Bernadette- Page 2

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 11:17pm

Partly the reason why critics were dead set against Bernadette. I think people went into the show thinking the part was too big for her and just couldn't see past it.

While, in my opinion, I think it was her best performance yet. How people said the role was too big for her I will not understand.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 11:45pm

I've read that the reason Peters didn't get a nomination for INTO THE WOODS was because everyone in the theater community knew that she was playing the part mostly as a favor to Sondheim and Lapine since they couldn't find anyone to play the Witch and the show had to start rehearsals. Sondheim never thought to ask her because at that point he didn't think she'd play a role in an ensemble piece.
Either way, Peters would make an ideal Elise in THE FIRST WIVES CLUB. It's time to see her originate a role instead of a revival.

[moljul]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 12:59pm

FAOnatic,

Bernadette is actually one of the few actresses who can definitely sell tickets on just her name. I think you really underestimate her draw. There was a huge advance sale for Gypsy ($10 million comes to mind but I might be remembering wrong) and ticket sales continually broke all sorts of Box Office records through 2003 (you can confirm that through the Playbill Weekly Grosses and perhaps the advance too). The only time it really dipped was when Bernadette was out. Sales did drop off significantly after the holidays and I guess with their running costs they couldn't keep it open past May 2004. Though I think 14 months is still a pretty respectably run for a musical that is revived every 10-15 years on Broadway, has two readily available film versions and is done in countless regional and community theaters.

[Urban]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 1:37pm

You know I just for some reason see her more as Brenda then Elise.

[madbrian]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 1:51pm

I agree that she is more a Brenda than an Elise. I completely agree that she should be creating roles rather than recreating them. As for the question of what current role would suit her best, I think Debra Monk's part in Curtains would be best.

[sondheimboy2]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 1:53pm

Bernadette has played Tammy Faye Baker before in a early TV movie from the late '80s.

Though, I would sell my mother to the Arabs to hear her sing "Another Winter in a Summer Town"...

[Fenchurch]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 3:21pm

Why would anyone want here in anything? She can't sing!

Hair alone does not sell tickets.

[Pippin]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 3:22pm

.........uncalled for. to each his/her own.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 3:46pm

Disregard Fenchurch.

He has dubious taste to say the least.

[HughE2030]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 3:47pm

I love her!! The last time I spoke with her, at a Donna Karen event in November, she said she has no plans to return to the boards at all. Of course she said it in the sweetest way, because she's a total class act!!
Confessions of a Paparazzi