Oscar Night Performances: Lin-Manuel Miranda and More
Friday, February 10, 2017 at 5:00PM By Nathaniel R
With just 16 days until the Oscars more news hits each day. We now know that all five Original Song nominees will be performed on the broadcast but we can safely expect at least two of the songs to be significantly altered.
Lin-Manuel Miranda will perform Moana's "How Far I'll Go," which is a solo, with Moana herself Auli'i Cravalho so one wonders what kind of arrangement we'll get for the song as a duet. Nevertheless it's a safe bet to say that this will be a highlight of the show since the song is rousing and everybody loves Miranda...
John Legend, who plays Ryan Gosling's bandmate and former business partner in La La Land, will perform both of La La Land's original songs, "City of Stars" and "Audition". It's hard to imagine "Audition," in particular, a female belter and traditional "musical theater" styled song coming from Legend so you have to wonder what that will sound like. Or will we just get little snippets of it mixed in with his "City of Stars" arrangement?
Finally, Sting and Justin Timberlake will perform "The Empty Chair" and "Can't Stop The Feeling" from Jim the James Foley Story and Trolls, respectively. Since they're the original singers of those songs they're likely to hew closest to the versions we already know.
Quick -- list these performances in the order you're most excited to see them.
Is this the same order as your preferences in the category or diametrically opposed?
Reader Comments (10)
I though that Ryan and Emma would performed as the cast of Les Miserable did last time a musical was nominated. It is hard to imagine "Audition" without Emma
It's good to see that Lin-Manuel Miranda will perfome with Auli'i, I'll hope that Alessia Cara joins them
1&2. Since my first reaction after seeing La La Land was "why couldn't they all have sung like John Legend and been mixed like John Legend?" this performance is my most anticipated. The lyrics to "Audition" (see below) will definitely work sung by a man.
3. "How Far I'll Go"
4. "Can't Stop the Feeling"
5. "The Empty Chair"
My preferences in the category are basically the same, except I'd put "How Far I'll Go" at the top of the list.
"Audition (The Fools Who Dream)" (Hurwitz/Pasek/Paul)
My aunt used to live in Paris.
I remember, she used to come home and tell us these stories about being abroad and I remember she told us that she jumped into the river once, barefoot.
She smiled...
Leapt, without looking
And tumbled into the Seine
The water was freezing
She spent a month sneezing
But said she would do it again
Here's to the ones who dream
Foolish as they may seem
Here's to the hearts that ache
Here's to the mess we make
She captured a feeling
Sky with no ceiling
The sunset inside a frame
She lived in her liquor
And died with a flicker
I'll always remember the flame
Here's to the ones who dream
Foolish as they may seem
Here's to the hearts that ache
Here's to the mess we make
She told me:
"A bit of madness is key
To give us new colors to see
Who knows where it will lead us?
And that's why they need us"
So bring on the rebels
The ripples from pebbles
The painters, and poets, and plays
And here's to the fools who dream
Crazy as they may seem
Here's to the hearts that break
Here's to the mess we make
I trace it all back to then
Her, and the snow, and the Seine
Smiling through it
She said she'd do it again
Same as Paul Outlaw. Though I wish Emma had sung the song herself. I mean that would easily justify it if she wins. The highlight of her performance on LLL on Oscar night.
I think Lin will only accompany her with piano or something like that.
I really hate that Timberlake song.
Too many penises, Academy.
Feed us with a diva!
And same exact answer as Paul and Craver.
And though I think Legend will do a great job, I really wished they could've found a woman to sing Audition (see Peggy Sue's comment).
Weirdly if Emma couldn't have sung it, my evil cackling dream was for Amy Adams to swoop in and do it. Almost like an "oh, you won't nominate me? well try this performance on for size bitches."
Gawd, Justin Timberlake better do choreography! I am not here for Justin as respectable musician who just stands at a microphone. His song ought to be the "Happy"/"Everything is Awesome" of the show so it better be a big musical performance.
I thought they would hire Lady Gaga to sing the LA LA LAND songs. Remember when Celine Dion sang several of the nominees one year? And Gaga seems to be a regular presence at the Oscars now.
Well, at least we know that Jennifer Lopez and/or John Travolta will introduce one of the songs or present the Best Song award. Because - tradition!
@RyanT: LOL
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