Bernadette Peters & Lea Salonga to Lead Sondheim’s OLD FRIENDS On Broadway in 2025 — Page 4

This is sort of disappointing. These are all great talents but I was hopeful this was going to be filled with Broadway stars the way the West End version was filled with some West End heavy hitters. I sort of don't understand what the point is... but it'll probably be a lovely show.

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spicemonkey said: "Bette's Turban said: "She had vocal issues throughout the entire London run. I think she is forgiven alot in her concert turns. It’s still fun to see her."

Her vocal has been declining since Annie Get Your Gun sadly. But it’s still a huge privilege to see her perform live on the stage!"

Agreed.

I watched Bernadette more times in Old Friends than I care to admit to - and I'll tell you her vocal performance varied so much it's impossible for me to disagree or agree with any criticism because it's all right. At her worst, Bernadette's voice was so bad (clearly sick) she could not sing on pitch or even hold the last note of "Losing My Mind" and instead said "my mind, my mind, my mind" 3 times. She looked uncomfortable and I was uncomfortable - I realise this is the purpose of understudies and Bernadette probably shouldn't be performing. There were other periods where she just wasn't quite there especially early previews but then periods of time where she was on fire.

At her best Bernadette's "Send in the Clowns" was just as good as it was in the production itself (and is my favourite take on the material), her "Losing My Mind" has a certain vulnerability that no one else has, the opening of "Broadway Baby" was sexy/soulful and "Gotta Get a Gimmick" was a riot. Bernadette singing "Not a Day Goes By" to Sondheim himself was very special too, but I will forever cherish Bernadette doing "Sunday" and hearing her do some of those spoken and sung lines in character with an incredible ensemble of singers around her. I tended to alternate between whether I'd cry after "Sunday" or the end choral "Being Alive".

But I did think Bernadette was much stronger in the London concert recently - 8 performances a week might be taxing on the voice and Bernadette is clearly the co-star of 'Old Friends' with a lot of singing and dancing. I found it very impressive for her age and a joy to watch. And of course you're watching more than just a performer. It's a bit like a nostalgic throw back to an era that is almost gone, and a funeral/celebration for Sondheim himself. I would trade a bit of vocal health for the context.

There aren't many voices that survive till age 76. Patti's voice is the only person I can think of. Everyone else it kind of goes by then (think Betty Buckley, Elaine Stritch, Angela Lansbury, Chita Rivera etc.).

I died a little inside when I heard someone say "I loved the show except for the woman with the weird voice". It is what it is. I love her weird voice, even now. As soon as I heard it in 'Sunday' I was addicted to it and all I want to do is celebrate it while we still have it.

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Updated On: 10/22/24 at 01:30 PM

Sondheim also liked leather .. so there!!!!

Love that David Harris will be in the cast.Woof.It’s time for him to leave Moulin Rouge.

Updated On: 10/22/24 at 01:43 PM

Maybe it's too early to tell but are Bernadette and Lea above the title in this New York production?

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I was hoping for Jac Yarrow to take the trip across the pond, but alas, no. I am thrilled to se Bonnir Langford will still be with the show, she is a bundle of likable Talent!!!I

It'll be interesting to see all the comparisons of the two Mama Roses that will be in town simultaneously. I thought Lea was terrific in London and at the time thought that if anyone was planning a full production of Gypsy, she'd be a great choice. Oh well.

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There was some question as to who or how many of the London cast might be coming across the pond to do ''Old Friends,'' and now we know. Maybe British stars, like Joanna Riding, a two-time Olivier Award winner, are a much bigger deal there than in NYC, but they're still worth noting. Bonnie Langford is celebrated for her lifetime on the London stage. But she made her Broadway debut in 1974 as Baby June at age 10, opposite Angela Lansbury, in ''Gypsy,'' and even got a Drama Desk nomination for it. When she sings ''I'm Still Here'' in NYC, it'll be over 50 years since that debut, and boy, will she mean it!

At the same time, I'm happy for American actors, like Ryan McCartan, who are joining the show and will get to share the stage with legends like Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga. I'm especially excited for Kevin Earley, whose Broadway credits include ''Les Miserables,'' ''Thoroughly Modern Millie'' and ''A Tale of Two Cities.'' In 2011, he starred Off-Broadway in Maury Yeston's ''Death Takes a Holiday,'' and like his co-star, Matt Cavenaugh, earned a Drama Desk nomiination. To me, both are terrifically talented guys with the voice, looks and acting chops who shpold've been bigger names on Broadway. Why they haven't been ... I guess that's showbiz. But at least Earley is making his way back to the Great White Way in "Old Friends'' after a 17-year absence.

Updated On: 10/23/24 at 01:28 PM

Does anyone know when tickets for this go on sale to the public? I keep looking, but I see no info.



I'm hoping to get two tickets for this in April when we go to see Hugh Jackman at Radio City. My fiancee is originally from the Philippines, and one of her dreams has been to see Lea Salonga perform live. She is jealous of me that I have seen her 4 times over the years, starting with seeing her in the West End Miss Saigon back in 1990 when I was 12-years-old. (And yes, I probably was too young to be seeing that show.) So, I want to surprise her with tickets for Christmas this year.



I'm sure they'll be on sale by then, I just haven't heard any word and was wondering.

SisterGeorge said: "It'll be interesting to see all the comparisons of the two Mama Roses that will be in town simultaneously. I thought Lea was terrific in London and at the time thought that if anyone was planning a full production of Gypsy, she'd be a great choice. Oh well."


Lea Salonga STOPS the show singing Gypsy. Absolutely spine tingling. Her voice is amazing still .. Bernadette, not so much. Just a gurgle left.

I saw it in London. For a Sondheim tribute, it really doesn't get much better than this. Peters sounded fine when I saw her and Lea's voice was tremendous. I won't ruin the Sunday In The Park moment but I nearly teared up when it happened which is something I rarely do. The worst thing though is Janie Dee opting out of the transfer. She's amazing in it, but as she said in her cabaret show in Edinburgh this summer, she feels that flying across the pond would add to the carbon footprint which she's very serious about. And to a degree while this may be true and noble in intent, that plane is leaving if she's on it or not. It's a pity that no one in the state will likely see her again as her rendition of "The Boy From" is hilarious, though you can watch it on YouTube. Beth Leavel is a perfect replacement for her. Long story short, I really do recommend it.

I really admire Janie if that’s her stance. Good for her, what an example she sets.

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Of course they can easily change the song assignments, but assuming everything will be the same as London I'd think that Beth Leavel is taking the Clare Burt track (with Ladies Who Lunch as her main solo) and Kate Jennings Grant is taking the Janie Dee track.