The Grande Dame of Broadway graced Austin for the first time in 15 years at the Paramount Theater last night; same place we saw Weird Al. How I was so looking forward to see her perform live again. After catching Bernadette on Broadway for the Annie Get Your Gun Revival, I’ve been addicted to her material. She’s on our wedding mix covering a Billy Joel song. I developed a crush as a boy for Bernadette back when she appeared in The Jerk, The Martian Chronicles and numerous appearances on The Carol Burnett Show. This might explain why my Dad feared I was gay or how the rumor spread amongst my cousins when I “disappeared” (I just fell off the family radar when I moved to Austin).
Bernadette’s set list was a mix of show tunes, namely Sondheim because she has starred in many of his musicals (Into the Woods, Sunday in the Park with George, oddly not Sweeney Todd) but there Rogers & Hammerstein. I did like her cover of “Fever” which was Peggy Lee’s trademark. It would’ve been cool if she sang Lyle Lovett’s tune from I’ll be Your Baby Tonight.
Accompanying her was Cubby O’Brien on the drums. Our parents or grandparents would recognize him as one of the original Mousekateers. He was also in Carol Burnett’s (show) band and the Carpenters. Bernadette’s music director for the last 30 years was present (totally forgot his name); I thought he looked familiar from my Broadway evening. The remainder was Parmount’s very own orchestra, they’re quite good.
Beyond the singing, she was very funny. Bernadette told jokes, teased the audience (“It’s great to be here in Tucson!”), tried to sell her Florida vacation home, commented on her signature hair (someone gave her a ton of Paul Mitchell products this week) and made light of flubs during a couple songs. It’s no wonder Bernadette continues to be a star after five decades. The lady is amazingly talented. I even sat through the stinkburger Heartbeeps on Netflix for her; I loved how makeup legend Stan Winston integrated the hair in the robot design.
Lastly, Bernadette brought the crowd to its feet by announcing that she was donating all the profit from the evening to Austin’s animal shelter. She and Mary Tyler Moore are huge dog lovers (yet she was the voice of Rita the Cat on Animaniacs) so this wasn’t much of a surprise. OK, giving all the money was, I don’t blame the lady for trying to make a living if she kept some.
Sorry about the lack of pictures. I haven’t had any luck finding some to get permission for re-use from any other attendees.