Cocktails at Table 7- Inside New York’s Joe Allen

Even More Cocktails with Betty Buckley: THAT show.

Episode Summary

In part two of our interview with Betty Buckley, we focused on two of her most enduring cult classics. First, we discussed THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, it’s successful journey from the Public Theater to Broadway, and the camaraderie developed within its peerless ensemble cast, including the irreplaceable Bridget Buckley. Then we were treated to her memories of starring in the legendary Broadway flop CARRIE the musical, a show that suffered from unprecedented behind the scenes turmoil from day one. It was a fascinating perspective on a wildly ambitious show that, despite its rocky reception, is regarded by Betty as one of her proudest moments in the theater.

Episode Notes

In an award-winning career that has encompassed TV, film, stage and concert work around the globe, Betty Buckley is probably best known as the quintessential musical theatre actress.  Whether she’s breaking your heart with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Memory” in her Tony-winning turn as Grizabella the Glamour Cat in CATS, bringing down the house with “The Writing on the Wall” in a gender-bending performance in THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, or simultaneously frightening and moving an entire audience as religious fanatic Margaret White in the cult-classic musical CARRIE, a Betty Buckley performance is one that remains indelibly etched into one’s mind and soul. Buckley’s film roles include Ms. Collins, the gym teacher in Brian dePalma’s 1976 classic CARRIE, country singer Dixie Scott in Bruce Beresford’s TENDER MERCIES (which features her soul-piercing rendition of the Academy Award-nominated and Golden Globe winning song “Over You”), and has regularly been featured in the films of M. Night Shyamalan.  She has been seen as a guest star on dozens of popular TV series, was a regular for three years on HBO’s OZ, and also played the lead role of Abby Bradford for four seasons on the seminal 1970’s family drama EIGHT IS ENOUGH.