BWW Preview: BERNADETTE PETERS at NJPAC

Bernadette Peters will return to New Jersey and NJPAC next week as she continues on what feels like a decade long concert tour. I've seen her perform it live several times including in Atlantic City and let me say it's a must see - including the Bob Mackie gowns and musical direction of Marvin Laird. If you haven't seen the show yet, it's very similar to 'Bernadette Peters in Concert: Live from Royal Festival Hall in London.' But, it's been updated over the years to add more of her current material like a new version of 'Let Me Entertain You,' from Gypsy.

While the three-time Tony Award winning actress has been off the Broadway stage since the revival of Follies closed in 2012, her work is still prevalent in the theater world. Last winter, Into The Woods hit the big screen starring Meryl Streep as The Witch. Of course, we all know Bernadette originated the role on Broadway in 1987. I always wonder what actors think when they see their part being recreated - if it secretly bothers them someone else is taking over or if they learn from it.

Bernadette told Andy Cohen on Bravo's Watch What Happens Live over the summer she enjoyed watching Meryl take on her former part. "I really liked it a lot,' she said on the TV show. "First of all, so people want to know how I felt, I felt that she's such a brilliant actress that I found it very interesting to watch how a brilliant actress performed a role that I knew very well. I'm thinking, 'Now what did she do in that moment? Now how did she get... what did she get out of that? How did she do that one?'... I really enjoyed it." Good answer, Bernadette!

Dames at Sea is also back in the spotlight this season. Bernadette was only 20-years-old when she starred as Ruby in the original off-Broadway 1968 version. Now, just admit you miss seeing this age-less kewpie doll tap dancing on stage. I certainly do! The last time we got such a treat was during the 'Who's That Woman' show-stopping number in Follies. Anyway, Bernadette's role is being played by newbie, Eloise Kropp, who was just in On The Town. So, basically she's going from one show about sailors to the next. Now, if Dames at Sea is any indication of what this show did for Bernadette's lengthy and successful career, then Eloise you're on the right track to 'Star Tar,' I mean, stardom.

Bernadette Peters will perform at NJPAC, Friday, October 16th at 8:00 pm. Tickets range from $29 - $89 and can be purchased here.