Peters sings Broadway
in own style

By John Berger
Special to the Star-Bulletin

BERNADETTE Peters has taken some hits from critics for not being an old-style Broadway belter or operatically trained vocalist, and for switching too abruptly between different facets of her repertoire. A near-capacity crowd in the Blaisdell Concert Hall gave Peters a standing ovation over the weekend. She earned it.

The Tony-winning performer was in great form on all counts. Poured into an unforgiving red dress, she sang songs from last year's album. Songs from other albums. Complicated, introspective Sondheim classics. A poppy sing-along medley - "We're in the Money"/"Pennies from Heaven" - that she punched up by switching to pig Latin and tossing prop "pennies" into the audience.

Peters' comic-sexy side kicked in early as she reclined atop musical director Marvin Laird's piano for a sultry salute to Dick Tracy and Madonna. The climax of her risque material came with "When You're Making Love Alone." The crowd loved it.

Peters made "Broadway Baby" memorable by interpreting it seductively rather than as the usual exercise in simple brassiness - and by her ability to articulate the underlaying optimism of the song.

Other songs were marvelous because she sang without theatrics and cuteness. Solid vocal technique and emotional depth made "Not a Day Goes By" and "Faithless Love" dramatic highs in her 63-minute show.