Bernadette Peters at the Jorgensen 4/13/2012

I will get this out of the way right here and now. I love this woman and it goes back to seeing her on television back in the  1970's and it was sealed when I saw her in The Jerk. I have been very lucky to see Ms. Peters perform in Alittle Night Music and Follies over the last two years and I saw her performance of the first tour of  Into The Woods in Boston in 1986.It is an understatement to say she one of the true treasures of Broadway.She was closing the season at the Jorgensen Theater at the University of Connecticut with a  two night run.

Ms. Peters had a 30 piece orchestra with her and her main  music collaborator Marvin Laird conducting and on  piano.She came on stage to a warm welcome in a stunning lavender sequin dress, with a slit right up the center. Tonight it was  both of Bernadette's legs we were to admire and  she looked radiant. She opened the show with a festive  version of  " Let Me Entertain You." This was followed by a torch light reading of " No One is Alone" It was a  delicate and moving version. Her  voice was in wonderful form. Next she belted out a  fun reading of " There is Nothin' Like a Dame" This was followed by a new song for her. Peggy Lee's "Fever". She laid on her side the black grand piano bathed in soft spot lights and delivered a sultry  version that was smoldering.She had captivated the audience with her own twist on this classic.

She  gave us little back ground on one of her favorite musicals and album covers from her parent's record collection. It was Carousel  and she sang the song " Mister Snow." Next she sang " Some Enchanted Evening" this was  followed by the highlights of this  night of music. She delivered a  Sondheim trifecta beginning with a  touching version of " In Buddy's Eyes" from Follies. This was  followed by a  emotionally riveting version of  "Losing My Mind". I have to say this  version was better than the one I saw her perform in Follies. She owns this song  now and it was beautiful. Laird was on piano for this one as well. She next delivered a devastating version of " Johanna" from Sweeney Todd  that blew me away. The next jewel was a  brilliant interpretation of the classic  "Shenandoah"  as with previous songs this  night it was just the torch light singer and Laird on piano and it was easily one of the best songs of the evening. Next we  got a  heart wrenching reading of " Not a Day Goes By". This was  followed by a sweet version of "When You Wish Upon a Star" and then two more classics from Company  " You Could Drive a Person Crazy" and possibly her most  popular song " Being Alive" with both showcasing her range and depth of emotion and voice that only Ms. Peters can do.

She encored with a sweet ballad that she wrote herself called " Kramer" about one of her beloved dogs.
Ms. Peters is still a dynamic and delicate force and  her love for  performing is still very clear and greatly appreciated.