Bernadette Peters in Concert

Starring:Bernadette Peters, Paul Baker (VI), Glenn Carter (III), Drew Jaymson, Michael Strassen
Director: Gavin Taylor
Studio: Acorn Media
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com essential video
Bernadette Peters is a glorious anachronism, a tiny New Yorker with a big voice, coppery pre-Raphaelite curls, and the sort of ripe physicality that made it logical she should ignore PC and have legendary pinup artist Vargas capture her for an album cover portrait. While most of her musical peers were getting funky, getting in touch with themselves, or getting high, Peters was honing her skills as a musical actress, setting her compass by Broadway with occasional detours to Hollywood. Now Peters is acknowledged as one of the Great White Way's natural wonders, a bona fide Tony-winning musical comedy star performing here in her first full-length video concert.

Amazon.com

The six-disc Stephen Sondheim DVD Collection is pure Broadway gold, encompassing three original Broadway cast performances and three all-star concerts celebrating the work of musical theater's most important composer over the last half of the 20th century. Into the Woods is Sondheim's most popular show, an amalgam of fractured fairy tales and what happens after "happily ever after." Bernadette Peters heads the cast, joined by Tony winner Joanna Gleason and Chip Zein. Sunday in the Park with George was Sondheim's immediately preceding work, also a collaboration with writer-director James Lapine and also starring Bernadette Peters. She plays Dot, the mistress of brilliant French pointillist painter Georges Seurat (Mandy Patinkin), in a powerful work about the nature of art and the artist that gains substantially when you can see the staging elements. The third Broadway cast performance is Passion, which was shot on stage though not before a live audience. It's a story of obsessive love in which the romance between Giorgio (Jere Shea) and Clara (Marin Mazzie) is disrupted by a strange woman named Signora Fosca (Tony winner Donna Murphy).

Sweeney Todd is generally considered Sondheim's best work, and it's well performed by Patti LuPone and George Hearn (reprising his role as the demonic barber almost 20 years after he played it opposite Angela Lansbury in a 1982 video recording). Follies in Concert was an attempt to right a wrong created by a truncated original cast recording, so it's ironic that roughly half the program is backstage material combined with only 47 minutes of concert footage. There are some brilliant moments, though, from such performers as Barbara Cook, Hearn, Patinkin, and Lee Remick. A Celebration at Carnegie Hall is another all-star cast performance of both Broadway stars and operatic voices peppered with comedy from Bill Irwin. Highlights include the ensemble numbers, Daisy Egan's "Broadway Baby," and Patrick Cassidy and Victor Garber's "The Ballad of Booth," which is about as close as you'll get to an original cast performance of Assassins. All in all, this invaluable set preserves and celebrates an important body of work that may never again be documented this well. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

A must-have for all Sondheim lovers.......2007-05-08

This is an amazing collection, which showcases the breadth of Mr. Sondheim's talents. No one else combines his musical mastery with his sheer delight in playing with the English language.

Worth every penny that my mom spent!.......2007-01-15

After watching 3 of the 6 DVDs in this collection, all I can say is "amazing!" The winner thus far is Sweeney Todd. The cast is unmatchable. The only thing missing is the airing of A Little Night Music.

A TRUE FAN/COLLECTORS GEM.......2007-01-11

I had the chance to see on Broadway : Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park with George, Passion and Into the Woods and Follies in London .It was a real treat to be able to behold the unforgetable experience in that fantastic DVD collection

Sondheim Collection.......2006-07-03

This is a must have in your collection Sondheim fans! This box set has titles that appeal to both the children and adults in a family. My children love Into the woods and the Carnegie Hall concert especially! One of the best purchases I've made this year.

Sondheim: Greatest Theatre Genuis of the 20th Century .......2005-11-30

I have been in love with the work of Stephen Sondheim since the age of 6, when I first memorized the lyrics to all of the songs from West Side Story. Mr. Sondheim has give us many, many wonderful pieces of theatre, and several of his best pieces are represented here.

Sweeney Todd: considered by many his masterpiece. I prefer the Angela Lansbury / George Hearn casting, but if they chose to star Betty Boop and Donald Duck it couldn't hurt this material. Brilliant.

Follies in Concert: Follies remains my favorite Sondheim musical and, unlike some other reviewers, I thought the ORIGINAL book was brilliant. The later revised version considerably weakened both characters and plot, and the "concert" version is even more woefully incomplete than the original cast album, but thank GOD they saw fit to include, "Too Many Mornings".

Sunday In The Park With George: Pulitzer Prize winning paean to the creative process; I can even forgive the casting of Mandy Patinkin, one of my least favorite actors. The recreation of Seurat's masterpiece during the first act climax still gives me chills.

Passion: the more I watch this achingly beautiful show, the more I think it's one of Sondheim's greatest scores. Subtle, yes, but if you allow it to, it will grow and grow on you until you can't get it out of your mind. This show is for anyone who has ever loved someone that they couldn't have.

