Lounging atop a grand piano in a sparkling-sequined dress while delivering a sultry rendition of "Fever," Bernadette Peters reminded Knox Concert Series patrons why she remains Broadway royalty after a career spanning decades.

"We knew Bernadette Peters would bring excitement to the 2009-10 Knox Season," said Knox Concert Series Chair Julia Segars. "Everyone was impressed by the energy and vivacity she brought to the Anniston Performing Arts Center."

During her March 6 performance, the two-time Tony Award winner, accompanied by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, bantered and interacted with audience members — even sharing that she enjoyed a barbecue dinner at Sonny's and a day of antiquing leading up to the concert.

Arriving the day prior, Peters and her band enjoyed the hospitality for which Knox volunteers are well known. Dorothy Veach, Scott Skinner, Neal and Sarah Ballard, Gina Byars, Teresa Noell, Vivian Soyster, Janette Fulmer and Karen Silvers were among a number of volunteers responsible for forming the ensemble's impression of Calhoun County — going the extra mile with flowers at the hotel, sparkling dressing rooms and a catered dinner at the concert hall.

The evening of the performance also marked the kick-off of membership sales for the upcoming 2010-11 Knox Concert Series Season, which will feature performances by Aaron Neville and Art Garfunkel, among others. Board members Farley Fink and Lesa Cummings orchestrated the annual "Blue Light Special" pre-season sale.

Onstage, George Salmon encouraged audience members to place their subscription orders with volunteers bedecked with flashing blue stars. Salmon noted that the pre-season campaign ends on May 1, at the 2009-10 Knox Concert Series season finale — Springtime is for Lovers: the Alabama Symphony Orchestra Romances the Classics.

The Peters performance was underwritten by longtime Knox board member Jim Nolen, as well as Betty and Earlon McWhorter, the accounting firm of Warren, Averett, Kimbrough and Marino and Wells Fargo Advisors.

Performance sponsors also hosted a reception at Classic on Noble immediately following the event, at which series patrons and Classic owners Cathy and David Mashburn rolled out the red carpet for fellow patrons and volunteers. An array of food, from pasta and salmon to a chocolate fountain, made guests feel like they were at an après theater party in New York City — only better.

For more information on the Knox Concert Series, visit knoxconcert.org.

To share your news with Small Talk, contact Annette Maddox at starsmalltalk@yahoo.com.