Next at the Kennedy Center

ANNOUNCER: Next at the Kennedy Center, Cynthia Erivo and Friends a New Year's Eve Celebration was made possible in part by the Iris and Joseph Pollock Fund of the PBS Foundation and by contributions to your PBS station from viewers like you.

Thank you.

(applause).

CYNTHIA: If I ever leave you, baby.

You can say I told you so.

And if I ever hurt you.

You know, I hurt myself as well.

Yeah.

Is that any way for a man to carry on?

Do you think I want my loved one gone?

Said I love you.

More than you'll ever know.

More than you'll ever know.

(guitar solo) When I wasn't making much money.

You know where my paycheck went.

Yeah.

You know, I brought it home to you, baby.

And I never spent a red cent.

Yeah.

Is that any way for a man to carry on?

Do you think I want my loved one gone?

Said I love you.

More than you'll ever know.

More than you'll ever know.

Yeah.

I'm not trying to be.

Just any kind of man.

No, I ain't.

Yeah.

I'm just trying to be somebody.

That you can love, trust, and understand.

I know, I know, I know that I can be.

A part of you that no one else could see, yeah.

But I got to hear you say.

I got to hear you say.

It's alright.

Hey.

I'm only flesh and blood.

But I can be anything for you.

I can be King of everything.

Or just a tiny grain of sand.

Yeah.

Is that any way for a man to carry on?

Do you think, my love, my loved one gone?

Said I love you.

More than you'll ever know.

I said I love you.

More than you'll ever know.

Hey.

Said I love you, you, you, you, you, you.

I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you.

Yeah.

More.

Than you'll ever know.

Yeah.

(applause).

(theme music plays).

(applause).

CYNTHIA: Welcome, everyone.

This concert is really exciting for me because I'm trying some new things and singing some new things that I haven't sung before.

So you guys are guinea pigs, is that alright?

Is that okay?

(applause).

Thank you.

I'm curious about what my voice can do, I'm curious about, uh, I'm curious about the depth of knowledge and curious about the vocabulary that I might have and can gain and I think I've always wanted to expand my voice, and I can only do that if I try new things.

My mum came to London when she was, I think she was 24 when she came to London, on her own, and created the life that she wanted for herself.

And that's always inspired me, she wanted me to follow my dreams, she wanted me to work as hard as I possibly good to get what I needed to get and to do what I wanted to do.

So I never want to say no to a song because I'm scared of it.

My taste in music is really vast and wide, and I kind of wanted to explore that this time.

So if I get to do that with my friends at the same time is great, yeah.

A couple years ago when I was in "The Color Purple"... (applause).

A friend of mine was also in "Dear Evan Hansen".

And we are, our theaters were literally across the street from each other, and on two show days we would be so exhausted, but somehow we would find the energy and strength for each other.

So I would either go over to his theater and spend the afternoon with him, sometimes not saying a word just being there.

And sometimes he would come over to my theater.

But we took care of each other, and I'm very, very lucky that he said yes to coming to be a part of this concert tonight.

So I would love to introduce you to the wonderful Ben Platt.

(applause).

I love you!

BEN: I love you too.

We go well together.

CYNTHIA: We do.

BEN: It's nice.

CYNTHIA: See this?

Look.

(applause).

It's almost as if we planned it.

BEN: Shh!

Shall we sing?

CYNTHIA: We should.

BOTH: You're all I need.

To get by-y-y (You're all) BEN: Like the sweet morning dew.

( I need) I took one look at you.

(To get by) And it was plain to see.

(by-y-y) You were my destiny.

(You're all) CYNTHIA: With my arms open wide.

( I need) I threw away my pride.

(To get by) I'll sacrifice for you.

(by-y-y) Dedicate my life to you.

I will go where you lead.

BEN: Come on baby.

CYNTHIA: Always there in time of need.

BEN: And when I lose my will.

You'll be there to push me up the hill.

BOTH: There's no, no looking back for us.

We got love.

Sure 'nough, that's enough.

You're all.

You're all I need to get by.

(You're all I need to get by).

CYNTHIA: Ooo, hey.

