Playbill's Take on Bernadette's Tony Performance

[bestofbroadway]

Posted: 6/13/03 at 10:53am

In case you haven't already seen it, here is what Playbill had to say about Bernadette's stunning performance on the Tony's. It's interesting cause it actually talks about what it was like to be in the theater that night.

DIVA TALK: "Turn" of a Lifetime PLUS Divas Come to the Cabaret
By Andrew Gans
13 Jun 2003

Throughout my 20 or so years of watching the annual Tony Awards telecast, there have been just a handful of performances that have left me completely speechless.

Patti LuPone's belting of those high Es during Evita's rousing "A New Argentina"; Betty Buckley's stentorian delivery of the final "Touch meeeeee, it's so eeeeasy to leave me" portion of "Memory" the year she and Cats triumphed with multiple Tonys; and Jennifer Holliday's passionate tearjerker "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" are the three that immediately come to mind. Well, this past Sunday's ceremony added a fourth to my short list: Bernadette Peters' astounding "Rose's Turn."

I had hoped Peters would triumph with her moment in the Tony telecast spotlight, but she exceeded my high expectations. I wanted her performance to be as thrilling as it was both times I attended the Gypsy revival at the Shubert Theatre, but I worried that it might not have the burning fire without the penultimate scene that precedes the climactic, harrowing breakdown-in-song. I needn't have worried. Peters' performance was equally heartbreaking and possibly even more ferocious.

I was lucky enough to attend the June 8 ceremony live, and the audience at the famed Radio City Music Hall was completely spellbound by the two-time Tony winner the moment she declared, "Here she is BOYS! Here she is WORLD! Here's ROSE!" There was a fierce determination in Peters' eyes as she strutted toward the front of the stage in Anthony Ward's wonderfully sexy, purple form-fitting dress. I love director Sam Mendes' staging of the number, particularly when Peters invitingly leans against the brick wall at the back of the bare stage and — with fingers over her lips — states, "Ready or not, here comes Momma, shhh!" And the anger in both Peters’ voice and face was palpable as she questioned, "Why did I do it? What did it get me? Scrapbooks full of me in the background!"

For me, however, the song — in Peters' hands — reaches its climax in the word "well" that precedes "Well, someone tell me when is it my turn? Don't I get a dream for myself!" The frustration, the longing, the wanting, the needing — all the love and success that Rose has been unsuccessfully searching for her entire life — finally explodes in this belty "Well." Peters' performance is so dramatic that she can't wait until the rest of the sentence to explode: The explosion comes early in “Welllll!” and it's frighteningly intense.

And, when the Gypsy star reached the conclusion of the song, belting out the final “For meeeeeeeeeee,” the audience — three balconies and all — rose en masse. There was no delay, no hesitation. It was as though there was no possible response other than to jump to one's feet and applaud. It was one of the most electric responses to a performer I've ever experienced in the theatre. (I’ve since watched the telecast on tape, and it's the same goose bump inducing response on the small screen.)

And then, moments later, the Best Actress in a Musical Tony was awarded to Marissa Jaret Winokur. It wasn't too surprising, for it seemed to be a Hairspray sweep, with the fabulous, high-energy musical nabbing eight prizes, including Best Musical. After watching Peters' performance, I do imagine many around the country were wondering, "Who votes for these awards?" And, I have to admit, I was thinking that, too. I was quite disappointed for a day or two following the ceremony and then realized that Peters has already earned two Best Actress in a Musical Tony Awards and can pretty much name the director, the show and the role she'd like to play. This may be Winokur's only leading role, and she should be able to enjoy her moment in the spotlight.

It is interesting to note that neither Broadway's First Lady of the American Musical Theatre — Ethel Merman — nor her heir apparent, Peters, was awarded Tonys for her Gypsy performance. Merman's place in musical theatre history certainly wasn't hurt from the Tony loss; in fact, most all of the theatre-going public — even those who weren't yet born — seem to have caught that legendary Gypsy performance. And, Peters' place in musical theatre history as one of its greatest actors/singers and "all around warming presences" (thanks, Frank Rich) — is equally safe. And, as for this year's Tony telecast, it will mainly be remembered for that towering performance: those breathtaking four minutes when Peters — with one brilliant song — silenced any of the naysayers of the season past. Brava, Bernadette!

And, for those of you who have yet to catch this Gypsy, get thee to the Shubert!

Updated On: 6/13/03 at 10:53 AM

[Alvin and My Sheepdog Rex]

Posted: 6/13/03 at 11:07am

After reading Gan's description of Bernadette Peter's performance at the Tonys, I wish there were a way to view her performance again, since I didn't see the broadcast. It sounds like it was quite impressive!

