Broadway Icon Dazzles on Tony Awards Red Carpet
Broadway legend Bernadette Peters, at 78 years old, made a stunning appearance at the Tony Awards this past Sunday, showing no signs of her age as she graced the red carpet. Known for her formidable talent and cherubic features, Peters achieved significant stage stardom in the 1970s, often drawing comparisons to a kewpie doll.
Her career also saw notable success in film, captivating audiences with her performances in The Jerk and Pennies from Heaven, where she starred opposite Steve Martin. Onstage, she was recognized for her ‘sex kitten’ persona, particularly in concert performances of show tunes like “Broadway Baby” and “There Is Nothing Like a Dame.” Her enduring youthful appeal, however, once led to audience perceptions that she was insufficiently matronly for the role of Mama Rose in a 2003 revival of Gypsy.
Elegant Appearance and Career Highlights
Arriving at Radio City Music Hall for the Tony Awards, Peters exuded an exquisite beauty, reportedly maintained through a rigorous diet and exercise regimen. Her impressively preserved hourglass figure was accentuated by a striking blood-red, off-the-shoulder gown featuring tulle sleeves and a plunging neckline. Complementing her luminous complexion, she wore a bold scarlet lipstick and styled her signature red curls in an elegant updo.
Peters, a two-time competitive Tony Award winner with five additional nominations, was tasked with presenting the award for Best Musical. The trophy was ultimately presented to Lorne Michaels, creator of Saturday Night Live, for his producer role in Schmigadoon!, an Apple TV+ sitcom adaptation about a couple transported into a classic Broadway musical.
Personal Life and Marital News
The legendary performer attended the ceremony with her husband, Tom Sorce. The couple secretly married in 2024, following a two-year relationship that was kept out of the public eye. Sorce, a Broadway sound designer, had previously worked with Peters on the 1985 production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Song and Dance.
Peters revealed news of her marriage a year after the ceremony, in a profile for Long Island Woman. She shared, “I’ve known him 39 years, but our lives went in different directions. Then we started dating two years ago and got married last year. This just felt like the right time because we love each other very much.” She added, “For me, for us, it felt right.”
Previously, Peters was married to financier Michael Wittenberg for nine years until his untimely death in a helicopter crash in 2005 at the age of 43.
A Lasting Legacy on Broadway
Bernadette Peters has left an indelible mark on Broadway, notably as a muse to songwriter Stephen Sondheim. She originated the roles of Dot in his 1984 musical Sunday in the Park with George and the Witch in his 1987 production Into the Woods. Her extensive work includes starring in revivals of Sondheim shows such as Gypsy, A Little Night Music, and Follies. She also stepped into the iconic role of Dolly Levi in the acclaimed 2017 revival of Jerry Herman’s Hello, Dolly!
Her collaboration with Jerry Herman dates back to 1974, when he composed songs for one of her early Broadway shows, the Old Hollywood tragedy Mack & Mabel. Most recently, Peters showcased her star power in the Sondheim revue Old Friends, which premiered in England in 2022 before transferring to Broadway last year.
Discipline in Diet and Fitness
A decade ago, Peters discussed her disciplined approach to maintaining her physique in a widely shared interview. Her daily routine reportedly began with a cup of coffee and three grapefruit slices, accompanied by tea with hemp powder and occasionally a small portion of oatmeal.
“I don’t eat a big breakfast. Because then I’ll go down to the gym. I like to run. I do intervals. I work with a trainer three times a week,” she stated, noting that her fitness regimen also includes weight training. “I eat a lot of sashimi, especially when I’m in a show. My diet is pretty clean. Just protein, vegetables, and salad – basically that’s what I try to stick with,” Peters explained.
She elaborated on her approach to dietary control: “I don’t say: ‘I’m going to have a cheat day.’ I think I’ve gotten past that. But I don’t keep things in the house,” she confessed. “My poor friend came over and she felt peaked and she said: ‘Do you have a cracker?’ and I said: ‘Oh, unfortunately, I don’t have any crackers in this house.’ Because if it’s around, I’ll eat it.” Peters also mentioned sharing a KIND bar with her assistant to manage calorie intake and occasionally consuming a piece of boiled potato, which she prepared for her dog, describing it as a vegetable.