BEN: Come on darling.

(You're all).

BEN: Like an eagle protects his nest.

( I need) For you, I'll do my best.

(To get by) Stand by you like a tree.

(by-y-y) And dare anybody to try and move me.

(You're all) CYNTHIA: Darling in you, I found.

( I need) Strength where I was torn down.

(To get by) I don't know what's in store.

(by-y-y) But together we can open any door.

Just to do what's good for you.

BEN: Come on darling.

CYNTHIA: I'll inspire you a little bit higher.

BEN: I know you can make a man out of a soul that didn't have a goal.

BOTH: 'Cause we, we got the right foundation.

And with love and determination.

You're all.

You're all I want to strive for and do a little more.

You're all.

All the joys under the sun wrapped up into one.

You're all, you're all I need.

You're all I need.

You're all I need.

Oh, to get by.

(You're all I need to get by-y-y) BOTH: Higher, higher, higher, higher, higher.

(You're all I need).

BEN: Ohh.

(To get by) CYNTHIA: You're all I need to get by.

BEN: Come on darling.

(You're all).

CYNTHIA: Hey.

BEN: You're all I need.

CYNTHIA: You're all I need.

BEN: You're all I need.

CYNTHIA: You're all I need.

BEN: To get by.

CYNTHIA: You're all I need.

BEN: You're all I need to get by.

CYNTHIA: You're all I need to get by.

BEN: You're all I need to get by.

CYNTHIA: You're all I need to.

BOTH: Get by.

(applause).

BEN: Let's give this lady a break, shall we?

(applause).

I would love to sing a song of my own, if that's alright with you.

This is called, uh, "Ease My Mind".

(Ooo, ooo, ooo).

(Ooo, ooo, ooo).

BEN: Most days.

I wake up with a pit in my chest.

There are thoughts that I can't put to rest.

There's a worry that I can't place.

Most nights.

I am restless and quiet won't come.

So I lay there and wait for the sun.

There's a trouble that won't show its face.

You came out of nowhere.

And you cut through all the noise.

I make sense of the madness.

When I listen to your voice.

Darling, only you can ease my mind.

Help me leave these lonely thoughts behind.

When they pull me under.

And I can feel my sanity start to unwind.

Darling, only you can ease my mind.

I'll admit.

For a moment I felt so afraid.

Just to show you the mess that I made.

There are pieces I usually hide.

Oh but when you collect me with your steady hand.

With a language that I understand.

I feel put back together inside.

You came out of nowhere.

And you cut through all the noise.

I make sense of the madness.

When I listen to your voice.

Oh Darling, only you can ease my mind.

Hey!

Oh help me leave these lonely thoughts behind.

When they pull me under.

And I can feel my sanity start to unwind.

Darling, only you can ease my mind.

(vocal and piano only) Darling, only you can ease my mind.

Help me leave these lonely thoughts behind.

When they pull me under.

And I can feel my sanity start to unwind.

Darling, only you can ease my mind.

(Ooo, ooo, ooo).

Ooo, ooo, ooo.

BEN: Ooo, ooo, ooo.

Oooooo.

(applause).

Whenever I see your smiling face.

I have to smile myself, Because I love you, yes I do.

And when you give me that pretty little pout.

It turns me inside out.

There's something about you, baby.

I don't know.

Isn't it amazing a man like me.

Can feel this way?

Yeah.

Tell me how much longer.

It can grow stronger every day.

Oh, how much longer?

I thought I was in love a couple of times before.

With the girl next door.

But that was long before I met you.

Now I'm sure that I won't forget you.

And I thank my lucky stars.

That you are who you are.

And not just another lovely lady.

Sent down to break my heart.

Isn't it amazing a man like me.

Can feel this way?

Yeah.

Oh, tell me how much longer.

It can grow stronger every day, yeah.

Oh, how much longer?

No one can tell me that I'm doing wrong today.

Whenever I see you smilin' at me.

No one can tell me that I'm doing wrong today.

Whenever I see your smiling face my way.

No one can tell me that I'm doing wrong today.

No, no, darling.

