BWW Reviews: Bernadette Peters' New Year's Eve Concert at the Eccles Center Was a Smashing Success

Bernadette Peters' New Year's Eve concert at the Eccles Center, presented by the Park City Institute, was a smashing success.

A 3-time Tony Award winner, Ms. Peters is also a Golden Globe, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Award winner and has received Grammy and Emmy nominations. She was joined on stage by a fabulous 10-piece orchestra.

Ms. Peters' dynamic concert in Park City reflected the many facets of her oeuvre: whimsical, flamboyant, seductive, introspective, profound, and more.

The set list was filled with music by Rodgers and Hammerstein (including songs from CAROUSEL and SOUTH PACIFIC) and especially Stephen Sondheim (including songs from SWEENEY TODD and COMPANY).

The climax of the evening was Ms. Peters' performance of two songs from her acclaimed turn in the recent Broadway revival of Sondheim's FOLLIES: "In Buddy's Eyes" and "Losing My Mind." She was transformed into the character and gave a mesmerizing, heartbreaking portrayal of a woman in love.

Other high points included the beautifully entrancing "Children Will Listen" and "No One is Alone" from Sondheim's INTO THE WOODS (in which she famously originated the role of the Witch on Broadway) and "Send in the Clowns" from her Broadway run in Sondheim's A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC.

The concert was a thoroughly entertaining opportunity to see a living legend do what she does best. An ovation is well deserved by the Park City Institute for treating Utah audiences to such talent.

For more information about and to purchase tickets for future shows at the Eccles Center, call the box office at 435-655-3114 or visit www.ecclescenter.org.

Photo Credit: Bernadette Peters. Photo by Andrew Eccles.

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