 Bernadette Peters ( born Bernadette Lazzara ; February 28 , 1948 ) is an American actress , singer and children 's book author . Over the course of a career that has spanned five decades , she has starred in musical theatre , films and television , as well as performing in solo concerts and recordings . She is one of the most critically acclaimed Broadway performers , having received nominations for seven Tony Awards , winning two ( plus an honorary award ) , and nine Drama Desk Awards , winning three . Four of the Broadway cast albums on which she has starred have won Grammy Awards . 
