Anyone know the REAL reason Hello Dolly refused to perform at the TONYS? — Page 5

poisonivy2 said: "JSquared2 said: "poisonivy2 said: "What actually leaves a bad taste in my mouth about the Hello Dolly! run was the rudeness of the Shubert Theater workers during the Bette run. In no other theater have I experienced workers who barked orders to the audience the way this theater's workers did. I understand they were under instructions to keep a tight lid on the entire production (including the red curtain) but there are other shows which are/were hot tickets when I went to them (DEH twice, Three Tall Women) where rules were enforced but without anywhere near the amount of rudeness at the Shubert."

Care to be a bit more specific? What kind of "orders" were being barked at you?"

"OPEN YOUR BAG!"

"YOU HAVE WATER IN YOUR BAG. THROW IT OUT!!!"

"Can I drink it and then throw it out?"

"NO THERE'S NO TIME THROW IT OUT!!!"

Once I got in the theater, constant yelling for people to be seated, actual hovering over customers as the customers turned their cell phones off, more general yelling at people who were a bit slow getting to their seats. Once I really had to go to the bathroom in the middle of act one and I was in an aisle seat. I quietly asked an usher if I could run to the bathroom and come right back. "NO YOU LEAVE AND YOU'RE LOCKED OUT FOR THE REST OF THE ACT."

This was at the beginning of the run in March. I did notice that the ushers were more relaxed by the summer but that kind of customer service is IMO unacceptable and I haven't experienced it in any other theater."



So in other words they wanted you the follow the same rules that apply to everyone else? The nerve!!! Didn't you explain to them that you are SPECIAL!

Duplicate post

Updated On: 5/25/18 at 02:49 PM

kdogg36 said: "JSquared2 said: "So in other words they wanted you the follow the same rules that apply to everyone else? The nerve!!! Didn't you explain to them that you are SPECIAL!"

Sometimes, in dealing with customers, you have to enforce rules, and tell them they can't do something (or must do something else). However, since these are customers, this must be done with extraordinary politeness. If particular theater workers were routinelyaggressive or curt in enforcing rules, they should be replaced with individuals who can deal reasonably with customers.

I didn't experience this myself when I sawHello Dolly!,but I don't have much trouble believing the story."

I don't disagree but the first step before you dismiss someone is to always counsel them and see if they can modify their behavior to be more appropriate and customer friendly. From the poster's own comment, it sounds like this change to more appropriate behavior was noted on his/her next visit over the summer. So not sure I see the point of complaining about behavior that had already changed close to a year ago.

Updated On: 5/25/18 at 03:03 PM

I have been going to the theatre almost as long as Scott Rudin. And in that time I have been exposed to perhaps a dozen rude house staff. I have also been exposed to certainly in excess of a thousand rude audience members: those who show up at 2 minutes to curtain and need to use the restroom because they were still drinking at a bar or restaurant when they should have been relieving themselves; those who make noise with water bottles, candy wrappers or whatever other evil they can bring to their seats; those who are standing in the other aisle chit-chatting with someone or annoying a "star" who they feel obliged to tell how much they love their work, and then make it impossible for the show to start because they are wandering around the orchestra; etc.; etc.; etc. Like Rudin (I presume) I don't like any of that. Unlike me, however, he has the ability to do something about it. And frankly, if you don't like that he does things to prevent 1% of the audience from imposing their sense of entitlement on the other 99%, delaying the start of shows, disrupting the show, and the like, then don't go to his shows. Neither he nor I will care. If it is important enough to see Bette Midler, it's important enough to get to the theatre earlier enough, take care of business, nourish and hydrate yourself,before the show starts.

HogansHero said: "I have been going to the theatre almost as long as Scott Rudin. And in that time I have been exposed to perhaps a dozen rude house staff. I have also been exposed to certainly in excess of a thousand rude audience members: those who show up at 2 minutes to curtain and need to use the restroom because they were still drinking at a bar or restaurant when they should have been relieving themselves; those who make noise with water bottles, candy wrappers or whatever other evil they can bring to their seats; those who are standing in the other aisle chit-chatting with someone or annoying a "star" who they feel obliged to tell how much they love their work, and then make it impossible for the show to start because they are wandering around the orchestra; etc.; etc.; etc. Like Rudin (I presume) I don't like any of that. Unlike me, however, he has the ability to do something about it. And frankly, if you don't like that he does things to prevent 1% of the audience from imposing their sense of entitlement on the other 99%, delaying the start of shows, disrupting the show, and the like, then don't go to his shows. Neither he nor I will care. If it is important enough to see Bette Midler, it's important enough to get to the theatre earlier enough,take care of business, nourish and hydrate yourself,before the show starts."

Hi Scott. Second of all what you write is such crap. I've been to several Rudin shows including A Doll"s House Pt. 2, Carousel and Three Tall Women and the rude experience was only at the Bette show I attended. He clearly feels that he could afford to treat the Bette audience rudely bc the show was making so much money.