[actorgaedu]

Posted: 6/13/03 at 12:57pm

Wow, that is one person's take on the performance...It didn't even come close to that for me. Iw as distracted by her forced performance and voice quality that to me was poor sounding. I have seen Bernadette live several times and she has always sounded good, but never blew me away. I guess I don't really like her voice quality, but I will tell you that I saw a high school production of "Gypsy" last year with a girl playing Rose that reminded me A LOT of Bernadette, but this girl was a triple threat and she made me finally feel for the character. When I saw Bernadette, she made me feel nothing other than here is another production of Gypsy with a big named star. I wanted her to be so much better, but she wasn't for me and I never once felt honored to be in the theater because I thought I would be seeing something incredible, but instead I saw something kind of dreadful. Just my opinion, so Playbill say what you will, but not everyone agrees.

[Deannaizme]

Posted: 6/13/03 at 1:24pm

I've watcher her performance a couple of times (I taped it), and got the same goose bumps each time. I thought her performance was extremely powerful and full of emotion. That one really did make me want to jump on a plane and get to New York to see Gypsy.

Deanna

[bestofbroadway]

Posted: 6/13/03 at 2:58pm

Did you stand actorgaedu? Just curious.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 6/13/03 at 4:05pm

It wasn't some people's thing--and they are going to vehemently stand by that. That is ok--that is their right. But, I hope that these same people can at least appreciate that most people loved her performance and that it will go down in history as a great Tony performance. Why continue to trash it? I'd love to know if any of you who hated the performance actually went back and reviewed it with an open mind. If you still hated it, then fine.
=)

Posted: 6/13/03 at 4:34pm

The reviewer always tends to gush and report things in a manner as if they were the end of the world ..

Nothing is ever ..Just OK...just average...

in his eyes, Karen Zeimba could stand there and let out a juicy fart and he would describe her as a "...brass band going by with angels sounding the trumpets"..

Did you also notice that in his eyes, No MALE ever gave a "breathtaking, eechy-peachy, super-duper TONY Performance"..

hmmmmmmmmmmmmm..


Updated On: 6/13/03 at 04:34 PM

[friesgirl]

Posted: 6/13/03 at 4:41pm

Yes, I find it interesting he didn't include Brian Stokes Mitchell's performance because I think it surpasssed Bernadette's vocally and acting wise.

[moljul]

Posted: 6/13/03 at 4:47pm

Well the column is DIVA TALK.

[Mamie4]

Posted: 6/13/03 at 4:52pm

I've never really been much of a BP's fan. The idea of her playing Mama Rose was so ridiculous that I immediately wrote it off when planning my B'way trips. A friend who had seen the play told me to hold off all criticism until I had seen her. In the friend's opinion Bernadette was incredibly good in the role. So I went. And I was completely bowled over. I walked out of that theatre in tears. I am SO GLAD I taped the Tony show so I could see it again. Bravo Bernadette! (You were robbed!)

Posted: 6/13/03 at 5:01pm

His only template on which to "judge" a singer who is female as worthy to be listed as a "diva" in his column, is that she sang somehere, sometime, in the tri-state area...

I mean the names he treats like gold are unreal....

If they have a uterus, they're a diva..

Everytime i hear him refer to Karen Ziemba, or someone else of her ilk, whom 35 years ago, would be a swing or in a bus and truck tour somehwere, as a diva I think to myself, Damn, Maria Callas, a REAL Diva, is rolling in her grave...

[actorgaedu]

Posted: 6/13/03 at 5:10pm

Actually, I did not stand when I saw her full perfomance as many people did not at the performance I was at. I for one think standing ovations have lost their pride because people stand for anything and anyone these days. I will give a person their due if they deserve it, and I never said I didn't like Bernadette as a performer, I just didn't like her in "Gypsy." I am so glad that many people are getting enjoyment out of her performance at the Shubert and on the Tonys. I am just sick of people bashing Marissa because she won the Tony. I for one am glad Marissa won. I am also glad that someone mentioned that no men are considered in the best of Tony winning performances. Perhaps it is because most of the men lead ensemble type numbers with the exception of a few like BSM. I hope people continue to see "Gypsy" so that it continues to keep broadway alive. Just as I hope that people continue to see "Hairsray" and walk away with the refreshed feeling of broadway pride I had after seeing it. When I saw Bernadette in "Sunday.." I was blown away! That is what I called a performance in history. However, some people believe it is "Gypsy," I do not.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 6/13/03 at 5:46pm

Well, I certainly agree that people need to quit trashing Marissa--I'm glad she won. I would have been happy either way. =)

Updated On: 6/13/03 at 05:46 PM

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 6/13/03 at 6:42pm

I was dissapointed that Bernadette didn't win, but I was also happy for Marissa. It was her moment, and I'm sure Bernadette fealt the same way. She knows what it was like to be a first time nominee, and then to win one for the first time. I mean, Bernadette is a living legend (for the most part). She does't need anymore Tony's to prove that.....although a lifetime achievment award in a few years would be nice.