Did anyone see OLD FRIENDS when Bernadette was out?

[meredithchandler73]

Posted: 6/20/25 at 12:38pm

I saw a social media post somewhere that Bernadette was out of the show recently. Maybe it was last night or the night before? I am SOOO curious how the show went! Can anyone report? It seems Bonnie Langford covers a lot of Bernadette's songs with a few exceptions: Beth Leavel sings Children Will Listen, Send in the Clowns, and Losing My Mind. Kate Jennings Grant does the Dot stuff for Sunday. And Lea Salonga does Miss Mazeppa in Gotta Get a Gimmick.

As far as I know, that would have been the first and only time she has been out of the show from the four-month run in the West End, the one-month run at the Ahmanson, and the past two months on Broadway.

 

[binau]

Posted: 6/20/25 at 12:58pm

Also, how do they do the opening entrances. Does Lea walk out alone?? If Beth walks out what exactly did she say?

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 6/20/25 at 1:13pm

I saw it when Lea was out and Bernadette said Lea was under the weather but Lea would be her co-host for the evening. I would imagine it was something similar with Bernadette being out.

[Kimbo]

Posted: 6/20/25 at 4:13pm

n2nbaby said: "I saw it when Lea was out and Bernadette said Lea was under the weather but Lea would be her co-host for the evening. I would imagine it was something similar with Bernadette being out."

I don’t get this at all. If one of the stars is out the other one comes out and says their co-star can’t be there but will be their “co-host” for the evening, like they’re still there in spirit?
 

That sounds not only idiotic but borderline offensive. (Also reinforces why as much as I love Sondheim and Salonga and Bernadette I’ve had little interest in this show.)

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 6/20/25 at 4:16pm

Kimbo said: "n2nbaby said: "I saw it when Lea was out and Bernadette said Lea was under the weather but Lea would be her co-host for the evening. I would imagine it was something similar with Bernadette being out."

I don’t get this at all. If one of the stars is out the other one comes out and says their co-star can’t be there but will be their “co-host” for the evening, like they’re still there in spirit?


That sounds not only idiotic but borderline offensive. (Also reinforces why asmuch as I love Sondheim and Salonga and Bernadette I’ve had little interest in this show.)"

I think this must have been a typo because when Lea was out Bernadette came out with Beth and said Beth would be filling in for Lea as "co-host" 

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 6/20/25 at 6:02pm

Yes, I’m sorry. I forgot to say Beth, my bad lol

[ACL2006]

Posted: 6/20/25 at 9:53pm

Bernadette was out again tonight.

[tomwsjr]

Posted: 6/21/25 at 11:21am

Bernadette is out today (Saturday). 

[binau]

Posted: 6/21/25 at 11:27am

😭😭😭😭😭😭😭. I’m getting worried. Please get well soon, Bernadette. 

[JackiesBroJoe]

Posted: 6/21/25 at 12:29pm

I heard she is ill with laryngitis. It is true she has not missed a performance in 20 years. Get well soon!! 

[PridelandsNYC]

Posted: 6/21/25 at 2:25pm

I saw it! Bonnie and Lea entered together. Bonnie introduced herself and explained that Bernadette was out and she would be stepping in. She shared that she had also worked with Sondheim...when she was Baby June opposite Angela Lansbury! The audience was with her from that moment on and she was wonderful. She's got a loveable Gwen Verdon quality. The highlights for me were Beth singing "Send In the Clowns" (beautifully acted and heartbreaking) and Lea as a hilariously deadpan Mazeppa. At one point in the middle of it, she said "Bernadette, please get well soon!"

[binau]

Posted: 6/21/25 at 2:40pm

That sounds very special! Thanks!

[meredithchandler73]

Posted: 6/23/25 at 10:21am

PridelandsNYC said: "I saw it! Bonnie and Lea entered together. Bonnie introduced herself and explained that Bernadette was out and she would be stepping in.Sheshared that she had also worked with Sondheim...when she was Baby June opposite Angela Lansbury! The audience was with her from that moment on and she was wonderful. She's got a loveable Gwen Verdon quality. The highlights for me were Beth singing "Send In the Clowns" (beautifully acted and heartbreaking) and Lea as a hilariously deadpan Mazeppa. At one point in the middle of it, she said "Bernadette, please get well soon!""

Thank you for the report! I was betting that it would be Bonnie doing the opening with Lea. Bernadette has lines about being lucky enough to have worked with Sondheim and seeing his genius first-hand. Bonnie Langford's history with Sondheim actually goes farther back than Bernadette's (playing Baby June opposite Angela Lansbury in the first Broadway revival of GYPSY).

I would have loved to see these women's takes on all of Bernadette's songs! But I also hope that Bernadette is feeling better and can finish off the run.

[bluetuna]

Posted: 6/24/25 at 10:01pm

Saw the "Hello, Dolly!" concert last night, and Jennifer Simard was a surprise addition to the listed cast (singing "Hello, Dolly!") due to Beth apparently testing positive for Covid yesterday morning.  Seems unlikely Beth will be in again with that news.

[binau]

Posted: 6/25/25 at 8:16am

So is Bernadette back again?

[Art Isn’t Easy]

Posted: 6/25/25 at 9:20am

Bernadette was back last night! Beth was out - Kate Jennings Grant sang Little Things You Do Together, Joanna Riding took on Ladies Who Lunch (an excellent rendition, I loved the way she built throughout the number) and Paige Faure went on as Tessie Tura during Gimmick. 

Updated On: 6/25/25 at 09:20 AM

[TankNYC1969]

Posted: 6/27/25 at 3:26pm

Beth Leavel was back in the show last night (Thursday 6/26) and she was in great voice.

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/29/25 at 11:39pm

I finally got to see this yesterday before it closed. Bernadette still seemed to be recovering from her recent illness. She also seemed a bit low energy, but I am always happy to see her on stage.  Salonga clearly walks away with the show, though. She is a powerhouse.

 
I’m not usually a fan of revues, but this was much better than I expected. It blew away the forgettable and bland “Prince of Broadway.” And while “Sondheim on Sondheim” was unique and had a narrative, the odd orchestrations and arrangements really put a damper on that show in hindsight. 
Old Friends sounded absolutely glorious, what an orchestra, and what a treat to hear the original orchestrations of these  songs. 
I also didn’t expect to be brought to tears by the touching photo tribute to Sondheim during “Not a Day Goes By.” 
My only mild criticism is that the transition from show to show and even song to song could be jarring at times. It certainly is an evening of greatest hits, but it would’ve been nice to hear something from Pacific Overtures. The only real surprise (song wise) of the evening was Bernadette singing the title song of Bounce. 
 
Overall, what a sleek, well designed, glorious sounding tribute with wonderful performances. 

Updated On: 6/29/25 at 11:39 PM

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 6/30/25 at 3:11am

Bernadette & Lea say 'so long' to 'Old Friends'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg7XuVKsu1I