HogansHero said: "I have been going to the theatre almost as long as Scott Rudin. And in that time I have been exposed to perhaps a dozen rude house staff. I have also been exposed to certainly in excess of a thousand rude audience members: those who show up at 2 minutes to curtain and need to use the restroom because they were still drinking at a bar or restaurant when they should have been relieving themselves; those who make noise with water bottles, candy wrappers or whatever other evil they can bring to their seats; those who are standing in the other aisle chit-chatting with someone or annoying a "star" who they feel obliged to tell how much they love their work, and then make it impossible for the show to start because they are wandering around the orchestra; etc.; etc.; etc. Like Rudin (I presume) I don't like any of that. Unlike me, however, he has the ability to do something about it. And frankly, if you don't like that he does things to prevent 1% of the audience from imposing their sense of entitlement on the other 99%, delaying the start of shows, disrupting the show, and the like, then don't go to his shows. Neither he nor I will care. If it is important enough to see Bette Midler, it's important enough to get to the theatre earlier enough,take care of business, nourish and hydrate yourself,before the show starts."

Well said. Very on point .

haterobics said: "Gizmo6 said: "I saw Bette, who I adore but frankly she wasn’t cut out for the role, And agree with posters who said that’s why no videos were released, I wish I had seen Murphy."

Donna was good, but Bette was perfection. Going back two more times in August (one, if she announces a West End run before wrapping up here)."

If she does announce West End I’ll probbaaaly bring some family. I wonder who’d Donna for her when she’s over here.

And I love Bette but I’d love to hear PATTI or a voice that huge to belt it out.

JSquared2 said: "Gizmo6 said: "Sorry I’m European we pay €10/£10 max for Souvenir programme.

I’m delighted your excited to spend your money on the brochure.

It’s just my opinion.

I handed over $50 and got back $5. I expected somewhere around max $25 I didn’t question it usually merchandise is in line across the board, in Europe /West End anyway.

I have beautiful programs where the design is way more advanced than a cut~out, I know you queens will defend it to the hilt. It’s pretty but it ain’t $45 pretty.

And once again, sweetie. No one put a gun to your head and forced you to buy it. I've never been "delighted" to spend any money on a "brochure" as you call it --- and that's why I've never bought one for any show --- they're a major ripoff.

"

I buy one for every show and different casts I see, I have them from countless countries in a multitude of languages. After traveling from Europe and paying for hotels etc $45 is nothing to me. My issue is I don’t believe it was value, I believe they saw an oppportunity to exploit the audience.

Gizmo6 said: "JSquared2 said: "Gizmo6 said: "Sorry I’m European we pay €10/£10 max for Souvenir programme.

I’m delighted your excited to spend your money on the brochure.

It’s just my opinion.

I handed over $50 and got back $5. I expected somewhere around max $25 I didn’t question it usually merchandise is in line across the board, in Europe /West End anyway.

I have beautiful programs where the design is way more advanced than a cut~out, I know you queens will defend it to the hilt. It’s pretty but it ain’t $45 pretty.

And once again, sweetie. No one put a gun to your head and forced you to buy it. I've never been "delighted" to spend any money on a "brochure" as you call it --- and that's why I've never bought one for any show --- they're a major ripoff.

"

I buy one for every show and different casts I see, I have them from countless countries in a multitude of languages. After traveling from Europe and paying for hotels etc $45 is nothing to me. My issue is I don’t believe it was value, I believe they saw an oppportunity to exploit the audience.

"

I forgot I had paid that much for my program. I probably had a similar reaction. But I hVe really gotten a lot of joy from it and would like to purchase another one when I see Bette again.

Oak2 said: "I don't know, I think they have a point. I had all kinds of problems the whole way through when I went to see Hello Dolly. It started from buying the tickets. I needed day of tickets (It's a long story), so I had to get my tickets from the "TIKKITS" booth over in some back alley. I did get a discount for the ticket at least -only one kidney. Then they wouldn't even let me into the Shubbert theater without giving up all my valuables for inspection to ensure they didn't have any cameras. They said the inspection and verification would take a while, but I still haven't gotten them back. There was only one Usher, and he was ok I guess, but I'm not a fan of his music. At the performance itself I don't think it was even Bette Midler - it was someone tap-dancing with a big photograph of Bette Midler's face stapled to their head. Other than that the show was fun at least - Usher kind of ruined the big number though. And then I wasn't allowed to leave unless I paid $450 for the program, which was a half-eaten box of months-old Valentines chocolates. NEVER GOING BACK AGAIN."

To the actor on his deathbed:

"Aren't you scared of dying?"

"Dying is easy. Comedy is hard."

If Hello Dolly is still making good money then why is Scott Rudin closing it? Someone on here said he doesn't need to close it, they're just choosing to. Well what is the reason?

Because Bette told him to close it, just like she told him she refused to perform on the Tonys.