No one can tell me that I'm doing wrong today.

Whenever I see your smiling face my way.

Hey!

Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah.

Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah.

Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah.

Hey, hey, hey, yeah.

(song ends) (applause).

Thank you!

(applause).

CYNTHIA: Listen, if you know me, you know like an outfit change.

You know I like it, you know I like a little fashion moment, I can't help myself.

This next one is a little different, but it's one of my favorites.

And I couldn't really do this without a little Sondheim, so I figured I would.

(clarinet solo) Isn't it rich?

Are we a pair?

Me here at last on the ground.

You in mid-air.

Send in the clowns.

Isn't it bliss?

Don't you approve?

One who keeps tearing around.

One who can't move.

Where are the clowns?

Send in the clowns.

Just when I'd stopped opening doors.

Finally knowing the one that I wanted was yours.

Making my entrance again with my usual flair.

Sure of my lines.

No one is there.

(clarinet solo) Don't you love a farce?

My fault, I fear.

I thought that you'd want what I want.

Sorry, my dear!

But where are the clowns?

There ought to be clowns.

Quick, send in the clowns.

What a surprise.

Who could foresee?

I come to feel about you what you felt about me.

Why only now when I see that you drifted away?

What a surprise.

What a clich.

Isn't it rich?

Isn't it queer?

Losing my timing this late in my career.

And where are the clowns?

Quick, send in the clowns.

Don't bother.

They're here.

(applause).

Thank You.

I'm a lucky girl I'll tell you that right now.

I'm very lucky.

I've known this band of players for a very long time, and they seem to keep letting me get on with my mischief.

So I love them very much for it.

And I couldn't do it without them, honestly.

Um, Ricky, who I honestly owe a lot to, I don't think you would see me as much as you see me if it wasn't for him.

And I mean that.

So when we talk about friends, I'm not just talking about the wonderful people who come out here and sing with me, I'm really talking about the people who are doing this whole thing with me.

Everyone on the stage is a friend.

Everyone on the stage has worked really hard, and everyone on the stage keeps working with me.

And I'm very lucky for it.

(applause).

It really is a great gift, so thank you.

Thank you very much.

Ricky is... Not just a friend but I would give him the title of mentor.

But even above that Ricky just knows everything.

He understands my voice implicitly, he understands who I am as a musician, and gets it immediately.

The first time we worked together was on the Governor's Ball for the Oscars, when I first went, and not as a nominee.

And he's just been my musical rock since then.

That he will take time out to do this with me means a great deal.

It feels like a badge of honor.

He's wonderful.

Let me say since.

Since we've been together.

Loving you forever.

Is what I need.

Let me be the one you come running to.

I'll never be untrue.

Oh, baby, let's.

Let's stay together.

Loving you whether.

Whether.

Times are good or bad.

Happy or sad.

I'm.

I'm so in love with you.

Whatever you want to do.

Is alright with me.

Cause you make me feel so brand new.

And, I want to spend my life with you.

Oh, baby, let's.

Let's stay together.

('Gether) Loving you whether.

Whether.

Times are good or bad.

Happy or sad.

(Synth solo).

(Cynthia vocalizing).

Hey.

Good or bad, happy or sad.

Oh Why.

Why do people break up?

Mmm, turn around and make up.

I just can't see.

You'd never do that to me.

Listen, baby.

Being around you is all.

All I see.

Oh baby let's.

Let's stay together.

('Gether) Loving you whether.

Whether.

Times are good or bad, happy or sad.

Let's, We oughtta stay together.

Loving you whether, whether.

Times are good or bad, happy or sad.

Good or bad, happy or sad.

Good or bad.

Happy or sad.

Hey.

(applause).

I don't get to see people as often as I like, and Joaquina is incredible.

And she's I think a brilliant, brilliant human being.

I knew how hard she'd worked in 'Color Purple'.

I know how hard she works in general.

I think she's one of the most exquisite actresses I've ever had the pleasure of working with.

And when you put two voices together, I think it's a really special thing to do and to experience.

And when the voices work, there's like an energy that's in the air when it, when it makes sense.

