Search - Bernadette Peters :: Legends of Broadway (Dig)

Bravo, Bernadette!

Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 04/12/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bernadette Peters represents a glimpse of the "golden age" musical theatre diva, but in a decidedly more contemporary light. During her career on stage she has played some of the best female musical roles, and originated parts in two of Stephen Sondheim's greatest works.



Audiences first noticed Bernadette Off-Broadway in 1968, where she played Ruby in the charming 1930s musical parody DAMES AT SEA. From there, she was saucer-eyed silent actress Mabel Normand in the original cast of Jerry Herman's MACK AND MABEL (her rendition of "Time Heals Everything" is yet to be bettered).



In the 1980s, Bernadette zig-zagged her way between exciting musicals from Andrew Lloyd Webber (SONG AND DANCE, in which she nabbed her first Tony Award); and Stephen Sondheim (SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE and INTO THE WOODS). Peters has always been particularly associated with the works of Sondheim, so much so that she was the perfect choice to play Fay Apple in a concert revival of his cult flop favourite, ANYONE CAN WHISTLE.



The late nineties brought Peters her second Tony Award for a well-received revival of ANNIE GET YOUR GUN (the show continued for several years with a slew of replacements, the best of the bunch being a very surprising Reba McEntire). In 2003, Peters took on the demanding Mama Rose in GYPSY, earning another Tony nomination, yet the production received mixed reviews and closed with little fanfare.



Constantly touring with her concert shows and also active within the animal rights community (she founded Broadway Barks! with Mary Tyler Moore); let's hope that Ms Peters doesn't leave it too long before returning to the Broadway musical stage. This disc is the perfect reason why she's regarded as a true Legend of Broadway.



For ease of collecting, this disc features tracks drawn from the following albums:

Annie Get Your Gun (1999 Broadway Revival Cast)

Gypsy (2003 Broadway Revival Cast)

Dames At Sea (1968 Original Off-Broadway Cast)

Into the Woods (1987 Original Broadway Cast)

Sunday in the Park with George (1984 Original Broadway Cast)

Song & Dance: The Songs - Original Broadway Cast Recording

Anyone Can Whistle - Live at Carnegie Hall (1995 Broadway Concert Cast)

Sondheim, Etc.: Bernadette Peters Live At Carnegie Hall"