THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 15, 1996 TAG: 9602150030
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MAL VINCENT, ENTERTAINMENT WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 104 lines
BERNADETTE PETERS, a cascade of curls framing that kewpie doll face, has the kind of creamy complexion that suggests she's never been out in the sun. Judging from her work schedule, it may be true.
Since childhood, she's sung and clowned in every field of show business, winning a Tony in 1985 for ``Song and Dance'' and a Golden Globe for 1981's ``Pennies from Heaven.'' She's had a TV series (``All's Fair''), been in dozens of TV movies (including portraying Tammy Faye Bakker in 1990's ``Falling from Grace'') and co-starred on the big screen with Clint Eastwood (``Pink Cadillac'') and Burt Reynolds (``The Longest Yard'').
Two weeks ago, she was inducted into Broadway's Theatrical Hall of Fame. Her new album is due for release this spring.
``Contrary to what you think, I'm not a workaholic,'' Peters said from her New York apartment, which she shares with her Himalayan cat, Murphy. ``I love my down time. I don't have any real hobbies, other than singing. I just go to movies and shows.
``I just saw Carol Channing in `Hello, Dolly!' Fantastic! I find seeing other people on stage to be soothing and healing.''
Most of her life, though, has been spent in front of an audience. Right now, she's doing a series of ``mini-tours,'' performing with pops orchestras around the country. Peters will be in Norfolk Friday and Saturday, but it's not the first time she's discussed singing with the Virginia Symphony Pops.
Two years ago, she was starring in ``The Goodbye Girl'' on Broadway. Not content with eight performances a week, she was flying to Charleston, S.C., on her day off for a concert. Told that Hampton Roads had a fine pops orchestra, she playfully suggested stopping on her way back.
Born Bernadette Lazzara in Queens some 48 years ago, she was on stage in ``The Most Happy Fella'' at age 12.
``I don't feel that I really missed having a childhood,'' said Peters, who attended the Quintano School for Young Professionals. ``After all, I wasn't a child star. I was a working child, at times. I had my own school life.''
Peters first began gathering a following in 1968, when she appeared in the off-Broadway musical ``Dames at Sea.'' She played the little girl who, in keeping with show business tradition, had to ``go out there a girl, but come back a star.''
She did, though her Broadway debut was not as auspicious. Peters starred as the poignant ``idiot,'' a lovable but shy circus performer, in ``La Strada,'' a musical version of the classic Fellini movie. Obsessed with comparing it to the film, the critics moaned and the show closed after one performance.
Nor did ``Mack and Mabel'' get its due. Peters played silent film star Mabel Normand opposite Robert Preston's Mack Sennet. Only now, in London, is the score being hailed as the gem it always was. But she scored markedly in the 1971 revival of ``On the Town'' and Stephen Sondheim's ``Sunday in the Park with George'' and ``Into the Woods.''
But how does that big singing voice come from such a baby-voiced speaking voice? ``It just does,'' Peters said, chirping a tiny giggle. ``It just happens. Truthfully, vocal training has a great deal to do with it.''
Show business trends, though, have largely conspired against her career. The movie musical is a thing of the past and Broadway is either tuneless or housed by revivals rather than new shows. For a while, it seemed she almost singlehandedly carried the mantle of ``the girl singer.''
``Well, there's Madonna and there's Bonnie Raitt and there are a lot of girls in the recording field, but you're right, the movies and Broadway are a little lacking right now,'' Peters said. ``I think we're just waiting for the new baby boom of composers. I'm sure they've already been born and they're on their way to Broadway.''
She was going to dinner that night with Richard Jay Alexander (producer Cameron Mackintosh's second-in-command for ``Les Miserables'' and ``Phantom of the Opera''). They planned to listen to the master tapes of her new album, which Peters will promote on a lengthy national tour that includes a date at the cavernous Hollywood Bowl.
``The album doesn't have a title yet,'' she said. ``We're going to talk about possibilities for the title. I'm working with wonderful musicians. I'm really proud of it.''
A few of those songs will be performed at Chrysler Hall. ``I'll do some things by Harold Arlen, Stephen Sondheim and Lyle Lovett.''
Lyle Lovett?
``He's a change of pace,'' Peters said. ``I love his stuff, don't you?''
She's packed several Bob Mackies and a Donna Karan gown for the trip. ``The gown has to be comfortable on stage because I have to move, and be at ease.''
To facilitate that, she's bringing her own pianist-arranger, Marvin Laird, who is also a noted playwright, as well as several other musicians and her own light and sound men.
``It's must a matter of feeling comfortable,'' Peters said. ``I'll have limited time to rehearse with the orchestra, but everything will be all right as long as I'm comfortable.
``Actually, I prefer large halls like this to the little cabarets that are full of smoke and noise. This is my place.''
For the kewpie doll with the big voice, apparently any stage is a comfortable place. ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]
Bernadette Peters is on a series of "mini-tours," perfprming with
pops orchestras around the country.
Bernadette Peters with the Virginia Symphony Pops
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Where: Chrysler Hall in Norfolk
Tickets: $17 to $38; order at 671-8100
More information: Call 623-2310.
KEYWORDS: INTERVIEW PROFILE by CNB