Into The Woods: I saw both Broadway productions and had difficulty choosing which was better. I think the original cast, represented here, had a slight edge. Possibly the most "fun" of Sondheim's shows, this take on Grimm's fairy tales is clever, entertaining and highly satisfying.

The Carnegie Hall tribute is also wonderful.

I have long been of the opinion that Sondheim can do no wrong. His lyrics are thrillingly brilliant, witty beyond all expectations, and his music contains depth that other Broadway composers can only dream of. What is most amazing to me is how he can vary styles and musical periods from show to show to show - no two of his musicals are ever alike, which is more than I can say for many other composers. I don't understand those who like him only to a point; I have friends who love Sweeny, Follies and Night Music, but hate Sunday, Passion and Into the Woods. I think he gets better with each succeeding show.

This set is well worth the investment. Hurry and get it, as some of the individual videos are now unavailable, and who knows how long the boxed set will last.

Average customer rating:

Brilliant!!!
Bernadette ~ The Broadway Babe
Born for Broadway...and Sondheim
Broadway's Best - Bernadette
One of My Best!

Bernadette Peters in Concert
Starring: Bernadette Peters , Paul Baker (VI) , Glenn Carter (III) , Drew Jaymson , and Michael Strassen
Director: Gavin Taylor
Manufacturer: Acorn Media
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Sondheim, Etc.: Bernadette Peters Live at Carnegie Hall
Sondheim Etc. Etc.: Bernadette Peters Live at Carnegie Hall (The Rest of It)
Bernadette Peters Loves Rodgers & Hammerstein
I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
Putting It Together: A Musical Review

ASIN: 1569383448

Amazon.com essential video

Bernadette Peters is a glorious anachronism, a tiny New Yorker with a big voice, coppery pre-Raphaelite curls, and the sort of ripe physicality that made it logical she should ignore PC and have legendary pinup artist Vargas capture her for an album cover portrait. While most of her musical peers were getting funky, getting in touch with themselves, or getting high, Peters was honing her skills as a musical actress, setting her compass by Broadway with occasional detours to Hollywood. Now Peters is acknowledged as one of the Great White Way's natural wonders, a bona fide Tony-winning musical comedy star performing here in her first full-length video concert.

Taped in London's Royal Festival Hall, this 1998 performance expands on the same song list as the 1997 Carnegie Hall debut captured in her CD Sondheim, Etc.: Bernadette Peters Live at Carnegie Hall. Like that show, the London appearance leans on Stephen Sondheim's remarkable canon, including both the shows Peters herself starred in (Into the Woods and Sunday in the Park with George) and those she wished she did. Indeed, her stage patter toys with the facts and fiction in her career, a refreshing wink at her own putative diva-hood. While she's clearly a thinking fan's diva, she also radiates a rare sweetness and a lush sensuality. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews:

Brilliant!!!.......2006-03-22

Bernadette Peters is wonderfull. She has a great voice. You have to order this DVD. You'll enjoy every minute of it.

Bernadette ~ The Broadway Babe.......2006-03-06

Had a great night with friends watching this concert. For anyone who loves the Broadway Musical ~ here is a tribute concert that shines. Her interpretation of Sondheim is magic and the diversity is awesome. We travel through torch songs like, "Not a Day goes by" or "Move On" to "You could drive a Person Crazy" and "Hello Little Girl". I especially enjoyed her slant on "Later".

Broadway Fans will watch this over and over again. Enjoy!!

Born for Broadway...and Sondheim.......2006-01-25

Has there ever been a more natural artistic partnership than that between Bernadette Peters and Stephen Sondheim? Bernadette is one of the few performers I've seen who can handle a Sondheim song and deliver the depth and flavor it needs. It's only natural then that she would devote a good portion of this program to his works.

The program is delightful and Bernadette sparkles and stuns, as usual. One moment she is making jokes in that innocent, baby-doll voice and the next she is belting out a soulful ballad with tremedous power and precision. Some of the songs she sings are humorous, some are sexy, some are dramatic, and all are touching. Bernadette is a national treasure and this movie is a great substitute if you can't see the real thing.

Broadway's Best - Bernadette.......2004-12-24

Everyone knows that Bernadette Peters is one of the most amazing broadway performers, and Sondheim is the king of musical theatre composition. When the first lady of the broadway musical and the king of musical theatre get together, they are unbeatable. Get this DVD and you will watch it over, and over. Bernadette Peters can act a song better than anyone in the world and these songs show her off perfectly.

One of My Best!.......2002-05-07

Bernadette Peters has so great beauty that she looks like cold Greek scalpture or evil enchantress, rather I feel. But I found she is so funny and nice entertainer when I watch this DVD. Sound and pictures are very good and this become one of my best DVD!

Average customer rating:

Brilliant!!!
Bernadette ~ The Broadway Babe
Born for Broadway...and Sondheim
Broadway's Best - Bernadette
One of My Best!

