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| Author | Topic: My Aurora Review!! |
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 Colleen
Registered User
Registered:
9/20/2006
From:
Michigan | posted: 5/20/2007 at 7:49:30 PM ET
May 17, 2007
Bernadette Peters--Aurora, IL
Setlist (not in order): Let Me Entertain You, No One is Alone, The Gentleman is a Dope, Unexpected Song, Mister Snow, Not a Day Goes By, Time Heals Everything, With So Little to Be Sure of/Children Will Listen, Some Enchanted Evening, There is Nothing Like a Dame, Fever, You Could Drive a Person Crazy, Being Alive, Move On, Shenandoah, Rose's Turn, Count Your Blessings
The aniticapation was killing me. First, I bought my ticket exactly 6 months before the concert date, so I had such a long and grueling wait. Then I got stuck in Chicago rush hour traffic on the way there (luckily, I left one day early). And then, the day of the actually concert was torture waiting for 8 o'clock to roll around. But once I got to the venue at the beautiful Paramount Theatre it was so exciting to finally get to my seat and feel secure that this was really happening. This was my first experience seeing Ms. Peters live so you can imagine my impatience. Though I only had to wait about 20 minutes once i got to my seat, it was torture. I just kept staring at the stage thinking to myself, "Oh my gosh, she's going to be there right in front of me any minute!" Then the lights went down, Marvin Laird stepped out, and the lovely overture began. Several moments later, the orchestra stopped and over the loudspeaker we hear, "ladies and gentleman, Ms. Bernadette Peters!" and out she walks with that warm smile that just melts your heart. It look a moment or two, but eventually everyone stood and cheered to greet her and she began singing "Let Me Entertain You." I had been waiting for that for so long--when she first emerges from the wings--and even though it was so simple and happened so quickly, I don't think I will ever forget that glorious moment.
Since I was sitting in the second row on the right side, I was pretty close to the stage. And I have to tell you, every time she walked to my side of the stage and looked out in the audience in that generous way that she does, I got chills because every time she would look right at me. Certainly it was just because I was so close, but it was still a thrill because when she does that, she's so sincere and genuine that she makes you feel so special for that second that you are in her eyesight. Since she holds you in her sight for a few moments instead of just running and scanning everyone quickly, you truly feel that she sees you as an individual and cares deeply about getting her message across...be it that children will listen, that we can't complain about the time we're given or that we should count our blessings. You believe what she says and are grateful that she imparted the advice. Oh, and during "Rose's Turn" when she sings, "My name's Rose, what's yours?" she pointed right to me!! Well, I guess she could have been pionting to the gentleman in front of me, but I prefer my first theory so I'll stick with that
I believe the set list was the same as it's been recently. I wish I could remember every wonderful little moment and properly describe it to you all, but it just went by so fast, I can't recall everything and even if I could my words could not possibly give those moments their due. But here were some highlights for me:
"Fever"--Wow, what a smokin' number. I love how she starts snapping her fingers and sashays to the piano and then when she gets near the piano said to the orchestra, "I could use a little help here" and they all joined in. Not sure if this is part of her usual stage banter but it was adorable nonetheless. She was in marvelous voice for this one and just oozed confidence and sensuality. At one point she flips over on her stomach and sings to Marvin which the audience really got a kick out of. It was such fun.
"There Is Nothing Like a Dame"--One of her most delightfully sassy numbers. How can you not adore those little parts when she backs up from the mic and then dances back again with outstretched arms for the chorus. I knew that she went into the audience for this number and I was hoping she would sing to the man sitting next to me but she went to the other side instead. When she sang "There is absolutely nothing like the frame..." she stopped, had the cutest smile on her face and she said "what?" to the man she was singing to because he said something. His reply was "Oh yeah" in this very deep voice. So she had him sing the "of a" parts right before "dame." It was a riot.
"Mister Snow"--One of my favorite songs from the Rodgers and Hammerstein album, I was so glad to hear this one. I don't know how a woman of 59 years can so perfectly convey the excitement of a young woman about to be married for the first time, but she did it perfectly. When she sings/speaks "Well, Mr. Snow, here I am" her delivery was so sweet in its giddiness and genuine happiness, it really struck me and that's one thing I still remember vividly.
"Some Enchanted Evening"--This one gave me multiple chills. It's a gorgeous song on the album, but her live performance seems to be more weighted with drama and urgency. I noticed that she changed the lyrics to say "him/he/his" rather than "her/she/hers" like it is on the album which made it seem more personal. Has she always done this?? Anyway, her delivery of the song was lush and beautiful. And this got one of the most boisterous reactions from the audience.
"Not a Day Goes By"/"Time Heals Everything"--I put these two together because they really seemed to go hand-in-hand here as she performed one right after the other and their obvious thematic similarities. I don't know how she can sing both these songs back-to-back when they are so vocally and especially emotionally challenging, but she does it perfectly of course. "Not a Day Goes By" had a particularly memorable performance that was incredibly moving. There were so many emotions going on in this one that were clearly visible on her face and voice--sadness, anger, regret. It was just astonishing. After the song she was a bit shaken up and when she gave her little intro for "Time Heals Everything" her voice was much softer and quieter than it was for the rest of the show. And she simply nailed "Time Heals Everything"...another beautiful song that clearly touched the audience.
