'She can sing and act, but not together': Mixed reviews as Catherine Zeta-Jones makes glamorous Broadway debut

By Lizzie Smith

In recent months, Catherine Zeta-Jones has been criticised for dressing years beyond her age.

But last night she was every inch the glamorous star as she attended the opening night of her new Broadway show in New York.

Dressed in a floor-length navy gown, with plunging neckline, the actress oozed sophistication.

Back to her best: Catherine Zeta-Jones attends the after party for the opening night of her Broadway show A Little Night Music in New York


Stunning: Catherine wore a simple fur and carried a black handbag as she left


Catherine, 40, kept the accessories simple but stunning with diamond and pearl drop earrings, and an understated slick of lipstick.

But while her glamorous looks won her rave reviews in A Little Light Music, and her singing voice was praised, Catherine's acting was criticised by some.

The Guardian's Emma Brockes said: 'While [she] can act and sing, she can't do both at once in this production - at least not in one take.'

While the AP's Michael Kuchwara wrote: 'Zeta-Jones has a throaty, sensuous voice which she uses to good, flirty effect....


Heading home: Michael Douglas turned out to support his actress wife


'She is much better in the musical's quieter scenes and shines in Act 2 during her rendition of the show's best-known song, "Send in the Clowns," a touching moment of grown-up introspection.'

Ben Brantley of The New York Times declared: 'In addition to being drop-dead gorgeous... Ms Zeta-Jones brings a decent voice, a supple dancer's body and a vulpine self-possession to her first appearance on Broadway.'

Catherine and husband Michael Douglas have temporarily relocated to the Big Apple while she stars in the play.

The musical, which opened last night, is fast becoming one of the hottest tickets on Broadway, with tickets selling for $300 on eBay.


Hot ticket: Catherine and her co-star Alexander Hanson


She plays Swedish actress Desirée Armfeldt alongside Angela Lansbury as her mother Madame Armfeldt in the Trevor Nunn revival of the 1973 play.

Catherine began her career on the stage, before finding fame in the TV series The Darling Buds Of May.

She told the Evening Standard after last night's show: 'I can't believe it's taken me 20 years to actually do this. It's quite shocking because I love the camaraderie and I just love the theatre life. It was just like going back home to a family.'

Asked when she would be performing in front of British theatregoers again, she said: 'Now it's back in my blood and I'm back on the boards, it may be sooner than they want it to be.'

Period drama: Alexander Hanson, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Angela Lansbury


Taking a bow: Catherine appears at the curtain call

Catherine said there were similarities between her own life and that of Desiree, a veteran actress reunited with an ex-lover.

She said: 'I have lived a bit of the life of a gypsy the way that Desiree has. I've found the love of life in my husband - I'm not searching for that at this particular point in my life.'

The production means Catherine and her family will spend the next few months living in the New York instead of their usual Bermuda home.

As well as marking her Broadway debut, Catherine will also be promoting her new film The Rebound, which is scheduled for release in April.
The romantic comedy stars the actress as a single mother who falls for her children's babysitter soon after her divorce.


Frumpy: Catherine's recent style has been less than glamorous

source: dailymail