Bette Midler Confirms Broadway Return in HELLO DOLLY- Page 24
Bette Midler Confirms Broadway Return in HELLO DOLLY
#575Hello, Dolly
Posted: 9/19/16 at 9:47pm
Well after six Tony awards, Audra also doesn't really have much left to prove does she? It would be a fun gig for a star who doesn't want to show up 8 shows a week and carry that burden. I'm not saying I think it is Audra, but she seems pretty down to earth to me and not above taking this kind of gig if she thought it would be fun to be involved and it worked with her home life (if I just had a baby I would love to have one night off a week- please!). And if she were making some percentage of the box office for her performance that's A really nice paycheck for a few hours work that doesn't require hopping on a plane. But I digress. It's probably not her
I actually always think it's funny when people on these boards assume these big stars "wouldn't" consider replacing. Years ago people always said that about Bernadette Peters and Patti LuPone, and of course Bernadette replaced in NIGHT MUSIC, and Patti has gone on record as saying she would've also been happy to step in for that show. We've also seen people like Liza Minnelli step in for Julie Andrews and Gwen Verdon. It's not unprecedented.
“I knew who I was this morning, but I've changed a few times since then.”
Updated On: 9/19/16 at 09:47 PM
bdboston
Featured Actor Joined: 12/13/06
#576Hello, Dolly
Posted: 9/19/16 at 10:15pm
And not for nothing... Whoopi Goldberg is going to be on "Watch What Happens Live" later this week. Coincidence?
Cupid Boy2
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/5/13
#577Hello, Dolly
Posted: 9/19/16 at 10:25pm
If not Whoopi, is there any chance it could be Queen Latifah? If I'm recalling correctly, she has interest in doing live theatre but just not 8 times a week, and her name has come up in the past as a possibility for headlining a revival of Dolly - this could be the perfect opportunity to dip her toes.
Updated On: 9/19/16 at 10:25 PM#578Hello, Dolly
Posted: 9/19/16 at 10:38pm
I would be surprised if Whoopi herself even thought she was up to the vocals of doing the show live. I know people like Carol Channing have played the role who are not known for being great singers, but given the fact that Midler, who IS known for being a singer is playing the part, I wouldn't think they would want a total non-singer as her alternate.
“I knew who I was this morning, but I've changed a few times since then.”
Melissa5
Swing Joined: 10/31/06
#579Hello, Dolly
Posted: 9/19/16 at 10:45pm
I'd love to see Kate Baldwin step up and play Dolly when Bette is out. She would kill it.
#580Hello, Dolly
Posted: 9/19/16 at 10:53pm
She would kill it because there wouldn't be anyone in the audience.
“I knew who I was this morning, but I've changed a few times since then.”
#581Hello, Dolly
Posted: 9/20/16 at 1:33am
Whoopi can carry a tune. I posted an audio of her in Sister Act earlier in this thread. She can sing in tune, but her range is extremely limited. I don't think she'd have a problem with the score.
#582Hello, Dolly
Posted: 9/20/16 at 1:39am
And here she is singing Free from Forum. She could totally handle Dolly!
https://youtu.be/f6twfrbUstA
Liza's Headband
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/28/13
#583Hello, Dolly
Posted: 9/20/16 at 9:18am
BroadwayConcierge said: "I haven't chimed in yet on the Audra proposal. I think it's hilarious that so many people are dead certain that the record-setting six-time Tony winner would ever possibly decide to pop in to be an alternate/standby for any show, even of this magnitude."
I agree that Audra is an unlikely choice, however it's not as preposterous as you're making it out to be. We have no clue what her future plans are and how much she'll be looking to do less than a year out from another pregnancy. She might want the flexibility and freedom an arrangement like this one provides to have more time with the baby while still bringing home a paycheck. Or maybe not. We'll just have to see.
#584Hello, Dolly
Posted: 9/20/16 at 9:45am
Michael Musto wrote in his column that he's heard the matinee Dolly is Bernadette Peters, does anyone think that's possible? That would definitely be exciting!
#585Hello, Dolly
Posted: 9/20/16 at 9:49am
I find the idea, at least, of Bernadette seemingly less likely than someone like Audra, only because she does so many concert bookings around the country, But sure, she would be wonderful in the role if she wanted to stay planted in the city.
“I knew who I was this morning, but I've changed a few times since then.”
