Move over, laughter, because on this week’s Pose, fierce vocals proved to be the best medicine.
The sixth episode of the FX series’ second season, titled “Love’s In Need of Love Today,” centered around the group of friends’ annual AIDS cabaret, organized by Pray Tell (Emmy nominee Billy Porter). However, when the ballroom emcee is rushed to the hospital himself after his body rejects his new AZT regimen, house mother Blanca (Mj Rodriguez) and Nurse Judy (Sandra Bernhard) take it upon themselves to ensure the show goes on.
Porter still gets his moment to shine, offering a fantastical rendition of “The Man That Got Away” before dueting with Rodriguez on the episode’s eponymous song by Stevie Wonder. Watch the performance in the clip above.
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The number was one of several in the July 23 episode, written by Brad Flachuk and Our Lady J (seen at the piano) and directed by Tina Mabry. In addition to the Wonder hit and Porter channeling Judy Garland, Tony winner Patti LuPone performed Stephen Sondheim’s Follies anthem “I’m Still Here” as imposing real estate magnate Frederica Norman, and Dominique Jackson, as the confident-if-deluded Electra, sings her own rendition of a Sondheim song: Dick Tracy’s “Sooner or Later.”
Tony winner Porter and Rodriguez first sang together in the show’s first season, singing “Home” from The Wiz. The latter will also sing later this year, starring as Audrey in the Pasadena Playhouse staging of Little Shop of Horrors alongside Be More Chill’s George Salazar and Olivier winner Amber Riley.
