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| Author | Topic: Broadway Barks Because Broadway Cares |
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 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: 11/10/2009 at 10:33:00 AM ET
This will be a long account but I'm assuming this board is the only place I can go into this much detail and have it appreciated. Hope I don't overdo it.
I made a bit of a last minute decision to attend last night's special benefit concert. It's not something this now long unemployed person should have done but boy, am I glad I decided to go. First the sightings. Celebrities: Joel Grey, former in-laws Andrea Martin and Martin Short arrived together, Arthur Laurents, Phyllis Newman and Amanda Green, Fran and Barry Weissler and Michael Urie. They were the ones I saw but many, including Bernadette, reported Stephen Sondheim, Hugh Jackman, Daniel Craig and I'm sure lots of others. I saw Donna, Bernadette's sister arrive, in a very sparkly cocktail/evening wear type coat. Later she had removed the coat and was wearing a very nice, sleeveless, little black dress. I know Bernadette has the young and sexy 61 year old category covered but kudos to Donna for representing the smokin' 70 year olds well.
Board Sightings: I had a chance to visit with Chip during intermission. Sister Rose I saw from afar and Mandy I saw riding up the escalator. Sorry I didn't catch either of you later. I also saw another board member who I think goes by the screen name Rose. You have posted many wonderful pictures of you and Bernadette. I'm assuming you know who I mean.
Now for the show. Just an amazing, special and once in a life time evening. The audience was electric. There is something about Bernadette doing a concert in front of a NYC crowd. It just knocks things up several notches. Nothing Like a Dame was a bit bawdier, Fever got several more and louder cat calls and several numbers received absolutely thunderous applause. Just the lights going down to signify the concert was starting garnered several minutes of enthusiastic applause and yells.
The Into the Woods opening was very funny. MTM with two male escorts and Bernadette with her own "boys" arrived on stage via the theaterical elevators in the stage. Bernadette was in a black floor length cape and between that and the significant height difference between she and everyone else on stage (besides Meryl Louise), she looked about 9 years old. Mary started out with Once Upon a Time in a far off land, known as Queens ... and she proceeded to tell the story of a young girl who only wanted to help people and animals. There were funny moments like MTM saying "the girl was of fair skin and heart" and Bernadette sort of breaking character to say "oh, thank you". Original cast members Joy Franz, Lauren Mitchell and Kay McClelland were on hand and sang pretty much the same lines they sing to Cinderella about going to the ball but it was how it was wrong and ridiculous for Bernadette to help the animals. Then came the witch from next door. Bernadette pulled the hood of her cape over her head and inserted something into her mouth (maybe someone can clarify what it was) that I assume altered her teeth a bit so she could become the witch. Then it was a rather funny scene watching Bernadette go back and forth between the witch and the girl, pulling the hood off and taking out the teeth. Once Bernadette started one of the lines of the witch without getting back into her witch "costume" and had to pull the hood up and start the line over. I'm pretty sure that was planned but with Bernadette's perfect comic timing it looked like an honest oversight. She did the entire witch's rap and told how Bernadette's father had stolen her beans but when announcing she had put a curse on Bernadette's family tree the line was extended to be "that you family tree would always be a barren one ... and you will never have a dog ... or smell puppy breath". Cue to MTM as the narrator in a sad voice " but you haven't lived until you have smelled puppy breath." Then the girl went to the grave of her mother (Merle Louise recreating the role of Cindrella's mother) to ask her what to do. Anyway, you see how it goes. It ended with everyone singing the refrain of Into the Woods as two fo the "boys" helped Bernadette off with her cape and she joined the line in a beautiful Bob Mackie lavender dress. She thanked everyone but saved MTM for last and talked about how they had created Broadway Barks together. Mary praised Bernadette for all the hard work she does planning the event every year and saving dogs from shelters. Then Bernadette had the orchestra play and the audience joined in singing Who Can Turn the World on With Her Smile to Mary.
Then the concert really began. I'm not good at remembering set lists but I know she started with Another Hundred People, then No One Is Alone, In Buddy's Eyes, Losing My Mind (very emotional). Bernadette was very relaxed on stage making a joke that she almost fell into the hole where the elevator was, and getting a little mixed up once whether she needed her microphone stand or not and finally casting it aside in a very funny manner. The song from The Most Happy Fella was followed by a funny story about how Bernadette's mother stole Bernadette's costume to take out the fake boobs that were in the costume which she felt was very inappropriate for her 11 year old daughter to wear. Wasn't this the same show that a reviewer made a very inappropriate comment about Bernadette's behind too? What is with this show. It was funny because Bernadette said she was so upset that her mom had done this because she had not boobs at the time and then followed it up with a well delivered "yes, there was a time when I had no boobs".
