Bernadette in Follies on Sunday. — Page 2

Bernadette's interpretation of the role -- both her singing and her acting -- has definitely changed since the first preview in D.C.

In the first performance, her Sally appeared to be a depressive, rather than bipolar or manic-depressive, as people have aptly described her later in the run. If anything, she under-acted the part (probably because it was the first preview, and she hadn't found her interpretation yet), and that left a hole in the emotional center of the piece. By the end of the run, she had added many, many more layers and bits of actorly business to her performance and was clearly playing up the manic/neurotic aspects of Sally.

Bernadette was also definitely having some vocal issues in the first preview, but her singing was never unattractive and didn't detract from the performance. If anything, combined with the simplicity and unadorned quality of her singing, her slight vocal imperfections added to her sense of vulnerability. Her first "Losing My Mind" was quite touching in its understatement and yet still wonderfully expressive of her character. All of the vocal embellishments to "Losing My Mind" came later on in the run. (Of course, once past the allergy/sinus issues, her tone became richer, so ...)

Bernadette is a professional. She performs at half-mast. That is what old school Broadway babies do. Bernadette in the previews of Gypsy, Ebersole on cold meds at the beginning of the Applause run, Patti in her isotoners, Chita with her ankle taped in A Dancer's Life. It's the business. Not for new performers, but that's how it works for the pros.

Believe me, there would be more fuss in the audience if Bernadette called in rather than sing under the weather. To be honest, much of the audience might be blissfully unaware.

To those of you who bark, "people are paying to hear the songs sung well!", I challenge that. Many people are there specifically to see Bernadette and many of those people are not New York City residents(you who tend to bitch the most) and cannot reschedule when she is better or postpone to a later date. I fall into that category.

Those are the people Bernadette is sucking it up and going out there for. Chita has stated the same thing. She will on stage sick for the one person in the audience that is there to see her whose heart she will touch, even if its a half empty house.

The people who complain here the most are the ones who live in the city, can visit a show numerous times and nitpick the s@#t out of it and compare Bernadette's individual performances. Most of us don't have that luxury.

Also, those bitching should be the most forgiving since they can see her again. However, that is rarely the case.

Cut the woman some slack and show some respect for work ethic. The Karen Olivos and Fantasias of the world could learn a thing or two.

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Bettyboy-AMEN. I was merely making observations about her acting choices. I've never seen her as anything but a consummate professional.

Thank you, Bettyboy.

Her vocals are all a matter of personal taste. I was quite impressed with her vocals in DC. I think her soprano is gorgeous, she really nails some of those notes. Sure, she may have some awkward transitions from chest to head voice, but it doesn't bother me. I truly think she is so invested in this character, and I completely buy it.

I love you, BettyBoy, for making those comments. Bernadette is a treasure and she is truly fantastic in FOLLIES and in every other show I've seen her in - and a true professional.

Oh and to those of you barking in CAPS that she sounded AWFUL! Would you ever say that to a friend or family member who had a sinus infection or something going on (based on the previous post about seeing her assistant with her treatments) and was working through it?

Would you say it to Ms.Peters face?

I'd love to know the work ethic, track record, or acting careers of some of the harsh people on these boards.

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I'd love to know the work ethic, track record, or acting careers of some of the harsh people on these boards.

I never understand comments like this. If the commenter's lack of performance career (or whatever) means their negative comments should be taken with a grain of salt, why is it not the same for positive comments? If a negative opinion is invalid due to a (perceived) lack of qualification, why doesn't the same hold true for a positive one?

I saw Gypsy while BP was being ripped for coughing and throat clearing on stage.

When I studied acting (Back in the 80's) I was taught performers MUST go on if they can and whatever you are going through as a person, you must "use" on stage as the character. That night Madame Rose seemed to be recovering from the flu and you know what-- why wouldn't she be? Traveling around the country, sleeping in tents and crummy hotel rooms? I bet Madame Rose coughed plenty. Peters was wonderful.

Maybe that is what "80's style" acting refers to?

If you pay to see a performance, you are entitled to your opinion of that performance.

Perhaps it's true that Bernadette is sick and hasn't been performing the score to her full potential lately. I don't know, as I haven't seen in on Broadway yet. But it does bother me that people have been saying that even at her best, she can't sing this score. When I saw her on the final weekend in DC, she could absolutely sing the score, and sounded wonderful. Her soprano is lovely, and I think vocally she's wonderfully matched to this role. If she is sick, I hope she recovers soon, but I'd be willing to bet that she's still giving a knockout performance like I saw in DC, if not even a little better, as it seems to be indicated from the response to the Broadway production.

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"
I'd love to know the work ethic, track record, or acting careers of some of the harsh people on these boards.

I never understand comments like this. If the commenter's lack of performance career (or whatever) means their negative comments should be taken with a grain of salt, why is it not the same for positive comments? If a negative opinion is invalid due to a (perceived) lack of qualification, why doesn't the same hold true for a positive one?"

I'm simply wondering how somehow so critical and lacking compassionate manages to look at themselves? Do they hold themselves to such high ideals? I'm imagining not.

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Well, that's not what you said originally. I still disagree with you - I don't think questioning her undeniably fluctuating vocals is somehow some sort of lack of compassion - but that's not what your original comment was implying.

Of course it will. I just object to the more and more common, "Your negative opinion is invalid because of _______, but my positive one is immune from scrutiny because it's positive." The implication is that the negative commentor automatically does NOT have the deeper well to draw from, which I think is silly.