Betty Buckley in Song and Dance

I would have loved to see both Bernadette and Betty in this piece. The part is such a tour de force for a musical theatre actress. So wonderful that they are still around, both taking on another great female lead role.

I did not see Betty Buckley in the role -- as I remember, it closed pretty quickly after Peters left -- but I did see BP and Marti Webb, who originated the role in London. I am a big fan of BP, but -- Tony award or not -- she paled in comparison to Marti Webb, who was so perfect in the role. Coincidentally, I listened to the London recording within the past 72 hours, probably the first time I have heard it in 2 - 3 years, and it is so much better than the mediocre NY version. It was recorded live, which really added to the enjoyment of what was essentially a one-person concert that happened to tell a story. (I can't remember if the BP version was live).

I would encourage you to see try to get a copy of the original London Cast recording. Marti is great in the Song portion and the Dance portion is so much more thrilling than the Broadway version, which was too 'homogenized' for me.

It was Gemma Graven. Probably best known for play Bob Hoskin's wife in Pennies from Heaven.

Gemma was also a fantastic Nellie Forbush in London!

Sarah Brightman sang a very nice Song & Dance too. Sorry, never saw BB, but was never keen on the lyric re-writes.

I saw her in the show, but I was very disappointed. Not her fault, but I knew the score with Bernadette singing it off by heart, but I couldn't get to NY soon enough and I missed her doing it.

From what I can remember, Betty did a fine job. The only things that bothered me about her performance were the things that still bother me to this day. As much as I admire and respect her talent, her voice is very abrasive at times. It's not a "pretty" sound. And the whole time I kept thinking I was seeing "the replacement", which didn't help matters.

No problems stood out, she did it exactly as I would have imagine Bernadette - but I felt ripped off. These days, I would go see a show on purpose to see the replacement, but back then all I cared about was seeing the person who originated the role.

I've seen and enjoyed Betty on stage in many things, Gypsy at Paper Mill and Sunset on Bway are the standouts for me. Also I worked with her on something years later and unfortunately, the stories I'd heard were true, at least that day - she was very, very difficult and demanding.

I was lucky enough to see both actresses play the part. I really liked Betty, but she came across older where Bernadette seem still young and naive enough that made it more believable. Betty has an amazing belt and it was very strong. Maybe too strong? I actually at one point had a recording of her in the show. Wish I still had it.

I saw Betty and she sang the hell out of the role...very different than BP who I also saw..

huge fan of both....so great for me lol

That's very nice of you J Bradshaw. I would love it.

Auggie27 said: "They had trouble costuming her, infamously, and you could tell."



BALDERDASH

An incredibly clear, crisp version of her audio is now up on that site. (It's a full hour, not just selected songs.) She sounds fantastic.

cliffordbradshaw2 said: "Betty Buckley in "Song and Dance"--at her vocal peak and in great sound:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeXtP-1TOho&t=1s



Also in fine sound: Betty Buckley in "Dear World" in London, 2013

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSwsuazbgRw&t=1s"

As much as I love La Buckley she comes off exceedingly shrill on "Song & Dance".

Thanks for posting the links!

I agree it's thrilling to hear but I agree, she's a bit miscast. She's gesturing towards the naivete and fragility, but Betty reads dignified and intelligent onstage, and you don't buy she'd keep putting up with this treatment.

Lovely to hear it, though. I so vastly prefer this version of TELL ME ON A SUNDAY. Emma actually has a name! And career ambitions! Cares about more than men and a green card! Imagine! It's a shame it's no longer licensable (though it wasn't ever separate from the dance portion). I've long wanted to do it.