Her resume reads like a list of some of the most monumental roles in some of the most significant musicals of the last few decades. In fact, her career could even be called “legendary.” She’s Bernadette Peters, and on Saturday, Aug. 18, she’s coming to Kansas City for a one-night concert at the Kauffman Center.
As any music aficionado will tell you, her songs are among the sweetest out there. A native of Ozone Park, N.Y., she began her performing career at the tender age of 3, with appearances on programs like Juvenile Jury and Name That Tune. But her first memory of singing in a theater is about a Carnegie Hall performance.
“I was around 3½ or 4,” she remembers, “and it was an Easter show. That was the first time I was on stage, and I sang ‘Dites-Moi’ from South Pacific.”
At age 19, she gained wide critical acclaim playing Josie Cohan, opposite Joel Grey as her brother George M. Cohan, in the classic musical George M!. Since then, Peters has become one of Broadway’s most sought-after stars, performing songs by some of the greatest composers and lyricists of our time -- including Jerry Herman, Betty Comden and Adolph Green, and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Some of these songs were even written specifically for her.
At age 47, Peters became the youngest person ever to be inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame, in 1996. She won Tony Awards for her celebrated performance in Webber’s hit musical Song and Dance (1985) and for her portrayal of Annie Oakley in the hit re-envisioning of Annie Get Your Gun (1999). The lady has had seven Tony nominations in all, among them for her work in Jerry Herman and Gower Champion’s ode to silent movie pioneers, Mack & Mabel, Neil Simon’s musical adaptation of The Goodbye Girl, and Stephen Sondheim’s Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece Sunday in the Park With George.
If there’s one artist whose imagination and originality has informed Peters’ dazzling career, it would be Sondheim.
“Mr. Steve Sondheim keeps giving me these great things to be able to say and to sing and to feel, and I just thank him every day for his music,” she says. “He says so much, and it’s always so interesting. You never get tired of singing his songs.
“He goes so deep with what he writes about. I really describe it as: you think he’s writing about something and then you go, NO -- he’s writing about SOMETHING!”
So strongly does she connect with Sondheim’s music that once, back when she was preparing for another big concert at Carnegie Hall (recorded on her CD Sondheim, Etc.), she was suddenly inspired to re-organize the entire second half in order to dedicate it solely to his work.
“I don’t know if I’d do that again,” she says with a laugh, “but I wanted to do a whole new second act, and the songs I kept getting attracted to, musically and lyrically, were Steve Sondheim’s.”
Peters says that “No One Is Alone” from Sondheim’s Into the Woods remains one of her favorite songs to perform.
“I think it’s a really beautiful song that says so much and is very interesting,” she says. “You think it’s saying you’re never alone, but the point it’s truly making is that you need to have the courage to think — and believe in what you think. You are not alone, and there’s someone else in the world who’s going through exactly what you are, or something similar to it.”
Peters divulged some of what ticket-holders for her Kansas City concert can look forward to.
“I’ll do ‘Some Enchanted Evening’ by Rodgers and Hammerstein, and Peggy Lee’s ‘Fever,’ and I sing ‘When You Wish Upon a Star’” she says. “And I’ve added two songs I sang in Follies,” the revival of which she most recently starred in. It’s a show she is unabashedly enthusiastic about.
“That was a gift!” she proclaims of the entire experience.
Attributing the intense devotion the show has engendered over the years to “hit after hit of recognizable songs,” she cites some of them: “‘Broadway Baby,’ ‘Losing My Mind,’ ‘Leave You,’ ‘Too Many Mornings,’ ‘In Buddy’s Eyes’ -- and so, so many. It’s just a gorgeous – GORGEOUS -- score, and a very entertaining, if a very heart-wrenching, story.”
Beyond her dynamic voice and incredible talent, Peters has used her status to assist numerous charities and philanthropic organizations that operate in the theatrical community and beyond. One such group is Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, which is devoted to assisting people whose lives have been affected by HIV and AIDS.
“Thank God for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS,” she declares, recounting how her initial involvement with the group began through participation in various fundraising events like their annual Gypsy of the Year Competition, a variety show that features chorus members, and their equally popular Easter Bonnet Competition, in which the companies from each season’s hottest shows design, then parade, colorfully decorated headwear that is based on their productions.
