Search - Bea Arthur :: Bea Arthur on Broadway - Just Between Friends

A Truly Remarkable Accomplishment

Adam J. Wishman | IA | 06/16/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a huge fan of Bea Arthur's, I was very excited when I heard she would return to Broadway to do a one-woman show. Not since winning the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for "Mame" has Bea Arthur been on stage. Well, what a way to follow up! This cd (which was recorded during a live performance) Bea gives fans an intimate look into her show business life. The stories are very funny and touching, and the songs (which Bea picked out herself) are fun, beautiful, and magical. A favorite part of this cd for me, is when Bea talks about her days on TV. She was the star of two very successful and groundbreaking sitcoms, "Maude" and "The Golden Girls" I am a huge fan of "The Golden Girls" and Bea's character Dorothy was always my favorite. This cd is a must for any Bea Arthur fan, but the appeal of this amazing show goes beyond her hardcore fans. Any fan of classic Broadway and cabaret songs will love this cd. This is one of the favorite cds I own, and should be treasured by more people. And finally, as a sidenote, Bea's one-woman show was nominated for a Tony Award in 2001 in the category of Best Special Theatrical Event."

"Bea" Cd preserves Ms. Arthur's delicious stage show

Robert J. Ramos | Long Pond, PA | 03/11/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"BEA ARTHUR ON BROADWAY: JUST BETWEEN FRIENDS, recorded live during the last stand of a lengthy pre-Broadway tour (on the road, the show was called ANS THEN THERE'S BEA), captures the incomparable actress-comedienne in prime latter-day form. Fans like myself who have been long aware of the deep-voiced Ms. Arthur's unique and very potent singing style have been hoping for a show like this one for many years. While her trademark wit (presented here in all its unexpurgated glory, including a number of words Maude couldn't say on TV, even today) is reason enough to enjoy this CD, there are a number of very moving highlights as well. It's hard not to be moved hearing the 78-year-old legend offer a wistful "Fun to be Fooled", or a truly heart-rending version of "Where Do You Start?", in which an aging woman deals with divorce. Ms. Arthur ambitiously tackles "Pirate Jenny" from "The Threepenny Opera", and "Some People", both songs traditionally performed by singers of much greater range--but fear not, the results here border on electrifying. The gifted composer-pianist Billy Goldenberg accompanies Ms. Arthur. The bottom line: a legend, to be sure--doing it her way, and damn well."

Bea is Back!

anthony ricci | Middletown, NJ USA | 02/15/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you are big a fan of "Maude"'s Bea Arthur, you will LOVE this CD. In her triumphant return to the Broadway Stage in "Just Between Friends: An Evening With Bea Arthur", Bea shares with us intimate stories from her years of experience, all the way from the 1950s, where she got her big start as Lucy Brown in "Three Penny Opera" to her hysterical 80's TV sitcom playing Dorothy in "The Golden Girls". In this CD,(recorded during a live show), we can hear some of Bea's personal favorite songs that she chose herself to share with us. They include "Some People", "Pirate Jenny", "Fun to be Fooled", and "What Can You Get a Nudist For Her Birthday?". This is the first time since winning her Tony Award for her portrayl of Vera Charles in "Mame" that Bea has performed in a Broadway show, and this delightful and touching collection of songs is something all of her fans should own and treasure."