Bernadette Peters’ Broadway Barks Roared Onto Shubert Alley this Weekend
Bernadette Peters & James Franco co-hosted the event
It was warm and muggy, but the many dogs and cats looking to find forever homes at the 16th annual Broadway Barks event this weekend didn’t seem to mind. They were receiving plenty of lovin’ from the stars of Broadway’s hottest shows, who came by to raise awareness around pet adoption. Founded by Mary Tyler Moore and Bernadette Peters to help animals after a successful 90’s Broadway CARES event, Broadway Barks had twenty-eight New York-area shelters participating this year, showing off their adorable adoptables. Since Mary Tyler Moore isn’t well enough to co-host with Peters, each year someone else does it. This year, James Franco did, and both the ladies and gents in the large crowd showed their appreciation. On Saturday, it truly were the barks (and meows) heard on Broadway that was the best and biggest show, and the varieties of its stars was a sight to behold!
When Bark and Swagger first arrived, this adorable little guy greeted us, showing off his super cool boy New York spirit.
NY cool dude
These two gorgeous Great Danes were there with the Mid Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League.
Dapper Danes
For my celebrity interviews, I wanted to do something different. So, instead of asking them why they were there and about their latest project, I came up with a few questions about their pets, that other people may not be asking. What memory did they have of their first pet? What do our pets teach us? What do they think of pet fashion and, if they have a pet currently, would they dress them? What I got were some fun stories and tidbits, giving insight into their childhood and life. Here are some of my favorites.
Bernadette Peters
Memory of your first pet? “My first pet was Susie. She looked like a duck-tolling retriever, but she was a mutt and was our family dog. We loved her very, very much.”
What do our pets teach us? “When my Kramer was going through chemotherapy, when he felt good, he’d come home and throw toys up in the air. I feel good today! So, I think they teach us to stay in the moment, and appreciate what we have in life.”
Bebe Neuwirth (kitty not included)
Bebe Neuwirth, starring in the new CBS tv series, Blue Bloods.
Memory of your first pet? “Uh! You’re going to make me cry! We had some cats when I was very young; we couldn’t have them for very long. [I dared not ask her why. If she actually started crying, I’d feel awful!] But, when I was 19, I was able to adopt a cat, when I was on the road with A Chorus Line. We were in Milwaukee, and I went to the Children’s Zoo. Part of their exhibit were kittens…and puppies and bunnies and, you know, baby animals. I inquired if I could adopt that kitten over there, so she was my first.”
What do our pets teach us? “Unconditional love. We commit to taking care of them, in sickness and health, for the rest of their lives. And, it’s the most rewarding thing you can do.”
What do you think about pet fashion? [Laughs]. “Only if the animal wants to. [Shrugging…] I don’t believe it.”
Audra McDonald & pup
Audra McDonald, portraying Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson Bar & Grill
I am a big fan of Audra McDonald. Watched her every week in The Practice and love her energy. Meeting her and speaking for a few minutes just made me like her even more. Girl knows how to tell a story.
Memory of your first pet? “My first pet traveled across the country with me when I moved from Virginia to Fresno. I was about 9 months old. I don’t remember that but, he and I got involved with a big ol’ thing of cough syrup once. They had to give us this stuff to make you throw up. My mom put me and the dog in the bathtub, and we sat there throwing up for hours. It’s one of the earliest memories I have: sitting in the tub with my dog, barfing.”
Do you have a current pet? “I have two rescue dogs; a 2 year old Shepherd/Husky mix named Georgia, and a 5 year old I don’t know what he is, but he’s from Bark [one of the participating rescue orgs], actually, named Butler.”
Are you a pet fashion believer? “No, but one day, I came downstairs, and the kids had put their clothes on the dog.”
Victoria Clark with rescue pup
Tony Award-winning actress, Victoria Clark, starring in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella
What do our pets teach us? “They teach us how to love, because they’re the best lovers in the world. They’re very forgiving. They don’t remember the bad stuff; they just remember the good. And, they teach us to be in the moment, I think more than anything.”
Memory of your first pet? “She was a Sheltie mix, and she used to sit on the piano bench with me and sing.”
James Snyder & Jenn Colella of If/Then
photo credit: Rick Edwards
Jenn Colella, star of If/Then
Memory of your first pet? “That’s easy! Polly Darton! She was from the ASPCA; a perfect dog. She was part bird dog, and she could jump! I taught her a trick where she would jump and bump butts with me. The most amazing dog ever!”
What do our pets teach us? “Pets teach us about unconditional love, absolutely, and to remind us of what’s important, which is taking care of one another.”
l to r: Ava Ulloa, Paige Brady, Ripley Sobo & Gabriella Pizzolo
Gabriella Pizzolo, Ripley Sobo, Paige Brady & Ava Ulloa – The Four Mathildas
The four ten year old girls, who each portray Mathilda in the Broadway hit, Mathilda, were there, and I had to get a picture of them, all together, and talk to them. They were too cute!