“We actually won that year for Annie Get Your Gun, and it just kind of swept me into it,” she says. “But before that, I did a concert at Carnegie Hall for GMHC [Gay Men‘s Health Crisis>.”
That particular occasion was a special all-star concert version of Sondheim’s cult favorite Anyone Can Whistle, which was recorded and released on CD.
Last year, Broadway Cares honored Peters and her tireless efforts with a Christmas ornament cast in her likeness that was introduced into their “Broadway Legends” line of holiday tree decorations.
“Oh my God, it’s something to be really proud of,” she says. “It’s me, and Carol Channing and the others -- it made me feel great!”
Add to this her work promoting marriage equality and it should come as no surprise that she received the Special Advocate Award from the City of New York for her contributions to the gay and lesbian community.
Of her many fans within the LGBT community, she says, “they’re more expressive -- when there are a lot of gay people in the audience, I think that the audience gets ‘personality’ and they bring the rest of the audience with them, encouraging everyone else to not hold back and to applaud and laugh and express themselves. It’s wonderful!”
There’s a point in 1974’s Mack &
WhistlePig and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Wind Tunnel-Trialed Whiskey Is a Ryed You Don’t Want to Miss
SHOREHAM, VT (September 13, 2023) — WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.
The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is bottled at 96.77 proof, a nod to Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the precision of racing. Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, this Rye Whiskey is finished with lychee and oolong tea. Herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye, rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice.
Like Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s signature C43 racing vehicles, trial barrels were tested in the team’s wind tunnel in Switzerland before hitting the track. Select barrels then endured varying levels of G-Forces at the WhistlePig farm and distillery for the finishing touch, accelerating the interaction between the whiskey and the wood, staying true to the physical nature of Formula 1.
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"Joining forces with WhistlePig to release a Single Barrel Rye Whiskey that represents my culture and team has been an honor,” said Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s driver. “Formula 1 brings together fearless, thrill-seeking motorsports professionals, and WhistlePig has a shared passion for boundary-pushing innovation. Together, we’ve selected something alarmingly good for fans to enjoy this season when the cars are not on track.”
The Limited Edition Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel will be available for purchase online starting around September 13 for $49.99 MSRP per 750ml bottle and sold in select stores across the U.S. Consumers can win VIP merchandise by scanning the QR code on the back of each bottle.
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Fans and collectors have followed WhistlePig PiggyBack Legends Series, celebrating those who give 100% in the name of greatness, since its launch in March 2022 with Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, David Ortiz (“Big Papi”), followed by Country Music Duo Brothers Osborne in November 2022.
To learn more about WhistlePig Whiskey, visit whistlepigwhiskey.com. You can also check out WhistlePig Whiskey on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About WhistlePig Whiskey
Located off the grid on a 500-acre Vermont farm, WhistlePig Whiskey is crafted by a new generation of whiskey distillers and blenders driven to reinvent and unlock the flavor of Rye whiskey. Through their rebellious pursuit of experimenting and pushing boundaries in the industry, WhistlePig has become the leading independent craft whiskey brand for innovation. WhistlePig is committed to becoming the best whiskey on and for the planet, starting with its locally sourced ingredients and sustainable supply chain and distilling process. For more information, head to whistlepigwhiskey.com.
When I started medical transition at 20 years old, it was very difficult to get the care I needed for hormone replacement therapy because there are very few providers trained in starting hormones for trans people, even though it’s very similar to the hormones that we prescribe to women in menopause or cisgender men with low testosterone.
I hope more providers get trained in LGBTQ+ healthcare, so they can support patients along their individual gender journey, and provide the info needed to make informed decisions about their body. I’ve personally seen my trans patients find hope and experience a better quality of life through hormone replacement therapy.
If you don’t have a primary care physician who specializes in LGBTQ+ care in your community, you may need to educate yourself (and your provider). But, before you seek such therapy, here are five things you should know!
- Monitor closely. At Spectrum Medical Care Center, we screen patients for certain risks before starting anyone on hormones. We frequently monitor patients in the first year to ensure there are no adverse reactions and lab results are within safe ranges. Follow-up care is also important to assess your comfort with the transition as well as the social impact and social support you’re experiencing.