And I, I love that.

I'm so glad you're here.

JOAQUINA: I'm so glad to be here.

CYNTHIA: Thanks for doing this with me.

I love you very, very much.

JOAQUINA: I love you.

CYNTHIA: I'm so excited for you.

So excited for your journey, and for the things that you've already done, and for the many, many more things that you will be doing.

And I can't wait to be cheerleading you at every step of the way.

(applause).

I'm gonna be calling you up a lot, so just say yes when I ask, please.

JOAQUINA: Absolutely.

CYNTHIA: Cuz I'm going to be asking a lot.

Um, cuz I love doing this with you.

Yeah, you ready?

JOAQUINA: Oh gosh, yeah.

CYNTHIA: Okay.

Strumming my pain with his fingers.

You know this one, huh?

Singing my life with his words.

Killing me softly with his song.

Killing me softly.

With his song.

Telling my whole life.

With his words.

Killing me softly.

With his song.

JOAQUINA: I heard he sang a good song.

I heard he had a style.

And so I came to see him.

BOTH: To listen for a while.

JOAQUINA: And there he was, this young boy.

Stranger to my eyes.

BOTH: Strumming my pain with his fingers.

Singing my life with his words.

Killing me softly with his song.

JOAQUINA: Killing me softly.

With his song.

Telling my whole life.

With his words.

Killing me softly.

With his song.

CYNTHIA: I felt all flushed with fever.

Embarrassed by the crowd.

I felt he'd found my letters and read each one out loud.

I prayed that he would finish.

But he just kept right on.

Strumming my pain with his fingers.

JOAQUINA: One time.

CYNTHIA: Singing my life with his words.

JOAQUINA: Two times.

CYNTHIA: Killing me softly with his song.

Killing me softly.

With his song.

Telling my whole life with his words.

Killing me softly.

With his song.

BOTH: Whoa, oh-oh-oh.

Whoa-oh-oh-oh, whoa-oh-whoa-oh-oh La-la-la, la-la-la.

Oh-oh-oh, la-da-ah Whoa-oh-oh, La-da-ah-ah-ah-ah.

La-ah-ah- ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah Strumming my pain with his fingers.

(Cynthia vocalizing) JOAQUINA: Singing my life with his words.

CYNTHIA: Ohh.

JOAQUINA: Killing me softly with his song.

CYNTHIA: His song.

JOAQUINA: Killing me softly.

CYNTHIA: Killing me softly.

JOAQUINA: With his song.

Telling my whole life with his words.

BOTH: Killing me softly.

With his song.

(music ends) (vocals and synth only) Strumming my pain with his fingers.

Singing my life with his words.

Killing me softly with his song.

Killing me softly.

With his song.

Telling my whole life.

With his words.

Killing me softly.

With his song.

(applause).

(music starts, rhythmic clapping).

JOAQUINA: We're gonna have a good time, yes?

Y'all know this song.

Well go on and sing it with me now.

Let me see you clap those hands.

Ooooo, uh-huh, oooo Uh-huh, yeah.

Oooooo-oo-ooh This will be.

An everlasting love.

This will be.

The one I've waited for.

This will be.

The first time anyone has loved me.

Oh.

I'm so glad.

He found me in time.

I'm so glad that.

He rectified my mind.

This will be.

An everlasting love for me.

Come on!

(Loving you).

JOAQUINA: Is some kind of wonderful.

Because you've shown me.

Just how much you care.

You've given me the thrill of a lifetime.

And made me believe you've got more thrills to spare.

Oh.

(This will be).

JOAQUINA: An everlasting love.

Oh, yes, it will now.

You've brought a lot of sunshine into my life.

You've filled me with happiness that I.

(Never knew).

JOAQUINA: You gave me more joy than I ever dreamed of.

And no one, no one.

Can take the place of you.

(This will be).

JOAQUINA: This will be.

(You and me).

JOAQUINA: You and me.

(Yessiree).

JOAQUINA: Yessiree.

(Totally.)

JOAQUINA: Whoa.