Tell me about your pets and what they teach you:
Gaby: “I have two small cats named Felix and Dexter. They’re always there for you and you’re always going to have to be there for them.” ‘Nuff said!
Ripley: “I have a gold fish, named Mr. Ecofish! [Rolling her eyes] My goldfish doesn’t do too much! But, it definitely teaches you responsibility.”
Paige: [With unbridled enthusiasm] “I have a Pug named Bijou! Our pets teach us to be loyal!”
Ava: [Cocking her head to the side, with a big smile] “I have a cat named Samantha.” [Yelling back to me, as event organizers were pulling them away to go onstage] “Pets are like family!” Quick thinking from a little girl.
Justin Guarini
Justin Guarini, starring in Wicked
Remember Justin Guarini? The curly-haired kid, who was the runner up on the debut season of American Idol? He’s all grown up, married with three kids. And, a Broadway star. He gave me some fun stuff.
Memory of your first pet? “I loved him so much. His name was Phoenix; he was a cat and I was in college. Every time I would go to classes, he would be at the door mewing, mewing, and we weren’t allowed to have pets. Part of me was torn because I hated to leave him, and the other part was scared because I didn’t want them to take him away!”
What do our pets teach us? “To be in the moment, to be present, because they’re eternally present. They’re not worried about what’s happening in the past or future, other than getting some food, maybe, or a walk. To live, breathe and relax in the moment.”
Krystal Joy Brown & a beautiful Dachshund rescue
Krystal Joy Brown, portraying Diana Ross in Motown the Musical
Krystal is a beautiful girl. She was holding this also beautiful, blond, long-haired Dachshund, who looked so sweet, I couldn’t imagine it would take too long for the dog to find a home. When I went to take this picture of her, she and the pup struck a pose.
Memory of your first pet? “I had an amazing cat that I treated like a dog, named Angel. She was everything to me, and we did everything together.”
Do you have a current pet? “I just got a new kitten! It’s my first pet as an adult, and I think it’s going to be a great addition to my life.”
What do you think of pet fashion? “I really want to put my cat in a bow tie! I don’t know if he’ll like it. Especially in New York City, you have to be fashionable. And, I love being fashionable. So, I’m not going to say that my cat and I won’t ever wear matching outfits sometimes, as crazy as that might sound!” I just loved this girl.
Courtney Reed and James Monroe Iglehart of Aladdin
James Monroe Iglehart, portraying the Genie, in Aladdin
James is a big, happy hunk of a man, who seems to have a big heart and a ready smile.
Memory of your first pet? “We had a dog named Michelle. She was a little, white Poodle, and I lost my mind, because I so loved that dog.”
Do you have a current pet? “My two cats, Zooey and Hissy.”
What do our pets teach us? “They teach us how to be patient, because we sit down with them and relax; to be calm and patient, and I love that.”
l to r: Marin Mazzie, Zach Braff & Karen Ziemba of Bullets Over Broadway
I want to give a shout out to Judy Katz and Sean Katz, of Katz PR, who were extremely helpful in wrangling the celebrities and helping Bark and Swagger get our interviews. Thanks!
Bernadette’s fundraising Broadway Barks childrens book
To help promote the Broadway Barks, Peters has written two children’s picture books, with mixed-media collage illustrations by Liz Murphy. The first book was released in 2008 and was designed for ages four through eight. It reached #5 on the New York Times Children’s Best Sellers: Picture Books list. It tells the story of Douglas, an abandoned dog, as he follows a pretty lady to a Broadway Barks pet adoption event in Shubert Alley in New York City. Sound familiar? He takes his turn singing, but people laugh at him, hearing only barking. A girl named Isabelle understands that he is performing and adopts him, renaming him “Kramer.”
The book is accompanied by a CD, which has the story and a lullaby being read and sung by Peters herself. The lullaby, “Kramer’s Song,” has music and lyrics written by Bernadette. Additionally, Kramer has a plush toy dog named after him; proceeds from sales of the toy go to Broadway Barks.
The mixed-breed dog named Kramer, who Peters actually adopted from a shelter, and her goddaughter Isabelle were the inspirations for the characters in the book.
The second children’s book, named after her other dog, Stella, is titled Stella is a Star, with illustrations again by Liz Murphy. It also includes a CD with an original song, “Stella’s Song,” written and performed by Peters. Stella is a pit bull who would rather be a pig ballerina, but learns to accept herself. It was released in April 2010. Both sound like really lovely books about love, loss, redemption,with a happy ending! You can purchase either or both of Bernadette’s books for your kids, grandkids or some little one you love, and participate in helping Broadway Barks.
Get more information on Broadway Barks and see how you can help at www.broadwaybarks.com.
What do you think our pets teach us? Tell me in the comments below.
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