Each day, the Bbox team trolls YouTube for the hot clip—sometimes it's a brand-new moment and sometimes it's a throwback to an oldie but goodie. No matter what praise hands are shot up, pearls are clutched and the repeat button is hit.
"Lowdown-Down" (Toni Collette)
Ulterior Motives: 20 years ago tonight, Michael John LaChiusa's The Wild Party opened at the Virginia Theatre (now the August Wilson) starring Ms. Collette, Mandy Patinkin, Eartha Kitt, Marc Kudisch, Norm Lewis and so many more uber talented actors under the direction of George C. Wolfe. LaChiusa's melodic and brass-infused score is astounding with "New York City's great big heart" beating throughout it all. From the jump, the exclamation point of a horn section and pounding of the drums set the tone of the show. Toni Collette's moving Act One ballad "Lowdown-Down" appeared on The Rosie O'Donnell Show back in 2000. We love Rosie not only for championing Broadway but look at that set Toni is singing on!
Ultimate 🙌 🙌 moment: Toni looks like she time travelled from 1928. We love her acting choices in her eyes alone from 1:49 - 2:02. We have to give two moments though - the lyric on 2:32-3:09. It's the brilliance of Mr. LaChiusa but that one lyric is Queenie at her most vulnerable and lets the audience in on who she truly is.
