Bernadette Peters. The name may not ring a bell, nor would the face if you sat next to her on the tube, but it’s pretty much a given that you know her, either for her works or the simple fact that she does not age – at all. She’s one of the theatre’s most leading ladies. She’s fierce, unstoppable, and basically everything that every theatre performer desires to be. Let’s take a look at the talent that is Bernadette.
At the age of nine, Bernadette obtained her Actors Equity Card (a card that provides proof of membership in the Actors’ Equity Association in the US or British areas). It was at this time that Bernadette took on the last name “Peters”, in order to avoid being ethnic stereotyping. She took the last name from her father’s first name.
The same month that Bernadette obtained her card, she would make her professional stage debut in a show called This is Goggle. At the age of 10, Bernadette would first appear on the New York stage as Tessie in the revival of The Most Happy Fella. In her teen years, she would attend the now defunct Quintano’s School for Young Professionals. Several other celebrities attended this school, including Aerosmith leading singer, Steven Styler. At the age of 13, Bernadette was cast in the second national tour of Several other celebrities attended this school, including Aerosmith leading singer, Steven Tyler. At the age of 13, Bernadette was cast in the second national tour of Gypsy (hello, foreshadowing). During the tour of Gypsy, Bernadette would first meet her long-time accompanist, arrange and conductor, Marvin Laird. Shows that would follow include The Sound of Music, Riverwind, On the Town (in which Bernadette received her first Tony nomination), and more.
As her career grew, she began to appear in larger named shows, soon establishing herself as one of the most brilliant Broadway actresses of all time. In 1984, after several years off Broadway, she returned in the Sondheim-Lapine musical Sunday in the Park with George. This would lead to a brilliant future of collaborations between her and Sondheim. That collaboration partnership continues to this day. Bernadette would soon create the role of The Witch in Sondheim and Lapine’s hit musical Into the Woods. Bernadette is considered the most important interpreter of Sondheim’s works. Bernadette would eventually star in many other major musicals, including The Goodbye Girls, Annie Get Your Gun, A Little Night Music, Follies and Gypsy. A Little Night Music and Follies are also Sondheim works.
Over the course of her theatre career, she has won two Tony Awards (with seven nominations). In 2012, at the 66th Tony’s, she was presented the Isabelle Stevenson Award for her service to theatre. Bernadette has also been nominated nine times, and won three, for the Drama Desk Award. She has also been nominated for countless Emmy’s, Golden Globes and more. It should probably be mentioned that Bernadette, in 1996, became the youngest person to be added to the American Theatre Hall of Fame at the Gershwin Theatre.
The woman is unstoppable. She’s also performed at Carnegie Hall, The Olivier’s, Sydney Opera House and more. When Bernadette isn’t performing, she also assists with the planning and the inner workings of Broadway Barks. The event is an annual animal charity event that promotes the adoption of shelter animals. Bernadette and Mary Tyler Moore founded the event. The annual event is held every July, with numerous Broadway celebrities and performers assisting. Bernadette is an avid animal supporter.
So, with the acting, performing, the charity events, and also being a popular children’s book author (WHO KNEW?), Bernadette, basically, is an absolute bloody powerhouse. She’s collaborated with some of the best, from Carol Burnett and Mandy Patinkin (who deserves an In The Wings article all to himself), to James Lapine, Steve Martin, and Martin Short. Personally, I’d love to know Bernadette’s secret to being absolutely flawless. By the time this article is published, I’ll more than likely have just finished seeing Bernadette in concert, from the front row. The excitement is unreal.