Bernadette Was Never Better
by ChipL955 on 2/15/11California Theatre of the Performing Arts - San BernardinoRating: 5 out of 5I have been fortunate enough to see Bernadette Peters perform live on five previous occasions over the last 27 years -- twice at the Hollywood Bowl, and on Broadway in "Sunday in the Park with George," "Into the Woods" and "Gypsy." And I have to say, in complete honesty, she has never looked or sounded better than she did Sunday night at the California Theatre in San Bernardino. The woman is ageless and is at the peak of her vocal and acting powers.
Having seen recent concerts by Natalie Cole and Gladys Knight, I appreciated something Miss Peters did that they did not: she acknowledged where she was ("Hello, San Bernardino!") and talked about how beautiful the theater was (it was my first visit there, and she's right). This adds a sense that you're seeing a show just made for you (although I know Miss Peters had been appearing in the Desert for the previous two nights and was on her way to Reno for a concert Monday.)
I could complain that she didn't sing her now-legendary rendition of "Send in the Clowns," but I understand that, having just appeared in "A Little Night Music," she can't approach the song outside of the context of the show just yet. I could also complain that she didn't sing my favorite song in her repertoire, Jerry Herman's "Time Heals Everything."
But how can I really complain, when Miss Peters gave us her hilarious take on "There is Nothing Like a Dame," and then tore our hearts out with "Not a Day Goes By," and then closed with that most perfect of all songs, "My Funny Valentine"? Her voice remains an amazing force of nature, her soprano still clear as a bell, her basso-profundo still deep and hysterical, her belt voice still strong and powerful. It was a thrilling evening, over too soon.