Bernadette Peters went on with the show this weekend.

[DAME]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 4:38pm

As told to me by my friend Mark:
Three weeks after losing her husband (43 year old businessman Michael Wittenberg) in a tragic helicopter crash, Broadway legend Bernadette Peters returned to the spotlight on Saturday night in a concert at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts in Brookville, New York. The concert was scheduled months ago and was designed as a fund raiser for the arts, and Bernadette, though a little shakey, apparently delivered a wonderful performance. She opened the show by singing "Let Me Entertain You" from "Gypsy, and then paused to say: "As many of you know, I experienced a tragedy in my life with the loss of my husband three weeks ago. I felt it was important to keep this concert date for two reasons. One because of all the tickets that were sold and the plans that had been made, but also so I could move on and continue forward for my husband". Bernadette was in tears as she said this, but she quickly re-gained her composure and sang the following songs:
No One Is Alone
Nothing Like A Dame
Fever
The Gentleman Is A Dope
I'm Flying
Unexpected Song (you could tell she was grieving during this one)
Time Heals Everything
Mr. Show
Some Enchanted Evening
Not A Day Goes By
You Could Drive A Person Crazy
With So Little To Be Sure Of
Children Will Listen
Rose's Turn
Count Your Blessings (encore)

She was apparently a little detached from the audience and didn't engage in her usual witty banter between songs, but this is understandable given the difficult circumstances. Her voice was, by all reports, in fine form, and the audience encouraged her with their applause after every number. At the end of the concert, Bernadette stepped out from behind the curtain and said: "Thank you for being such a lovely audience and helping me to take this first step. Thank you."

Updated On: 10/17/05 at 04:38 PM

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 4:41pm

This makes me want to cry. She is so amazing for going on with the show, although I'm sure it did help to be busy. That poor woman. She's amazing and I know there are hundreds of people wishing her well.

[Dame Fanadette]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 4:43pm

She is amazing. This is why so many people love her. She is a great person.

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 4:45pm

Aw, I love Bernadette.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 4:47pm

I adore her.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 4:54pm

I was talking to someone (a BIG Wicked fan) who said how much he loves Eden and can't wait to see her again in Wicked this weekend, I believe.

So I mentioned I was seeing Bernie perform on Saturday, and he said, "What a waste of a day!"

OK - now, Eden is NO Bernadette - in fact Eden I doubt would ever regend the legend status of Bernadette.

I dunno why, but that pissed me off.


Updated On: 10/17/05 at 04:54 PM

[DAME]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 4:57pm

Why would you discuss that on this thread?

[Lorelai]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 4:58pm

Amazing woman. Can't say I'd be able to do the same thing.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 4:59pm

Because y'all like Bernadette, as do I.

I didn't say it!

Hell, I don't even like Eden.

Just a little anecdote

Updated On: 10/17/05 at 04:59 PM

[WhatDoINeedWithLove?]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 4:59pm

Bernadette is a pro. I love that woman.

And not to be rude, but what does Eden have to do with this?

[DAME]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 5:00pm

Yeah..I still don't get it.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 5:00pm

Me neither.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 5:02pm

It has nothing to do with anything. It was just a little story about how Wicked has corrupted our youth (yes, he was a big Wicked fan).

And so I could say I can't wait to see her Saturday!

Oh, I just realized this is a different thread. I thought this was the thread re: 'Whether or not she'd be performing' that has since gone O/T.
Updated On: 10/17/05 at 05:02 PM

[DAME]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 5:04pm

See who? Bernadette? Eden? Your not relating your anecdote well and thats where you lost us.

Oy.. just read yur update... Anyway.. back to Bernadette.

Updated On: 10/17/05 at 05:04 PM

[NYadgal]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 5:05pm

Wow. What an amazing woman.

Brava, Bernadette. And bless you.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 5:05pm

I just edited it.

I'm not all here today. My bad.

[Marquise]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 5:08pm

The consumate professional! What a strong, brave and courageous woman.
She could have cancelled and I think everyone involved would have understood but she chose to go forward and honor a prior commitment in light of her circumstances. She's to be respected. What an unselfish,giving performer. Her "Unexpected Song" is one of my all time favorites. My heart goes out to her.

[umgeoboy]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 5:18pm

Dame, where were you sitting? I was at the concert as well and agree with most of your review.

The one thing I would like to add is about her energy level. I have not seen Bernadette have that much energy on stage in a long time. Her voice never waivered from pitch and had more power then I have heard her sing with in recent years.

It was an incredible concert and I'm glad to see Bernadette moving on with her life.

[BJC899]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 5:18pm

I was there! It was an amazing evening which was very emotional. Most of her song choices were perfect, and she did blow the audience away.

A GREAT concert.

[moljul]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 5:18pm

"Her "Unexpected Song" is one of my all time favorites"

I was at the concert and I have to say her rendition of Unexpected Song that night was magical. Just a few lyrics into the song she closed her eyes and I'm quite sure at that moment the audience no longer existed for her. The performance was not for us but had to have been specifically for Michael. I almost felt like I was watching a private concert just for him. She did quite well but is obviously in a great deal of pain still. It was the first concert of hers I attended where she actually looked like she was working and not just having a very good time. I was suprised she kept all the really emotional songs in her line-up like Not A Day Goes By and Time Heals Everything but when she did sing them she did tend to have a glazed over look on her face. I'm sure it was just too soon to tap into feelings to sing those songs so she just sang them in a detached sort of way. She also seemed to rush through her between song patter. Clearly she was just trying to get through the evening. The only song she cut from her current concert running order was Being Alive and I think that was quite understandable. It was sad to see her up there without that sparkle that so defines her but I was glad to see her back on stage working to get her life back on track and I'm sure that smile and sparkle will eventually return to her.

[DAME]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 5:24pm

umgeoboy,
Re-read my post.

[dotmarie]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 5:58pm

Bernadette... truly a class act. Thanks for the report.

[ticenewyorkcity]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 6:06pm

what an amazing woman she truly is...the pain of losing someone that close never truly goes away and i commend her on taking those "first steps"...i would love to give her a hug and buy her a cocktail and just talk with her

we love you

[enjolrasissex]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 6:12pm

Bravo! She is truly amazing.

[Katecab99]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 6:15pm

LOVE her.