Betty Buckley in Song and Dance

[TheatreFreak05]

I was wondering if anyone ever saw Betty in Song and Dance when she replaced Bernadette Peters. I'm listening to a video of her singing Tell Me on a Sunday from her run (you can find it on that site) and it is SO beautifully sung.

I honestly would have given anything to see her. Can anyone tell me how she was in this show?

[J52]

I would have loved to see both Bernadette and Betty in this piece. The part is such a tour de force for a musical theatre actress. So wonderful that they are still around, both taking on another great female lead role.

[tomwsjr]

I would love to hear about or see a clip from Betty Buckley in Song and Dance. I saw Bernadette twice, she was outstanding!

[Jarethan]

I did not see Betty Buckley in the role -- as I remember, it closed pretty quickly after Peters left -- but I did see BP and Marti Webb, who originated the role in London.  I am a big fan of BP, but -- Tony award or not -- she paled in comparison to Marti Webb, who was so perfect in the role.  Coincidentally, I listened to the London recording within the past 72 hours, probably the first time I have heard it in 2 - 3 years, and it is so much better than the mediocre NY version.  It was recorded live, which really added to the enjoyment of what was essentially a one-person concert that happened to tell a story.  (I can't remember if the BP version was live). 

I would encourage you to see try to get a copy of the original London Cast recording.  Marti is great in the Song portion and the Dance portion is so much more thrilling than the Broadway version, which was too 'homogenized' for me.

[markypoo]

I saw this show in London in the Summer of 1982; way before it debuted on Broadway, with an actress by the name of Genna Craven in the leading female role.
Anyone else remember her?
She was good enough for my money.

[astromiami]

It was Gemma Graven. Probably best known for play Bob Hoskin's wife in Pennies from Heaven.

[ajh]

Gemma Craven has had quite the career, although she doesn’t seem to work much now. She was Cinderella opposite Richard Chamberlains in the movie The Slipper & The Rose, Amalia in a UK TV version of She Loves Me, was the original British Sonia Walsk in the West End première of They’re Playing Our Song, and played Luke Evans’ Mum in the London Taboo (her role was cut in the Broadway version).

[devonian.t]

Gemma was also a fantastic Nellie Forbush in London!

Sarah Brightman sang a very nice Song & Dance too.  Sorry, never saw BB, but was never keen on the lyric re-writes.

[Bronxfan]

Gemma Craven won the Olivier Award (back when it was still called the SWET award) for They're Playing Our Song in 1979.

[theaterdude2]

I saw her in the show, but I was very disappointed. Not her fault, but I knew the score with Bernadette singing it off by heart, but I couldn't get to NY soon enough and I missed her doing it. 

From what I can remember, Betty did a fine job. The only things that bothered me about her performance were the things that still bother me to this day. As much as I admire and respect her talent, her voice is very abrasive at times. It's not a "pretty" sound. And the whole time I kept thinking I was seeing "the replacement", which didn't help matters. 

No problems stood out, she did it exactly as I would have imagine Bernadette - but I felt ripped off. These days, I would go see a show on purpose to see the replacement, but back then all I cared about was seeing the person who originated the role. 

I've seen and enjoyed Betty on stage in many things, Gypsy at Paper Mill and Sunset on Bway are the standouts for me. Also I worked with her on something years later and unfortunately, the stories I'd heard were true, at least that day - she was very, very difficult and demanding.

 

[Auggie27]

Buckley's touch is not light. The score was effortlessly sung, some of it thrillingly, but the character wasn't in her wheelhouse, and she had to try to find a way into the charm and innocence of this young woman. She seemed a little at odds with the accent and milieu. They had trouble costuming her, infamously, and you could tell.  

[Buscee]

I was lucky enough to see both actresses play the part. I really liked Betty, but she came across older where Bernadette seem still young and naive enough that made it more believable. Betty has an amazing belt and it was very strong. Maybe too strong? I actually at one point had a recording of her in the show. Wish I still had it.

[morosco]

Anyone see Melissa Manchester in the role?  I seem to recall that folks were pleased with her performance.  Here she sings "Unexpected Song" without that very high final note that I've always hated.

Melissa Manchester Unexpected Song

[bryan2]

I saw Betty and she sang the hell out of the role...very different than BP who I also saw..

huge fan of both....so great for me lol

[JBradshaw]

Buscee said: "I was lucky enough to see both actresses play the part. I really liked Betty, but she came across older where Bernadette seem still young and naive enough that made it more believable. Betty has an amazing belt and it was very strong. Maybe too strong? I actually at one point had a recording of her in the show. Wish I still had it."

I have a recording of her in it a friend made, not sure if it’s the same you had. I’d be happy to share when I find it. 

 

[Buscee]

That's very nice of you J Bradshaw. I would love it.

[And Peggy]

Auggie27 said: "They had trouble costuming her, infamously, and you could tell."

 

I would LOVE to hear more about this!

 

[Cat Guy]

Auggie27 said: "They had trouble costuming her, infamously, and you could tell."

 

BALDERDASH

 

[JBradshaw]

I have it uploaded

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