BERNADETTE is DOLLY - official- Page 3

[Itonlytakesajourney]

Posted: 9/6/17 at 11:53am

Bernadette could very well be the replacement for a few months before they find their next megastar Dolly.   All the money Bette made has elevated this production through the roof, and I doubt Bernadette will lead this show to its end. She's recognizable, is loved within the theatre community, and can sell tickets (although not to Bette's caliber, obviously). Rudin is smart. He's not going to employ someone who will ruin his hit. Bernadette will probably lead the show for a couple of months (maybe late-mid Summer?) until he can get another diva. 

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 9/6/17 at 12:03pm

Rudin is by no means closing up shop and giving up. If anything, Bernadette provides a touch of legitimacy to the replacements, saying "if Broadway legends are replacing, so can you!" to potential stars. It also takes away a bit of the "following Bette" stigma that you could be unfavorably compared. 

It's easy for people to throw out names-- Beyonce! Gaga! Madonna! Reba! but these are stars who make more than a million a night in a concert. They'd take a huge hit financially just for the privilege of the grueling schedule and honor of being a broadway star. Plus most big stars are booked a year in advance. If anything, I'd say Bernadette has signed for a period of time (6 months? a year) and Rudin already has a "star" (LaBelle, Latifa, Reba, Dolly, etc) on the hook.

I don't think he has Chicago aspiration of "now in our 8th year! come see that girl who was on that tv show that one time! you remember her from that thing!" But there are plenty of B-list stars and Broadway names to sustain a nice, healthy run. The show is insanely expensive even without Middler's star salary, so I imagine he'd fold it pretty quickly.

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 9/6/17 at 12:31pm

BWAY Baby2 said: "I am really surprised that an old pro like Rudin would replace a huge star like Bette Midler- in a show that depends on the charisma and excitement that Dolly requires in current times- with Bernadette Peters. To me, it shows that he is not looking for a Chicago-type run- and I am not sure why. The show could go on and on with female superstar performers- and I do not believe that there are not plenty of big Hollywood females of a certain age- ahem- who would not jump at the chance to play Dolly. Let's face it- the score is not all that demanding, it is very much an ensemble piece- and could be a springboard for a lot of renewed publicity and attention. If Carol Channing could sing this convincingly- and she did- why not Reese Witherspoon- Julia Roberts- even Madonna for three months- Gaga for three months- is Sarah Jessica Parker a big enough name?- if Barbra could do it at 27- why not Taylor Swift? Can Kim K sing? maybe she can- she certainly can create buzz- anyway, all of these possibilities lost with the lackluster, defeatist choice of a safe Broadway legend who simply does not sizzle to the max. Oh, well."

Hmm I'm actually glad he replaced her with a theater veteran. I'm by no means a big fan of Bernadette's singing (I find it too cutesy and cloying) but I feel like Hollywood stunt casting would just cheapen what is a wonderful production. The people Rudin picked to sing around Bette are also theater veterans. DHP is a known name because of Frasier but he had extensive theatrical experience. I doubt the average person knows who Gavin Creel, Taylor Trensch, and Kate Baldwin are. Having experienced theater actors is IMO what made/makes this production special. There's an authenticity to what they do and an ability to connect to the audience.

And Bette wasn't a theater person but she'd had extensive experience performing in front of large crowds. I've seen this production several times now and each time the actors get funnier and sharper with their timing.

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/6/17 at 12:51pm

Yep, it's easy to toss out names like Madonna, Taylor swift, and Kim Kardashian, but who in the world would realistically think those are possibilities? bernadette is a traditional and respectable choice.

Updated On: 9/6/17 at 12:51 PM

[scampsweep]

Posted: 9/6/17 at 12:53pm

For how long is her run with the show? Is it a short run? I can't see any details of when her run ends. Will she still be there in June? 

[Hest882]

Posted: 9/6/17 at 12:53pm

I wouldn't underestimate Bernadette's draw. Because she regularly tours she's probably more well-known outside NYC than many other theater veterans. I don't think most people would go to NY just to see the show, but between the known factor of Hello, Dolly and a name they're likely to recognize, I can see them opting for this instead of other musicals.

[binau]

Posted: 9/6/17 at 5:41pm

Bernadette, like LuPone, is one of the few theatre stars with a sizable following. We are talking about Bernadette Peters here - not people like Sheri Renee Scott, Cynthia Erivo, Alice Ripley, Ebersole, Jan Maxwell, Carolee, Donna Murphy,Marin Mazzie Phillipa Soo etc. who have had a couple of decent roles and then are quickly forgotten about. This is Bernadette Peters. A household name. You only need to see the headlines in major press to see this is a big deal. She is the greatest star of all. 

