chills .The young man sitting next to me was in tears. WOW!

Everytime I watch this I'm blown away! Great reaction!

Jennifer Holliday is igggggnnnnnorrraaant period!!!!!!❤❤❤❤❤. Aamazzzinggg!!

I was lucky enough to see her perform it in the show live andin the flesh.

Great reaction! Awesome pick!

Perfection!!!

Marvelous!☺☺☺☺☺

This was the 1982 Tony Awards. CC's real name is Obba Babatunde!

You should watch her singing both Bridge Over Troubled Water with Luther Vandross & Paul Simon + His Eye Is On The Sparrow from the same broadcast (both are on KZfaq)

Loretta Devine and Sheryl Lee Ralph were in this too!

WOW ! That was great ! Your reaction was FIRE, like always, dear Sheray ! Can't wait to see your reaction to Eivor Falling free (which I gave ypu the link to in your previous videos already) Keep the good work up, I love your channel ! Best wishes from Germany : Gerry

If u get a chance, check out Prince "how come you don't call me, anymore?" Live in Bloomington. That's the best version you LL hear of that song

The gentleman playing opposite Jennifer Holliday is Cleavant Derricks from the TV show sliders. He has a long theater history.

Back in the day after watching the movie Dreamgirls, then later watching this clip really gave me chills

The actor who plays Effie's brother (C.C.) is Obba Babatunde. Yes, he played Mona and DeeDee's father on "Half & Half". The original Dreamgirls play includes Jennifer Holliday (Effie White), Sheryl Lee Ralph (Deena Jones) and Loretta Devine (Lorrell Robinson).

I'm pretty sure if you won the tony award for there

Dreamgirls Cast: Sheryl Lee Ralph as Deena Jones Jennifer Holliday as Effie White Loretta Devine as Lorrell Robinson Ben Harney as Curtis Taylor Jr. Cleavant Derricks as James "Thunder" Early Obba Babatundé as C.C. White

My favorite scene. I had your same reaction. Shared w peeps. Did u peep when security came out on stage and they told him to stay back? It was part of the performance, not real security

❤🌻

Did u notice that was Sheryl Lee Ralph who played Moesha's mom on Moesha?

Jennifer Holiday is the one and only Effie White

This play is based on the singing group Diana Rose and the Supremes.

If only for your own listening pleasure, buy the Dreamgirls soundtrack and get submerged in the amazing storytelling. When I was younger, I'd sit with headphones on and listened to my mom's vinyl album of this. The album was a double record, 2 sleeve cover. It gave you still shots from the play. I never got to see the play, but I could visualize the scenes play out when I closed my eyes. It was that good. Jennifer is a Gem. I never liked Hudson's version. This one will always be the one for me.