One of her apparent dream roles that I'd pay big bucks to see! A few other nice anecdotes about her relationship with Sondheim and Sondheim musicals here:
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
I'd be interested only if she learned to project as far as her microphone.
I love her voice and have enjoyed her on various recordings, but many people who have seen her live will report to you that she can't be heard in a theater. It has been so bad that on the two or three occasions I did venture to a show she was in, I went to the Sound Engineer complaining that she couldn't be heard. All three times, I was informed by the Sound Engineer that this was a note given to her daily. She just refused to do her job – to be heard.
Sorry, Ms. Murphy, I was a huge fan, but after dropping hundreds of dollars to see you live in various productions and always finding myself barely - if at all - able to hear you, I'm confused why you still work in live theater.
For the record, my hearing is fine. I've seen hundreds of shows and only rarely find myself straining to hear.
ARTc3 formerly ARTc. Actually been a poster since 2004. My name isn't Art. Drop the "3" and say the signature and you'll understand.
ARTc3 said: "I'd be interested only if she learned to project as far as her microphone.
I love her voice and have enjoyed her on various recordings, but many people who have seen her live will report to you that she can't be heard in a theater. It has been so bad that on the two or three occasions I did venture to a show she was in, I went to the Sound Engineer complaining that she couldn't be heard. All three times, I was informed by the Sound Engineer that this was a note given to her daily. She just refused to do her job – to be heard.
Sorry, Ms. Murphy, I was a huge fan, but after dropping hundreds of dollars to see you live in various productions and always finding myself barely - if at all - able to hear you, I'm confused why you still work in live theater.
For the record, my hearing is fine. I've seen hundreds of shows and only rarely find myself straining to hear."
You should ask for an assisted hearing device, it is nothing to be ashamed of. I have never heard anyone say this about Donna Murphy before, and I have never had trouble hearing her in anything.
Never had a hard time hearing Donna. She's a phenomenal performer. Her presence is INCREDIBLE and her performance as Fosca is one of the greatest musical theater performances of all time.
BenElliott said: "Never had a hard time hearing Donna. She's a phenomenal performer. Her presence is INCREDIBLE and her performance as Fosca is one of the greatest musical theater performances of all time."
Of course I was 25 years younger then, but I had no trouble hearing her in PASSION.
I also have no interest in seeing Georges Seurat played by a woman. Really, what is the point?