Bernadette Peters in Concert [Region 2]
Starring: Bernadette Peters , Paul Baker (VI) , Glenn Carter (III) , Drew Jaymson , and Michael Strassen
Director: Gavin Taylor
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Sondheim, Etc.: Bernadette Peters Live at Carnegie Hall
Sondheim Etc. Etc.: Bernadette Peters Live at Carnegie Hall (The Rest of It)
Bernadette Peters Loves Rodgers & Hammerstein
I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
Putting It Together: A Musical Review

ASIN: B00005MFII

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

Brilliant!!!.......2006-03-22

Bernadette Peters is wonderfull. She has a great voice. You have to order this DVD. You'll enjoy every minute of it.

Bernadette ~ The Broadway Babe.......2006-03-06

Born for Broadway...and Sondheim.......2006-01-25

Broadway's Best - Bernadette.......2004-12-24

One of My Best!.......2002-05-07

The World's Greatest Concert of Hey, Mr. Producer!: The Musical World of Cameron MacKintosh

Average customer rating:

It is Great...no doubt...BUT...
What is the difference in the 3 dvds?

The World's Greatest Concert of Hey, Mr. Producer!: The Musical World of Cameron MacKintosh
Starring: Julie Andrews , Bernadette Peters , Philip Quast , Andrew Lloyd Webber , and Michael Ball
Manufacturer: Import
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Ballet & Dance | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

( W ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B0002V7RX0
Release Date: 2001-11-06

Customer Reviews:

It is Great...no doubt...BUT..........2005-04-23

IT IS IN CHINESE or some other ASIAN language! The MENU screens and CHAPTER TITLES are not readable! That is the only thing that chaps my "you know what" and there is NO MENTION of that fact when you are ordering it. I originally had the VHS version of the same title, but you know how tapes get after a while. I bought that from CIRCUIT CITY for $7.00! Now to pay $49.00+ for a version I cannot really read...c'mon! However, once you start playinf it, it all melts away and you begin to enjoy the music and theatrical numbers.

What is the difference in the 3 dvds?.......2005-04-22

Could somebody please tell me what the difference is between the 3 dvds listed on Amazon (other than the differences listed in the description). They all have different ASIN numbers and different prices. Is one better than the other? Thank you!

Average customer rating:

It All Depends...
Bernadette's the best
Very Disappointing Concert
Oh Bernadette!

In Concert - the Best of Broadway
Starring: Bernadette Peters
Manufacturer: Unlimited Media (germany)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

( I ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Customer Reviews:

It All Depends..........2003-11-09

If you are a fan of Bernadette because of her magnificent stage career, this isn't the DVD for you. However, the performance itself isn't bad. She sings beautifully, fluttering lightly through the softer songs and belting out the pop ballads. Bernadette does cry during the show, but it doesn't seem to be from disappointment- her cheeks are wet only during the sad songs. To newer fans of Bernadette Peters, I recommend against buying this DVD; to veteran fans, consider what you like about her. Is it her show tunes? Is it her voice, no matter what the song may be? As I said before, the performance itself isn't bad. Bernadette sings beautifully, but it's not like her performance at the Royal Festival Hall in 1998. It's not necessarily worse, it's just different. Basically, I cannot say whether or not you will like this DVD. It all depends on what you like about Bernadette Peters.

Bernadette's the best.......2003-10-30

This is fun for Bernadette Peters fans. It is a glimpse into her past performances and her beautiful voice is entrancing. I would recommend this to Bernadette Peters fans but not anyone else.

Very Disappointing Concert.......2002-10-21

This DVD is a great disappointment. Not only are the picture and sound qualities abysmal, Bernadette and her stage act are equally poor. The end credits indicate that the show is from 1979, so I don't know how well that fits into Bernadette's career development.

Her greatest fans will only cringe on seeing such an embarrassingly poor performance. Sadly too, it transpires that the arranger and conductor was the late and very great Peter Matz which adds to the disappointment!

Oh Bernadette!.......2002-08-09

Bernadette Peters is perhaps the greatest theatrical actress of the last 100 years. This concert which is probably from the very early 80s was held in Canada. The track listing is as follows: 1. Wake Up and Live
2. If You Were the Only Boy
3. Musical Movies Medley
*Little Miss Nobody
4. Betty Grable
5. Broadway Baby
6. He's Sure the Boy I Love
7. Other Lady
8. Harold Arlen Medley:
* Blues in the Night
* Let's Fall in Love
* Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
* Stormy Weather

* Get Happy
* Over the Rainbow
This is actually a DVD with a free CD, and although that is nice, this performance is the weakest I've ever seen the kewpie doll maven perform. The musical arrangements are poor, the jokes aren't funny, and the audience doesn't laugh. Bernadette also cries nearly after every song she sings!
The DVD has very little extras with a brief biography with horrible misprints.

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