When she started to talk about Gypsy I assumed she was leading up to Rose's Turn but instead she did Some People. I was so surprised and happy to see her perform this again in concert and Rose's Turn was done later as her first encore. I was most blown away by her performance of Children and Art. She sat in a chair with a blanket over her lap and a shawl around her that completely covered the sparkly Bob Mackie dress and with just some spectacles and an abundance of amazing acting she was immediately transformed into 98 year old Marie from Sunday in the Park With George. I had quite a good seat but brought along my opera glasses to use a few times to watch her face close up during songs. Well I ended up watching all of Children and Art through my opera glasses. It just took my breath away and the moment it was over, I could only think how badly someone needs to get this woman into a play or musical in a really juice character part where she plays someone twice her age and needs to look 3 or 4 times older because she would just blow the theater community away. I've always thought Bernadette was a magnificent actor but then you experience these moments when you are just astounded by that very fact.
The second act opened with adoptable dogs from BARC shelter and the Human Society. Bernadette knew each dog's name and many gave her kisses. The orchestra played March of the Siamese Children from the King and I which was really funny and effective. Then Bernadette sang a little bit about a few of the animals much like she did for Biggie on Regis and Kelly.
More amazing songs followed and she closed with Kramer's Song after which her "inspiration for the song", Kramer, himself, was brought out on stage loving the applause as he always does. He then proceeded to take Bernadette on a little walk around the stage and then she waved goodbye and the night was over. I was hoping we might get a preview of Stella's Song from her upcoming book but it was all about Kramer.
I was also very glad that stunning photo used for the promotion was turned into an event poster available for sale.
Well I'm sure that's enough for now. Hope this gave a little taste to those who weren't able to make it and maybe those who did can add on their own experience.
"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: 11/10/2009 at 12:34:23 PM ET
Wow! Plenty of song "rarities" for us devoted fans, looks like an amazing night. Now I have to hear Children and Art as soon as I get home.
|  Rose
Registered User
Registered:
9/28/2003
From:
NY
Fav. BP Song: No One Is Alone and Some People
Fav. BP Show: Gypsy
Fav. BP Character: Rose/The Witch
Fav. BP CD: Gypsy
| posted: 11/10/2009 at 3:28:10 PM ET
It was a truly beautiful and amazing evening.
http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Bernadette_Peters_Concert_Raises_615000_to_Benefit_Broadway_Barks_and_BCEFA_20091110
"Oh no, you won't. No, not a chance. No arguements, shut up and dance." -You'll Never Get Away From Me
"And if it wasn't for me then where would you be Miss Gypsy Rose Lee?" -Rose's Turn
|  Christine-NYC
Registered User
Registered:
3/23/2002
From:
New York City
Fav. BP Song: With So Little to be Sure Of
Fav. BP Show: Gypsy
Fav. BP Character: Marie (insert last name) lol There's a few
Fav. BP CD: Bernadette Peters Loves Rogers and Hammerstein
| posted: 11/10/2009 at 3:32:02 PM ET
I have seen her in concert quite a few times over the past 8 or 9 years, and I can honestly say without doubt, that was my absoulte favorite. Up until now, it's been the Radio City concert for me; but this was even better. What a night.
So many moments actually had me grinning like a newbie who has never seen her perform.
<3CMH<3
|  Alexa
Registered User
Registered:
9/23/2007
From:
Los Angeles
Fav. BP Character: Rutanya Wallace (Tulips)
Fav. BP Show: Sunday in the Park with George
Fav. BP Song: With So Little To Be Sure Of
| posted: 11/10/2009 at 3:52:02 PM ET
Thanks for sharing that, I was really curious what this whole "Into the Woods" thing was going to be. I'm also very glad to hear she did more Sondheim songs, maybe some of them will make it into her other concerts soon. 
|  Seachange
Registered User
Registered:
9/24/2009
Fav. BP Song: No One Is Alone
Fav. BP CD: Sondheim Etc.
| posted: 11/10/2009 at 5:26:18 PM ET
OMG....you are all so lucky to have seen it. It sounds wonderful.....thanks for the detailed recap for those of us on the other side of the world.
I'm so disappointed as a new BP concert has been announced for NYC on May 28.....I'm not getting there until June 30 so doubt there will be another one. :-(
However "Broadway Barks 12" scheduled for July 10.....BIG YAY - will still be pounding the NYC streets! Gotta be happy with that. :-D
| Christine-NYC
Registered User
Registered:
3/23/2002
From:
New York City
Fav. BP Song: With So Little to be Sure Of
Fav. BP Show: Gypsy
Fav. BP Character: Marie (insert last name) lol There's a few
Fav. BP CD: Bernadette Peters Loves Rogers and Hammerstein
| posted: 11/11/2009 at 10:43:50 AM ET
Photos on BroadwayWorld.com
http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo_Coverage_Bernadette_Peters_A_Special_Concert_In_Performance_at_the_Minskoff_Theatre_20091111
<3CMH<3
| leebee
Registered User
Registered:
1/19/2004
Fav. BP Song: Being Alive
Fav. BP Show: Sunday In The Park With George
| posted: 11/11/2009 at 10:52:15 AM ET
Kramer is such a ham.
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