"Rose's Turn"--Okay, it's probably a bit cliché, but this one was definitely my favorite of the night. I was a little nervous she wasn't going to perform it for some reason, but toward the end of the show I noticed the black heels and sweater near the piano so all was well. Her intro was adorable because she said something like, "It's been so wonderful performing for you and spending this time with you, but let's talk about Gypsy" (followed by audience cheering). I loved it! She then put on her sweater and shoes and immediately became Rose. I can't tell you how thrilling it was for me to see her perform this song as it was her Tony performance that first blew me away and converted me into a Bernadette fan for life. Her work was just stellar here...full of the passion, anger, hurt, resentment that is expected for this number. I already mentioned the part where she pointed at me (thrill of my life!). The audience of course immediately leapt from their seats and cheered and cheered. And she thanked us and then asked that we sit down, because she didn't want to leave us "on that note" and went into a terrific reading of "Count Your Blessings."
Then, it was suddenly over and she disappeared behing the stage curtain. I still can't quite believe that this all happened right in front of my eyes. It was the most exhilarating night of my life and now I can't wait to see her again. I just love how Ms. Peters has so many facets to her stage presence...she's sexy, vivacious, glamorous, down-to-earth, vulnerable, fearless, etc. And these many traits are what make her song interpretations so amazingly layered and just mindblowing in their complexity. This is certainly an experience that I will cherish for life.
|  moljul
Registered User
Registered:
4/2/2001
From:
New York
Fav. BP CD: I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
Fav. BP Song: Dublin Lady
| posted: 5/20/2007 at 8:22:32 PM ET
Really Wonderful Review!
"Particular mention must be made of Bernadette Peters, who turns up briefly in a sort of sparkly Glinda the Good costume. She's the reluctant muse sent to help Alice with her writing. The muse is dressed like Oz, sounds like Queens and behaves like a bored student adviser." Alice Film Review, The New York Times, December 25, 1990
"I'm one star away from Dolly Parton ... and Raymond Massey is between us. I hope we don't suffocate him." Bernadette Peters receiving her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, April 24, 1987
|  leebee
Registered User
Registered:
1/19/2004
Fav. BP Song: Being Alive
Fav. BP Show: Sunday In The Park With George
| posted: 5/20/2007 at 10:53:30 PM ET
Superb. So great that you got to see a full fledged Bernadette concert, instead of the truncated kind we sometimes get with local symphony "pops" concerts.
| Colleen
Registered User
Registered:
9/20/2006
From:
Michigan | posted: 5/21/2007 at 12:38:58 AM ET
quote:
Superb. So great that you got to see a full fledged Bernadette concert, instead of the truncated kind we sometimes get with local symphony "pops" concerts.
You have no idea how nervous I was that this was going to be the case. Even though it didn't say anywhere she was performing with a local symphony, I was still unsure. But luckily she performed a full show and I was just over the moon about it...obviously
|  Colrodia
Registered User
Registered:
9/19/2006
From:
South Korea
Fav. BP Song: Take me to the world, We'll start the party again
Fav. BP Character: Bailey Lewis in Bobbie's Girl. Because Bailey is so kind!!
Fav. BP Show: Sunday in the park with George
| posted: 5/21/2007 at 11:33:39 AM ET
Wow!!
That is so great!!
I envy you so much! haha
I want to see Ms.Peters's performance.
You gotta be a original.
Because if you're like someone else,
What do they need you for?
|  broadwaybaby20
Registered User
Registered:
3/25/2007
From:
Chicago, Il | posted: 5/21/2007 at 6:03:48 PM ET
Great review Colleen. I was at that concert too and it was absolutely wonderful. I also couldn't believe that I was there to witness that event. It was all too cool. All the songs were awesome and she sang them beautifully. She was very beautiful, funny, great... on the stage. It was a great concert.
| Anonymous
Anonymous Poster
From Internet Network:
65.26.157.x | posted: 8/12/2007 at 11:10:45 AM ET
Hey! My whole family is going to Bernadette's concert in Cincinnati this Saturday, and we can't wait! I was just wondering if anyone can tell me how long the concert usually goes. We want to do dinner afterward and need to make reservations.
Thanks
| Scottie
Registered User
Registered:
3/6/2006
From:
Edinburgh, Scotland | posted: 8/12/2007 at 11:29:35 AM ET
Colleen, what a lovely revue, thank you for sharing 
as Bernadette says....just keep moving on.....
|  Jeny
Registered User
Registered:
7/26/2005
From:
The burbs of Chi-Town
Fav. BP Song: No One Is Alone
Fav. BP Show: Sunday.../AGYG/Gypsy
Fav. BP Character: Dot/Marie, Annie Oakley, Rose
Fav. BP CD: I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
| posted: 8/12/2007 at 10:39:27 PM ET
If I'm not mistaken, usually Bernadette's portion of the show lasts about an hour to an hour fifteen. Since this is a benefit event, though, the length of the evening will depend on what, if anything, the organization running the concert wants to do pre-show: speakers or presentations or the like.
I'm going too, so I'll see you there!
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