March 15, 2023
Kravis Center for the Performing Arts | Kravis.org
By Denny Patterson
On March 15, 2023, Tony Award-winning performer Bernadette Peters will be delighting audiences with a one-night only concert at West Palm Beach’s Kravis Center. Singing Broadway favorites that only Peters knows how to do best, everyone in attendance is bound for a remarkable evening.
With an illustrious career spanning five decades, Peters’ voice, talent, and stage presence has made her a legend of stage and screen. As one of Broadway’s most critically acclaimed artists, she has earned three Tony Awards, a Golden Globe, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Some of her most notable roles include the Witch in Into the Woods, Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun, Mama Rose in Gypsy, and in 2018, Peters replaced Bette Midler as Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly!
OutClique had the opportunity to catch up with Peters before her upcoming South Florida appearance.
Denny Patterson: Thank you for taking some time to chat with me, Bernadette! Can you begin by telling us what we can expect from your concert at the Kravis Center?
Bernadette Peters: Since I was in Hello, Dolly! in 2018, I’ve added in two numbers from the show, “Before the Parade Passes By” and “So Long Dearie.” They’re a lot of fun and the audience really enjoys them, and I also have a brand-new opening!
Denny Patterson: What do you always hope audiences take away from your concerts?
Bernadette Peters: First of all, and above all else, I hope that they’re entertained, and that can cover so many things. Thoughtfulness, fun, emotions, something that makes them remember a happy moment in their life. I have a lot of fun things, and I even tell a joke or two, but I also have dramatic songs. And I do a lot of Sondheim, and he talks about the healing conditions so tenderly, sensitively, and thoughtfully. Of course, there are songs that remind me of special moments in my life, like “No One Is Alone” and “Children Will Listen.” I feel like it’s a privilege to be up there singing to people and singing songs that I choose, because when you do your own show, it’s about the songs that you want to sing. It’s not about the character. Yes, they’re character driven, but when you play a character, you’re given the song, and that’s it. I sing songs that other characters sing because when I sit in the wing, I’m listening. I’m the audience, and think, oh, I love that song.
Denny Patterson: Is there a song from your set that is the most meaningful to you?
Bernadette Peters: They all have a different meaning to me, and I choose these songs because I connect to them deeply and in a special way. So, each one is important.
Denny Patterson: Your entertainment career has spanned for decades. For those who don’t know, how did this journey begin for you?
Bernadette Peters: My mother said I used to sing in front of the television when I was little, which I probably did because I love all kinds of music. So, she took me to singing lessons, and when I was five, I was on The Horn and Hardart Children’s Hour. Even before that, I was on Juvenile Jury, and that was the first thing I ever did. So, I really grew up in the business. I had a normal childhood because I went to public school until I was 13, but my career was more of a hidden hobby then. I didn’t want the kids to know I was different, so I didn’t talk about it as much (laughs). Then when I was 13, I went on the road and understudied Dainty June in the second national tour of Gypsy. Then cut to years later, I’m playing Mama Rose. What was interesting about it when I was a kid, my mother came along with me, but so did my sister because she was the understudy for Louise. When I did it on stage, it felt like a recreation of my childhood.
Denny Patterson: What keeps performing new and exciting for you?
Bernadette Peters: I’m always about growing and learning. That’s why I choose songs that have a lot of meaning. They always reveal something new to me and take me on a journey. Staying open to the creativity that comes in when I sing, that’s what keeps it new and exciting, and acting is the same way. I’m always growing, and it’s all about how much more I can connect with the audience. How can we all have this experience together? They come in and sit down, but I’m on that side of the stage, and we’ll have this exciting journey together. This special moment in the theater.
Denny Patterson: What was the best advice you received when you first started on Broadway?
Bernadette Peters: My first acting teacher, his name was David Le Grant, and he said to never copy anybody. Never try to be like anyone else. They already have one of those. The way emotions come out of you, that’s the original way. There’s only one of you, and always bring that to the table. That way, people will go, oh, I want her because she’s different from anybody else. I like what I’m feeling from her. She’s not trying to do this in the style of whomever else.
Denny Patterson: Some of your most memorable roles include Dot in Sunday in the Park with George, the Witch in Into the Woods, and Mama Rose in Gypsy, which are all Stephen Sondheim shows. What was it truly like working with him?
Bernadette Peters: It was wonderful. If you do revivals, a lot of the time, the author has passed on. Steve was always involved. If you asked him what this line meant, what does it mean when a character does this, could you take more time here, he would go, wait a minute. Let me think about that. He would go through his brain, which was amazing. When he wrote, he explored all possibilities, and he would find the best one. It was like having Shakespeare right there.
Denny Patterson: There were rumors that you were going to be involved with his last musical, Square One. Is this true or not?
Bernadette Peters: I did the last reading with Nathan Lane, and then Steve passed on. So, I don’t know what’s going to happen with that show.
Denny Patterson: What are some upcoming projects we should be on the lookout for?
Bernadette Peters: It was announced that Carol Burnett will have her 90th birthday celebration on April 26, so I will be doing a few things on that, which I think will be a lot of fun. Then there’s something else, but it hasn’t been announced yet, so I can’t talk about it right now.
Denny Patterson: Yes, I was very happy to hear that you will be involved with Carol Burnett’s 90th birthday special. What kind of impact has she had on you?
Bernadette Peters: She’s just so full of kindness. I recently watched her on Finding Your Roots, and she talks about the man who gave her money to go to New York. Carol thought he was just drunk on champagne, but his wife said, no, he means it. So, he gave her his card, and when she went to his office, he said, I’m going to give you the money to go to New York, but there are conditions. You pay me back if and when you can, no interest, and you promise to help other young performers. She saw me in an Off-Broadway show in New York, and one of her dearest friends happened to be the partner of my manager. She came to see the show, and while we were talking, she mentioned that was going to have a new TV variety show. I was the first person she booked, and she brought me back year after year after year. That was so kind of her, and I love her so much.
Denny Patterson: What more do you hope to accomplish with your career?
Bernadette Peters: Oh, plenty! I think I’m ready to do a play. Although, I would miss singing, so maybe I could hum a few tunes within the play (laughs). I’d also love to do some more television, and I’m just ready to take on some more interesting roles. Things are happening. I would also love for Broadway Barks to expand even more, where we can help more animals with medical needs. They’re here for us. There are people that are so lonely, and all they have is their animal. Companion animals are very precious, and they serve an important purpose, which many people came to realize during the pandemic. So many animals were adopted.
Denny Patterson: Before we wrap up, do you have any other project or anything else you’d like to mention or plug?
Bernadette Peters: Just the Carol Burnett special on April 26 on NBC, and then a couple other projects that I can’t talk about just yet, but stay tuned!