(Huggin' and squeezin' and kissin' and pleasin') (Together forever through rain or whatever) JOAQUINA: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

(Yeah, yeah, yeah).

JOAQUINA: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

(You and me).

JOAQUINA: Come on, so long as we're livin' True love, I'll be givin', to you I'll be servin'.

'Cause you're so deservin' ('Cause you're so deservin').

JOAQUINA; You're so deservin' baby.

(Yeah, yeah, yeah).

JOAQUINA: Come on and sing it now.

(Love).

JOAQUINA: Love.

(Love).

JOAQUINA: Love.

(Love).

JOAQUINA: Love.

(Love).

JOAQUINA: Love.

(Love).

JOAQUINA: Love, love, love, love.

(Love).

JOAQUINA: Love.

(Love).

JOAQUINA: Love.

(Love).

JOAQUINA: Love.

(Love).

JOAQUINA: Love.

Love.

(From now on, from now on.)

JOAQUINA: What you say?

(From now on).

JOAQUINA: Go on and sing it now.

(From now on).

JOAQUINA: What you said.

(From now on).

JOAQUINA: From now, from now on.

From now, from now on.

On, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on, And on, and on, and on, woo!

(From now on).

(Hey) (From now) JOAQUINA: On.

Yeah.

(applause).

I don't know why I'm frightened.

I know my way around here.

The cardboard trees, the painted scenes.

The sound here.

Yes, a world to rediscover.

But I'm not in any hurry.

And I need a moment.

The whispered conversations.

In overcrowded hallways.

The atmosphere as thrilling here as always.

Feel the early morning madness.

Feel the magic in the making.

Why everything's as if.

We never said goodbye.

I've spent so many mornings.

Just trying to resist you.

I'm trembling now.

You can't know how I've missed you.

Missed the fairy-tail adventures.

In this ever-spinning playground.

We were young together.

I'm coming out of make-up.

The lights already burning.

Not long until the cameras will start turning.

And the early morning madness.

And the magic in the making.

Yes, everything's as if.

We never said goodbye.

I don't want to be alone.

That's all in the past.

This world's waited long enough.

I've come home at last!

And this time will be bigger.

And brighter than we knew it.

So watch me fly.

We all know I can do it.

Could I stop my hand from shaking?

Has there ever been a moment With so much to live for?

The whispered conversations.

In overcrowded hallways.

So much to say.

Not just today but always.

We'll have early morning madness.

We'll have magic in the making.

Yes, everything's as if.

We never said goodbye.

Yes.

Everything's as if.

We never said goodbye.

We taught the world.

New ways to dream.

(applause).

(applause).

CYNTHIA: Okay so this song was written by a very dear friend of mine.

Uh, his name is Michael Kilgore.

(applause).

Um and I, when his album came out I was obsessed with it.

And this particular song was on repeat.

When I play characters if there is an emotion that I need to evoke, I tend to listen to this particular song to help me get closer to the emotion that I want to feel.

Uh, because I think it's a beautifully written song.

When I asked him permission to do the song and he said yes I was very, very excited, so, I hope that when I do the song I do it justice.

And I hope you enjoy it.

It's called "Let Me Go".

After all of this time.

Can't get you off my mind.

Though I've tried.

Yeah I've tried.

And what hurts me the most.

Is I can't give up the ghost.

For pride.

Mmmm.

Foolish pride.

Oh, now can't you see.

You've got your fingerprints all over me.

So just let me go.

Cause I can't let go.

'Til you let me go.

Maybe what I should say.

Is, 'I missed you today'.

For real.

That's just how I feel.

But when you keep in touch.

Darling, I love it, I love it so much.

My heart.

Doesn't have time to heal.

Oh, what can I say?

I can't move on with you here in my way.

So, just let me go.

Cause I can't let go.

'Til you let me go.

Set me free, Why don't you babe?

Let me be, Why don't you babe?

Don't keep me hanging on.

It's so hard to do.

But I think it's 'bout time I should get over you.

So just let me go.

Cause I can't let go.

'Til you let me go.

Oh.

Now I understand.

All of this time I've been deep in quicksand.

