By Peter Galvin
In March 1997, Bernadette Peters released the acclaimed live recording of her solo debut at Carnegie Hall from the previous December, the Grammy-nominated "Sondheim, Etc.: Bernadette Peters Live at Carnegie Hall." "It was one of the most exciting, perfect evenings of my life," Peters says of the 1996 benefit concert. "Knowing it was my solo debut at Carnegie Hall and looking out at the audience and knowing that we were all there to raise money for Gay Men's Health Crisis made the evening an extraordinary experience."
Now, after a bittersweet wait of more than eight years comes the stunning sequel, "Sondheim, Etc., Etc.–Bernadette Peters Live at Carnegie Hall (The Rest of It)," a new CD from Angel Records featuring all the material not included on the initial concert recording release.
The new CD features the Broadway star at her best, performing such Sondheim classics as "Later" from A Little Night Music, the tender ballad "With So Little To Be Sure Of" from Anyone Can Whistle, "Children Will Listen" from Into the Woods, and "(They Ask Me Why) I Believe in You" – a song Mr. Sondheim gave to her to sing that evening. The two-time Tony winner also performs "Unexpected Song" from the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Song and Dance, plus unforgettable versions of "We're in the Money" – in Pig Latin! – and "Pennies From Heaven." Peters also lends her legendary voice to a gorgeous array of timeless love songs, including "If You Were the Only Boy," "Faithless Love," "Other Lady," and a smoky rendition of "I Never Thought I'd Break."
Here, Peters talks more about her frequent "collaborations" with Sondheim and also touches on topics of great interest to her gay fans: being a gay icon, playing a lesbian on television, and her thoughts on gay marriage.
Q: What is it about Stephen Sondheim's music that has such resonance for you as a vocalist?
Bernadette Peters: He writes the music and lyrics, so he really achieves what he wants to say. And because he's so smart and goes so deep with his feelings, there's a lot to explore, get involved with and learn about.
Q: Do you have an absolute favorite Sondheim song? If so, which one would you say it is?
BP: I suppose, "No One Is Alone." It seems to be important every time I sing it.
Q: Do you have a favorite story about one of your many collaborations with Mr. Sondheim?
BP: I never feel I collaborate. Let's not kid ourselves. He writes the songs. They totally come from his mind. They're his – I'm just lucky to experience and interpret them.
Q: How did you end up choosing Gay Men's Health Crisis as the beneficiary of the original Carnegie Hall concert?
BP: They chose me. Arthur Laurents contacted me, and I was honored and very happy to do a concert benefiting them.
Q: How has AIDS affected you personally over the last 15 years?
BP: I lost a very dear friend who lived with AIDS for about 17 years. Rejecting early treatments that were iffy, he thought he saved himself. Then, not having realized the strides medications had made, he started to take the new medications that can sustain you too late. He recently passed, and I really miss him a lot.
Q: You are a major gay icon. Why do you think you have such a strong gay following?
BP: I think gays have great taste! No, seriously I actually think their emotions are highly sensitive, and they're aware of when people are singing of truths or not!
Q: You played a lesbian in the Showtime original film "Bobbie's Girl" – what made this role appealing to you?
BP: In my career, there have been three things that were challenging that I had never done: 1) playing gay; 2) playing a Jewish woman: and 3) playing Chekhov. The scariest part was playing Chekhov!
Q: We know you are currently touring the country doing your concert. What else is in the works? And when can we expect another new studio album from you?
BP: There are things in the pipeline not yet ready for talking about, but I should be making a new studio album in October or November of this year.
Q: Is there a dream role in musical theater that you have always wanted to play but haven't yet?
BP: I think I already played it; "Rose" in Gypsy. I'm waiting for someone to write another!
Q: If you had a child that told you he/she was gay, how do you think you would react?
BP: Try to make sure they were comfortable with themselves and proud of who they are.
Q: What are your feelings about gay marriage?
BP: I feel strongly for gay marriage to be accepted because young people have so many emotions growing up. If you don't feel you're accepted, that's when you start sneaking around and engaging in dangerous practices!