[adamgreer]

Posted: 9/6/17 at 6:01pm

Peters has box office appeal (and I think she'll sell in this just fine- Dolly is a much more commercial property than Night Music), but she's not a houselhold name, by any means. Idina Menzel is a household name. Chenoweth might be. 

[binau]

Posted: 9/6/17 at 6:19pm

When I use phrases like "greatest star of all" I hope it is clear I'm intentionally being a bit over the top hah (even though I think there is a hint of truth to it). 

Idina Menzel, Chenoweth and Audra are on a different tier right now. What Idina did for the if/then grosses was remarkable. All three of these ladies have had very successful concerts in Aus (which is a good proxy for how well known they are in my opinion because Broadway theatre is not well known to us). Patti and Bernadette did ok recently too (didn't seem as well sold as the other three but still respectable) - but then if we go down to concerts for say Donna Mckechnie or Chita (which always surprises me to be honest) it is clear there is not much name recognition. 

I will continue to pretend that Bernadette will probably crash the telecharge servers on Saturday but of course I recognise there is some risk here. I'd bet it will pay off. 

[David10086]

Posted: 9/6/17 at 7:38pm

scampsweep said: "For how long is her run with the show? Is it a short run? I can't see any details of when her run ends. Will she still be there in June?"

Nothing has been hinted at yet (as far as I can tell) so I guess we shall wait till Saturday when her tix go on sale, and see for how long they have them available till? 

[Cat Guy]

Posted: 9/6/17 at 7:50pm

I will be flying cross-country to NYC in October to see Bette as "Dolly" and to run/walk the "Rock N Roll Half Marathon" in Brooklyn.  Now I have the happy chore of scheduling another visit to see Bernadette as "Dolly".  Once her schedule is announced, I will try to coordinate my trip so that I can take in another NYC running/walking event.

Bernadette is a star of a magnitude not matched by many.  I am super excited to finally see both ladies on stage in performance.

 

Updated On: 9/6/17 at 07:50 PM

[Callum_brown1]

Posted: 9/6/17 at 9:37pm

Elaine Stritch or Joan Rivers are just as likely to take over as Taylor Swift and Kim Kardashian are.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 9/6/17 at 10:59pm

Has anyone ever mentioned. Bebe Neuwirth as Dolly?

[Valentina3]

Posted: 9/6/17 at 11:01pm

Dollypop said: "Has anyone ever mentioned. Bebe Neuwirth as Dolly?"

I did a while ago. I hope it happens :)

[HogansHero]

Posted: 9/7/17 at 12:54am

There are a lot of delusional posts in this thread, about people who are big draws and about big draws who are ever going to return a phone call about this show. 

[Valentina3]

Posted: 9/7/17 at 12:56am

Okay, Hogan. Thanks for clearing that up, we owe you one.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 9/7/17 at 1:26am

HogansHero said: "There area lot of delusional posts in this thread, about people who are big draws and about big draws who are ever going to return a phone call about this show."

Don't you find discussions about casting (including b.o. draw) the most ridiculous threads here?

We might as well discuss dragons and griffins.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 9/7/17 at 2:12am

GavestonPS said: "We might as well discuss dragons and griffins."

well I had a crush on a Griffin once. 

[binau]

Posted: 9/7/17 at 2:16am

How many standing ovations will Bernadette get after her first run through the title song? I'm guessing at least 2.314. 

[haterobics]

Posted: 9/7/17 at 11:08am

And we have Barnaby now, too: http://www.playbill.com/article/charlie-stemp-will-make-broadway-debut-in-hello-dolly-alongside-bernadette-peters-and-victor-garber

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 9/7/17 at 11:26am

This keeps on getting better!

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 9/7/17 at 11:32am

Oh wow. I just Charlie Stemp in HALF A SIXPENCE and he is sensational. A real rising star and he can dance his ass off. I wonder if they will embellish the choreography at all.

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 9/7/17 at 11:32am

Why is another British actor taking over a  quintessential american role?

[Itonlytakesajourney]

Posted: 9/7/17 at 11:33am

I'm sure he'll be great, has anyone seen Charlie in Half a Sixpence? I will miss Taylor, but I'm looking forward to the new cast all the same.

[Mark_E]

Posted: 9/7/17 at 11:36am

Charlie is amazing! So well deserved