The first thing most people associate with Bernadette Peters is her hair, that luscious crimson mane that is as identifiable as her affection for the works of Stephen Sondheim.
Both her tresses and her creamy voice, which has steered many a soaring ballad, will be on display Saturday when Peters headlines a concert at Atlanta Symphony Hall as part of the second Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Gala.
The two-time Tony winner (for “Song and Dance” and “Annie Get Your Gun”) recently wrapped a successful return to Broadway in a revival of Sondheim’s “Follies” and can be seen in the hyped NBC love letter to Broadway, “Smash,” playing the mother of Megan Hilty’s character, Ivy Lynn.
And to look at her, it’s hard to believe that the spunky redhead born Bernadette Lazzara turns 64 at the end of February.
Calling recently from New York, Peters talked about her upcoming performance in Atlanta, her charity work and her Zen philosophy about choosing roles.
Q: You’re going to perform with the ASO. What can we expect to hear from you?
A: Well, I do things from shows I’ve been in and some I didn’t sing in. Of course I’ll do a lot of Sondheim, Rodgers & Hammerstein. I’ll do Peggy Lee’s “Fever” on piano, probably “When You Wish Upon a Star.”
Q: Do you like being up there alone on stage compared to being part of an ensemble?
A: I love it, actually. In a show you’re playing a role and everything revolves around the character, which is fun and involving. In the concert world, there is no fourth wall so you can say whatever you want. You’re all in the room together for this little adventure. I’m there to entertain you. I might become a character for a song or two, I might tell a joke. I’m not, like, telling the story of my life, but the songs have a beautiful arc to them.
Q: You had taken a break from Broadway, but came back [in 2010] for “A Little Night Music” and “Follies.” Did you miss Broadway during your time off?
A: Not really. I like to do shows wherever the role is great and the writing is good. When I was offered ‘Night Music,’ I wasn’t even that familiar with the show. Usually I know a role through the music and [my character] Desiree basically has one song, though it is a good one [‘Send in the Clowns’]! But what a joy it was to start exploring and discovering. It’s a perfect show. The script and the writing never lets you down.
Q: What is it about the songs of Sondheim that you love?
A: He writes the music and the lyrics and he sort of approaches it like an actor. Each show that he writes is like a new role that he takes on. In ‘Sunday in the Park with George,’ it was about the painter, so the music was like the brush hitting the canvas. All of his [musicals] are so amazing. When I went to see ‘Night Music,’ I went, ‘Oh my God, the man who wrote this wrote ‘Into the Woods’ and ‘Follies’?’ He’s just a phenomenon.
Q: Tell me about your role on “Smash.”
A: I play the mother of Megan Hilty’s character, who is a Broadway performer of some note. When she walks into a room, everyone knows who she is. Ivy [Hilty’s character] and I don’t have a great relationship.
Q: You’re always active, whether it’s on stage, movies or TV. How do you think you’ve managed to survive and thrive?
A: Maybe I’ve been very fortunate. I’ve had a wonderful career on Broadway due to the great material. Stephen [Sondheim] had a lot to do with it.
Q: You and your friend Mary Tyler Moore co-founded Broadway Barks a decade or so ago and you do so much other charity work. How do you decide what to endorse?
A: I try to focus on what moves me. I went to the city animal shelter that no one was paying attention to, and it needed attention. But, you know everything is important. It’s all worthy of bringing it to people’s attention…We have a [Broadway Barks] event every year and all the celebrities come out and meet the animals and bring them onstage and try to get them adopted. We’ve had great success with it.
Q: You’ve also been successful at looking great. How do you manage that?
A: I have really good genes. I’m Italian and I think we look good for a long time. I know the value of exercise and eating right, so all the time I’m trying to eat healthy.
Q: You’ve have such an illustrious career. What is left?
A: There’s always something left. There’s always something presented to you that you go, ‘Hmm, what’s this?’ There’s always something to learn. I learned a long time ago that, for me, it doesn’t work when I go looking. I have to trust the universe.
Concert preview
Bernadette Peters with Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. 7:30 p.m. Feb.18. $35-$90 (concert only); gala packages begin at $500. Atlanta Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-733-5000, www.atlantasymphony.org.
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