So just let me go.

Just let me go.

Cause I can't let go.

'Til you let me.

Go.

(applause).

(applause).

Whenever you're performing for an audience, they aren't...

They're not just sounding board, I believe it's a conversation.

So when I'm singing a song, when I'm speaking to them, I really want them to feel like they're in my house and we're all having a conversation, and these are my friends.

It's a huge privilege to be able to move people.

And I, I hope I can keep doing that.

I, I love it.

I wanted to really like close it out in a powerful way, which is why I put this at the end of the set, and why I wanted to do this song.

I just, I love it.

Any opportunity to do this song, I will.

(applause).

(applause).

CYNTHIA: Hiya.

(applause).

You didn't think I'd leave you like that, did you?

No, no.

I'm gonna give you one more if that's okay.

(applause).

If you don't mind.

(applause).

(vocals and soft melodic music) It's been seven hours and 13 days.

Since you took your love away.

I go out every night and sleep all day.

Since you took your love away.

Since you been gone, I can do whatever I want.

I can see whomever I choose.

(band kicks in) I can eat my dinner in a fancy restaurant.

But nothing.

I said nothing can take away these blues.

Hey.

'Cause nothing compares.

Nothing compares to you.

Hey.

It's been so lonely.

Without you here.

I'm like a bird without a song.

(Ahh-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah).

CYNTHIA: Nothing can stop These lonely tears from falling.

Tell me, baby.

Baby, baby where did I go wrong?

I could put my arms around every girl I see.

But they'd only remind me of you.

(Ahh-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah).

And I went to the doctor.

Guess what he told me?

Guess what he told me?

He said, "Boy you better try to have fun, no matter what you do".

But he's a fool.

'Cause nothing compares.

Nothing compares to you.

Hey, hey, hey.

(guitar solo).

Hey, hey, hey.

(Ahh-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah).

(guitar solo).

CYNTHIA: Hey.

All the flowers that you planted mama.

In the backyard.

All died when you went away.

(Ahh-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah).

CYNTHIA: I know, I know, I know that living With me, baby was sometimes hard.

But I'm willing, I'm willing, I'm willing to give you another try.

Hey.

Nothing compares.

Nothing compares to you.

Oh.

Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing.

Oh.

Nothing compares.

Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing.

Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing.

Nothing compares.

To you.

(applause).

Thank you so much, everybody.

Thank you.

(applause).

I don't wanna bore you with it.

Oh, but I love you, I love you, I love you.

I don't wanna bore you with it.

Oh, but I love you, I love you, I love you.

(I don't wanna bore).

CYNTHIA: Don't wanna bore.

(You with it) (Oh, but I love you) CYNTHIA: I love you, I love you.

ANNOUNCER: Next at the Kennedy Center, Cynthia Erivo and Friends a New Year's Eve Celebration was made possible in part by the Iris and Joseph Pollock Fund of the PBS Foundation and by contributions to your PBS station from viewers like you.

Thank you.

ANNOUNCER: You're watching PBS.

BELLA: Remember, first impressions.

WOMAN: This is just the beginning.

ELIZA: To a change in fortunes.

TRISTAN: I'm awake.

I feel like I've opened my eyes.

The world is changing.

PIET: I think we should take it to the next level.

Are you ready for it Are you ready for it BELLA: I thought that was rather jolly.

CLAUDINE: So much fun.

(laughing) JAMES: We make a good team.

HARRY: And what will you tell the child when they ask where their dad is?

LOIS: There's a war.

I'll tell them you're dead.

Are you ready for it PIET: If we can find them, we'll get them.

ENDEAVOUR: I'm here to make sure justice gets done.

Oh-ah-oh-oh.

WILL: I really love you more than anything.

(bell dings) (bicycle bell rings) (gun cocking) (bell dings loudly and stops) ANNIKA: That's really loud.

Oh-ah-oh-oh-oh.

Oh-ah-oh-oh MAN: Shall we?

MAN 2: Fortune favors the bold!

Are you ready for it MAN 3: It feels more like the start of something than the end.

Are you ready for it