Future Bernadette Peters on Broadway shows?

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 1/14/25 at 12:19am

I’m curious what people’s thoughts are. A friend of mine has been wanting to see Bernadette Peters in a Broadway show for some time now. She’s seen her live but not on Broadway.   And with Old Friends coming she’s wondering if she should bank on that as the opportunity to do so. Or hold out for an actual show.  
I realize Bernadette is now getting up in age where 8 shows a week is a big expectation.   I’m curious thoughts?  Do you think we will see her in another big show? Two more? Three more? Or should we begin to just anticipate more less concert settings 

[binau]

Posted: 1/14/25 at 2:10am

See Bernadette in Old Friends - you/your friend are literally watching Sondheim's muse perform 'Send in the Clowns' and read lines as Dot in Sunday on Broadway that is a once in a lifetime experience (or twice if you saw the original shows :P). She is truly leading this show with Lea and the show is highly satisfying, not boring or mediocre as the idea of yet another Sondheim revue sounds.

I don't know how many shows Bernadette has in her, but she very rarely does a show on Broadway. The last time was 7 years ago, and then 7 years before that. Her voice while still pleasant to me is challenging (as sad as it sounds, I honestly believe if her voice still sounded like she did in Gypsy or ESPECIALLY Annie Get your Gun we would have seen Bernadette in many more shows over the years recently).

I hope that Bernadette has a couple more shows in her (especially in a nostalgic supporting part such as the Old Lady in a Sunday revival or Madam Armfeldt or something on a Follies revival). But every time I see her right now I assume it will be the last. 

And I always have THE BEST time. 

Updated On: 1/14/25 at 02:10 AM

[bwayobsessed]

Posted: 1/14/25 at 7:44am

I would hope at some point we get her in A Little Night Music as Madame Armfeldt

[tacotheatrelover]

Posted: 1/14/25 at 8:54am

Maybe we could get her as Fräulein Schneider in Cabaret

[Kad]

Posted: 1/14/25 at 9:42am

I really think it’s less a question of whether Peters is up to a Broadway schedule and more of a lack of many suitable roles for her that she would be interested in committing to. There are very few really good roles in musical theatre for women in their late 70s or older. 
If Peters ever decided to do plays, there’d be a lot more options for her. 

[quizking101]

Posted: 1/14/25 at 10:26am

If THE ROOMMATE just kept recasting, she could’ve been a perfect replacement for Mia Farrow.

[The8re phan]

Posted: 1/14/25 at 10:40am

I think she would be a fun replacement "Louise" in OH, MARY!

[Bwaygurl2]

Posted: 1/14/25 at 10:42am

bwayobsessed said: "I would hope at some point we get her in A Little Night Music as Madame Armfeldt"

I don't think she'll ever look old enough for Madame Armfeldt. She looks like she could still be whoring around Europe, rather than just reminiscing about doing so. 

[SingingEachtoEach]

Posted: 1/14/25 at 11:07am

She's 76.  She's in incredible shape for 76, but still 76 years old.  Most people are retired from much less physically demanding jobs by 76.  Don't pass up a chance to see her if it's a priority.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 1/14/25 at 12:08pm

• Fanny Cavendish in a revival of The Royal Family
• Carlotta or Hattie in Follies
• Agree re Madame Armfeldt and Frau Schneider
• The Old Lady in Candide…plays to her comic strengths
• How about Matron Mama Morton.  Not a huge role, but 2 great numbers

 

[Georgeanddot2]

Posted: 1/14/25 at 12:44pm

I really wish Company had run for years and we could've seen her as Joanne. And I wish we could've seen her do Lovett in Sweeney.

[StylishCynic]

Posted: 1/14/25 at 12:47pm

Moonshot casting –but it would be so special and full circle to see her as the Old Lady / Blair Daniels in a Sunday revival.

The production could honestly do some casting changes and have her play the Old Lady in act 1 and Marie again in act 2. 

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 1/14/25 at 3:13pm

The Countess Aurelia in DEAR WORLD seems like a perfect fit. Or even in "Madwoman of Chaillot".

[berniesb!tch]

Posted: 1/14/25 at 3:17pm

I am personally thinking Old Friends will be her final send off. I would love to see her do a play. Either versions of Kimberly she'd be great 

[nycward]

Posted: 1/15/25 at 12:17am

Ms. Peters and I work out at the same gym. I have often been right next to her doing my reps and have seen her without makeup, in her leotard vigorously working those machines with her trainer. She absolutely looks and acts 20 years younger than her age. If she could bottle whatever her genes have produced, she would be a billionaire that would have Elon Musk begging for mercy:) Hell, she'd never have to work again....God bless her natural radiance. 

Updated On: 1/15/25 at 12:17 AM

[binau]

Posted: 1/15/25 at 2:39am

Would love to see any of these proposals, and WOW the idea of Bernadette actually playing Marie now in the 2nd act of Sunday would be something. 

The other role that would be a good fit for Bernadette is Claire in "The Visit". A dream revival would be to pair Bernadette with Mandy Patinkin as Anton. I could imagine this pairing actually making money. 

It's nice to see a thread where people seem to respect Bernadette and aren't trashing her voice these days. Made my day!

Updated On: 1/15/25 at 02:39 AM

[Mskuphantm]

Posted: 1/15/25 at 7:59pm

I'll put it again into the universe but if Goodspeed stage adaptation of Mrs Santa Clause transfers to Bway I def would want Bernadette to play her.  could you imagine the show would bring in not onoy families but those who have followed her career whether it be Bway or Film or in concert   and her earthiness /  her cutesy mannerism is extremely similar to that of an ethereal presence of "Mrs. North"

[Jarethan]

Posted: 1/15/25 at 10:30pm

Mskuphantm said: "I'llput it again into the universe but if Goodspeed stage adaptation of Mrs Santa Clause transfers to Bway I def would want Bernadette to play her. could you imagine the show would bring in not onoy families but those who have followed her career whether it be Bway or Film or in concert and her earthiness / hercutesy mannerism is extremely similar to that of an ethereal presence of "Mrs. North""

I suspect that any production of Mrs Santa Claus would have to be seasonal, which might increase the possibility of her doing it.  For as long as I can remember, shows focused on Christmas (vs. an isolated scene, a la ‘We Need a Little…’ lose audience interest after Christmas.  They have had enough and want to move on.  Remembering the TV movie, the songs were Jerry Herman pleasant and, if any additions are in the same vein, the score would not be a challenge.  Great idea. 
 

Even better was Marie in Act 2…she even gets to sing one of Sondheim’s greatest songs (IMO).

[ChiDoc]

Posted: 1/16/25 at 11:55am

binau said: "It's nice to see a thread where people seem to respect Bernadette and aren't trashing her voice these days. Made my day!"

It's making me more excited to see Old Friends, as I'm taking a trip this spring specifically to see her live for the first time.  No matter how she sounds, I cannot wait to see the incomparable Miss Peters (and singing "Send in the Clowns"?  I can't.)!