|
||||||
 |
University presents Broadway star Betty Buckley
"Betty Buckley: Deep in the Heart" is a presentation of the Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts' University Series. Included on the program will be Buckley's signature song, "Memory," which she made famous in her Tony Award-winning role as Grizabella in Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Cats." She'll also sing "With One Look" and/or "As If We Never Said Goodbye" from Webber's "Sunset Boulevard" for which she received an Olivier Award nomination for the London production and rave reviews on Broadway. Buckley will also include a medley from "My Fair Lady" and tunes by James Taylor and Mary Chapin Carpenter. "It will be a mixture of all sorts of music," said Sylvia Bierschenk, director of Arts Information at SFA. "Ms. Buckley has a vast repertoire from which to choose, and she plans on announcing her program from the stage." "Deep in the Heart" is one of many programs Buckley performs in concert halls and intimate settings throughout the country. When she presented the program in her native Fort Worth, Punch Shaw of the Fort Worth Star Telegram wrote, "[Buckley] made the audience feel as though they were in her living room rather than a concert hall. What really set her apart in this show (and in her career) is her phrasing. Buckley lets the tune dictate her approach, adjusting the phrasing to conform to the composition's plan. It was a beautiful thing to watch and hear." Robert L Daniels of Variety attributes the success of "Deep in the Heart" to Buckley's combination of talents. "Being a knowing actress and confident singer with a bold, rangy voice, Buckley knows how to tell a story, be it a Broadway showstopper or a bluesy roadhouse tearjerker. The luster of Buckley's voice and the honesty of her singing makes it all supremely satisfying, be it Covent Garden or the Grand Ol' Opry." And Variety's Andrew Gans said "it's her unerring dramatic abilities that make the evening so powerful." Buckley is one of Broadway's most highly acclaimed artists. She made her Broadway debut as Martha Jefferson in "1776" and since then has appeared in "Pippin," "Song and Dance," "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and "Carrie." In 1997 she received her second Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance as Hesione in "Triumph of Love." Her film appearances include Brian de Palma's screen version of Stephen King's "Carrie," Bruce Beresford's "Tender Mercies," Roman Polanski's "Frantic," Woody Allen's "Another Woman" and Lawrence Kasden's "Wyatt Earp." Most recently, Buckley co-starred in the CBS film "Vinegar Hill." She has also starred in the HBO series "Oz" and appeared in the FOX series "The Jury," "Monk" for the USA network and as Abby Bradford in the hit series "Eight is Enough." Buckley has completed 10 compact discs, among them the Grammy-nominated "Stars and the Moon, Betty Buckley Live at the Donmar" and most recently "The Doorway." For over 30 years Buckley has been a teacher of scene study and song interpretation, giving workshops in Manhatten and various universities and performing arts conservatories. She has been a faculty member in the theatre department of the University of Texas at Arlington and currently teaches bi-annually at the Terry Schrieber Acting School in New York City. "Betty Buckley: Deep in the Heart" is sponsored in part by Commercial Bank of Texas. Audience members are invited to a pre-concert reception honoring the sponsor at 6:45 p.m. in Griffith Gallery. At 7 p.m., Alan Nielsen, SFA professor of theatre, will give an informative talk about Buckley. Immediately after the concert, Buckley's recordings will be on sale in the lobby, and the singer/actress will be available for autographs. Tickets are $30 for A seating, $24 for B seating and $15 for C seating. Discounts are available for seniors, students and children. For tickets or more information, please visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS. For more information about Buckley, visit her Web site at www.bettybuckley.com.
|
|
||
 |