- Some changes are permanent, some temporary. For transmasculine individuals going on testosterone, they’ll experience these permanent changes: deepened voice, clitoral enlargement (also known as bottom growth), more body, facial hair, and male pattern baldness. Reversible changes include cessation of menses, increased muscle mass and strength, body fat redistribution, and skin oiliness or acne. For those going on estrogen therapy, the most permanent change is breast growth. Feminizing hormone therapy can also cause atrophy (shrinkage) of the genitals and loss of erectile function that may not be reversible. Estrogen will thin body hair, soften the skin, can increase scalp hair, and decrease muscle mass and strength, all of which are reversible.
- You can’t pick and choose results. Unfortunately, you can’t pick and choose the physical changes you want, which may feel challenging. Some of my patients will say, ‘Okay, ‘I’ve seen the permanent changes I want, and I don’t want it to go any further,’ and so at that point, we stop therapy. Low-dose hormone therapy can slow down the rate of changes, allowing for a more gradual physical transition. We counsel patients in advance about the common changes, and it’s up to the individual as to when they’d like to scale back and determine whether some benefits are worth the potential risks.
- Be aware of risks. Like any medical treatment, there are potential risks involved. Some risks with testosterone therapy include increased red blood cell mass, acne, hypertension, sleep apnea, weight gain, and dyslipidemia (increases the chance of clogged arteries). Cardiovascular disease is likely increased with additional risk factors for testosterone and estrogen therapy. Transfeminine patients going on estrogen therapy may experience weight gain, thromboembolic disease (when a blood clot breaks off and blocks another blood vessel), and a high level of triglycerides in the blood.
Descanso Resort, Palm Springs' premier destination for gay men, just received Tripadvisor's highest honor, a Travelers' Choice "Best of the Best" award for 2023. Based on guests' reviews and ratings, fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor's 8 million listings around the world receive the coveted "Best of the Best" designation. Descanso ranked 12th in the top 25 small inns and hotels category in the United States. Quite an accomplishment!
Open less than two years, Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from Palm Springs' buzziest restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping. Descanso has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of 5-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in Trapadvisor's top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.
"Our entire team is honored to be named Best of the Best. To be the only gay men's resort recognized in the Top 1% is incredibly humbling," said Kent Taylor, General Manager at Descanso. "We appreciate Tripadvisor and we're grateful to all our guests who gave us such high marks and reviews to help us reach this achievement."
“Ranking among the Best of the Best demonstrates that you have provided exemplary experiences to those who maZer most: your guests,” said John Boris, Chief Growth Officer at Tripadvisor. “With changing expectations, continued labor shortages, and rising costs, this is no easy feat, and I am con6nually impressed with the hospitality industry’s resilience and ability to adapt.”
Santiago Resort was once again honored by Tripadvisor with a 2023 Travelers’ Choice award, placing it among the top 10% of travelers’ top reviewed des6na6ons. Twin Palms will become eligible for ranking in 2024.
Check out all the reviews, and discover more about Descanso Resort on Tripadvisor here. We have an excellent library of resort imagery available to accompany editorial and additional resources on our press page. Please contact Descanso Resort’s General Manager, Kent Taylor, at kent@descansoresort.com for further information.
About Descanso Resort
Inspired by Palm Springs’ history as a des6na6on for Hollywood stars to unwind in privacy, Descanso offers guests a casual yet modern take on the legendary style of that 6me. Created by the same hospitality team that revitalized Palm Springs’ much-loved San6ago Resort and recently launched the all-new Twin Palms Resort, the Descanso property opened in 2022 featuring 15 spacious guest rooms with custom-designed furniture, dreamy King-size beds, and luxe details. Ameni6es include continental breakfast, poolside lunch, welcome snack basket, and lots of special touches. For guests who need to stay connected, the entire property is equipped with blazing-fast Wi-Fi. Mul6-speed bikes are available for exploring the surrounding midcentury neighborhoods and public art installations. Like the Hollywood stars before them, guests at Descanso are encouraged to unwind, relax, and rest in style.
About Tripadvisor
Travelers across the globe use the Tripadvisor site and app to discover where to stay, what to do and where to eat based on guidance from those who have been there before. With more than 1 billion reviews and opinions of nearly 8 million businesses, travelers turn to Tripadvisor to find deals on accommodations, book experiences, reserve tables at delicious restaurants and discover great places nearby.