Updated On: 9/20/16 at 09:49 AM
SomethingPeculiar
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/15/14
#586Hello, Dolly
Posted: 9/20/16 at 10:02am
Bernadette seems like a bit of a stretch, though not entirely out of the realm of possibility. She hasn't worked in 5+ years, and she'd probably get paid as much as Bette (per performance), do 1-2 shows a week, and then have the rest of the week to do her concert work.
(Though it would seem more likely that they would hire someone who could also stand-by for Bette, ala Judy Kaye or Nancy Opel or Beth Leavel. Though those names don't mean anything compared to Bette or Bernadette Peters.)
Do we have a confirmation that Bette is just doing 6 per week? Or is it 7 (which is what most weeks are selling at this point, Weds through Sunday).
#587Hello, Dolly
Posted: 9/20/16 at 10:16am
Well right now, they currently are not selling Sunday's during Previews and Tuesday's after opening. We see surmising those are the dates an alternate would step in. I had heard way back that Midler was only going to do six shows a week but from what they are selling now at least it looks like she is planning to do 7 shows.
“I knew who I was this morning, but I've changed a few times since then.”
nasty_khakis
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/15/07
#588Hello, Dolly
Posted: 9/20/16 at 10:20am
I think it would be really shady (but not unheard of) for them to put tickets on sale, sale out almost instantly for months and THEN a month later say "Oh, Bette's not doing Sunday matinees (or whatever performance)." They've said she's doing all shows currently on sale, correct? They're only selling 7 a week so I can assume when they announce a standby/alternate they'll put those Tuesdays and Sundays on sale as well.
Hairspray0901
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/29/08
#589Hello, Dolly
Posted: 9/20/16 at 1:51pm
nasty_khakis said: "I think it would be really shady (but not unheard of) for them to put tickets on sale, sale out almost instantly for months and THEN a month later say "Oh, Bette's not doing Sunday matinees (or whatever performance)."
"
I know Lin Manuel Miranda is not Bette Midler, but, they did that with Hamilton. Released months of tickets and THEN announced he wouldn't be doing Sunday matinees. I was pretty crushed I missed him but, Javi was of course wonderful.
I know it's all speculation about Audra but if she is in fact Bette's alternate, I'd definitely buy a ticket to see her!
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#590Hello, Dolly
Posted: 9/20/16 at 2:12pm
I do not believe "they" have said anything, the chatter is speculation.
As pointed out in a different thread, LMM was not above the title, Bette is....so refunds will be available if you bought tickets for a show she's not doing. (In theory, anyway.)
I'd be happy to see ANY of the three ladies being discussed in this thread.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#591Hello, Dolly
Posted: 9/20/16 at 2:54pm
somechrysanthemumtea said: "Michael Musto wrote in his column that he's heard the matinee Dolly is Bernadette Peters, does anyone think that's possible? "
Since there is no such thing as a "matinee Dolly" (Bette is currently scheduled to do them), I would take that rumor with a huge grain of salt.
Got my ticket yesterday (for next September!) Glad I waited a couple days, as was able to score several rows closer than what was available over the weekend.
#592Hello, Dolly
Posted: 9/20/16 at 4:44pm
If Bernadette is their alternate, I really would have to consider that maybe there truly is a god. Or I'm the luckiest theatre goer in the world.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
#594Hello, Dolly
Posted: 9/20/16 at 4:51pm
I'll cry for her.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
#595Hello, Dolly
Posted: 9/20/16 at 4:59pm
A few days ago I pm'd someone in this thread who appeared to know who the alternate was and asked whether it was Bernadette (pipe dream). There was no reply. Could mean nothing, but could also be confirmation if they don't want to disclose who it is.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
Updated On: 9/20/16 at 04:59 PM
#596Hello, Dolly
Posted: 9/20/16 at 5:53pm
Do people still think they're holding seats back? I want to wait and see if closer seats are released, but nervous about it selling out.
#597Hello, Dolly
Posted: 9/20/16 at 7:33pm
I found lots of close seats in my ticket search the day after they went on sale. Unless you want to pay super premium prices (instead of just paying through the nose) I'd get tickets asap, especially if you want to see her towards the beginning of the run.
"Broadway...I'll lick you yet!"
#598Hello, Dolly
Posted: 9/20/16 at 7:45pm
Thank you! How's the leg space in front row mezz and also just in side orchestra? Seats look great, but worried about my long legs.
Updated On: 9/20/16 at 07:45 PM
Hairspray0901
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/29/08
#599Hello, Dolly
Posted: 9/20/16 at 8:36pm
I still haven't purchased tickets and looked yesterday and today, the closest I've seen have been row M in the orchestra for several dates. Hoping everything closer isn't premium
Videos