Betty Buckley Brings Brilliance to MIAC Stage

Contributed

Acclaimed actress, singer, and artist-in-residence Betty Buckley returns to the Walker Recital Hall on Mercyhurst University's campus in March alongside pianist, conductor, writer, and SiriusXM host Seth Rudetsky.

BEGINNING WEDNESDAY, MAR. 26

Acclaimed actress and singer Betty Buckley returns to Mercyhurst this month with a packed schedule. The artist-in-residence is set to hold workshops with Mercyhurst students from Wednesday, March 26 through Friday, March 28, culminating in a public concert alongside Seth Rudetsky on Saturday, March 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the Walker Recital Hall.

With honorary doctorates from Boston Conservatory of Music and Marymount Manhattan College, Buckley has taught at numerous colleges and universities across the nation, including Boston University, the University of North Texas, and Carnegie Mellon. Her accomplishments span multiple mediums, with credits and awards both on and off Broadway, as well as in the film industry.

As one of the trailblazers of modern musical theatre, Buckley has seen iconic roles in shows like Pippin, Carrie, Sunset Boulevard, and Cats, the last of which earned her a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. In 2012, Buckley was inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame and in 2018 and 2019, she headlined the first National Tour of the new Broadway production of Hello, Dolly!

On the silver screen, Buckley has featured in films such as Lawrence Kasden's Wyatt Earp, Woody Allen's Another Woman, Roman Polanski's Frantic, and M. Night Shyamalan's Split and The Happening. Most recently, Buckley co-starred in 2024's Imaginary from Lionsgate and will feature in two upcoming films: Amanda Kramer's By Design, and A24 Studios' Eternity, starring Miles Teller and Elizabeth Olsen. Buckley has made her way into America's living rooms as well, with roles on shows like Law & Order: SVU, Chicago Med, and Pretty Little Liars.

In 2022, Buckley released the compilation recording Betty Buckley Sings Stephen Sondheim, a tribute to the late composer. She has recorded 18 albums, received two Grammy nominations, and tours extensively with her ensemble of musicians. Buckley has also been awarded three Lifetime Achievement Awards for her contributions to theatre from the T. Schreiber School in New York City, The Shubert Theater in New Haven, and the New England Theatre Conference.

Buckley will be joined on March 29 by pianist, conductor, writer, and SiriusXM host Seth Rudetsky. Rudetsky's career includes many years on Broadway as a pianist and conductor, as well as two years as a writer on The Rosie O'Donnell Show, receiving three Emmy nominations alongside his co-writers for the program. Currently, he is the afternoon DJ on the SiriusXM Broadway channel as well as the host of Seth Speaks.

Note: This performance is currently sold out. Additional tickets may be released the evening of the performance, Saturday, March 29. Seats will be sold to patrons waiting in the cancellation line on a first-come, first served basis. The box office will open at 6 p.m., but patrons may start lining up earlier in the day. For info: miac.mercyhurst.edu.

7:30 p.m. // Walker Recital Hall at Mercyhurst University, 501 E. 38th St.  // Sold out (see note above) // miac.mercyhurst.edu