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(And yes, I know Peters was a star before...)

Posted by: Delvino 12:17 pm EDT 03/31/14
In reply to: Sounds like another SONG AND DANCE.... - Delvino 11:35 am EDT 03/31/14

Bernadette Peters was a Broadway star, but had appeared in shows that survived her absence before. SONG AND DANCE came along as the show that might finally give her a Tony and that name-above-the-title status. It did that for her, though yes, she was already reason to see many shows prior.

It does seem somewhat similar to Menzel's position now. If it's not a perfect parallel, it's in the ballpark.


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re: (And yes, I know Peters was a star before...)

Posted by: tpdc 03:56 pm EDT 03/31/14
In reply to: (And yes, I know Peters was a star before...) - Delvino 12:17 pm EDT 03/31/14

Peters was above the title in Mack & Mabel and Sunday in the Park.

Tell Me on a Sunday is still performed. I saw two productions of it after Peters, including a production at the Kennedy Center starring Alice Ripley. And didn't Marti Webb just do it again in London?


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re: (And yes, I know Peters was a star before...)

Posted by: Delvino 08:43 pm EDT 03/31/14
In reply to: re: (And yes, I know Peters was a star before...) - tpdc 03:56 pm EDT 03/31/14

Uh, her billing was not my point (she hardly kept MACK AND MABEL going, and SUNDAY went on long after she left, since we're quiblling). I was well aware of her placement over the title(s), and saw both of those shows. The issue here is star power, entirely independent of vehicle. I would argue that Peters first demonstrated that quality -- to sell tickets despite the reception afforded the material -- in SONG AND DANCE, a show critics were indifferent to (like IF/THEN). That's why the comparison sprang to mine. I believe the ages of the leading ladies/stars even match up. Peters would've been Menzel's age, approximately, when she triumphed in S&d and won her first Tony.


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I know what you mean...

Posted by: garyd 12:39 pm EDT 03/31/14
In reply to: (And yes, I know Peters was a star before...) - Delvino 12:17 pm EDT 03/31/14

I had Pandora (or one of those online music things) on last night and Peters came on singing 'Unexpected Song" and I had similar thoughts to those you posted. It is certainly in the ballpark. The reviews are even similar. As a matter of fact the whole "search for love an meaning in life" theme runs through both pieces. I guess it will be interesting to see if Ms. Menzel can sell close to 500 performances.


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