Bette Midler Confirms Broadway Return in HELLO DOLLY- Page 28

[Kad]

Posted: 10/6/16 at 1:34pm

Herman really just seems to be shooting himself in the foot.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 10/6/16 at 1:34pm

 

I get more excited about this every day.

 

[Musical Master]

Posted: 10/6/16 at 1:40pm

I hope that we hear the news of the alternate Dolly Levi soon. I'm excited about that too. Oh did you guys see this video yet? It's kinda funny.

 

Updated On: 10/6/16 at 01:40 PM

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 10/6/16 at 2:52pm

Pedi is absolutely brilliant in that video. I watch it now and again when I need a pick-me-up. Too funny.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 10/6/16 at 3:36pm

>the Jerry Zak's La Cage which apparently was very close to the original except the choreography<

Just want to mention that the Jerry Zaks La Cage was really not similar at all to the original production. The original was better in just about every department. 

[SweetLips]

Posted: 10/6/16 at 4:00pm

I saw a 'cut down' version of La Cage in London-might have been 6 Cagelles and they included dancing on night club table settings front stalls--I thought it worked very well in such an intimate and up close setting. I also think the band was in the boxes.

What's there to change with Dolly?

The Matchmaker is perfect and the period adaption for the musical works extremely well and the characters-somewhat silly-are all well meaning in their intentions-innocent[childlike] by todays' standards perhaps but all that colour and movement and hopefully brilliant casting and performances will lift this production into one to remember[and compare with] perhaps forever.

[Musical Master]

Posted: 10/7/16 at 12:42am

Well, here's to hoping and crossing fingers that both Jerry Zaks and Warren Carlyle will get this show right and be a beautiful, wonderful revival of one of the best musicals of all time. Speaking of Bette Midler, she's on TCM tonight celebrating actresses that shaped and changed their destinies.   

[Valentina3]

Posted: 10/7/16 at 9:16am

That Pedi video was masterclass in impersonation. God I'd love for JinX Monsoon to make a similar video. 

[Broadway Geek2]

Posted: 10/7/16 at 1:14pm

For those of you who frequent the Shubert NYC:

I have a chance at tix to "Hello Dolly!" and had a seating question.  I can select Orch Row L center or Side Orch on the aisle (e.g. Seats 2&4) a couple of rows closer.  Any thoughts?

These will be tix for my GF for Christmas and I want to get it right (and they cost a lot also, not Hamiltonian bad but pretty dear nevertheless).

Thanx, in advance, to those of you who get to Broadway often from an out-of-towner.

[Kad]

Posted: 10/7/16 at 1:17pm

I, personally, would opt for the closer side orch aisle seats.

[Steve C.]

Posted: 10/7/16 at 1:33pm

Hi mr MM Are you sure Bette is on TCM tonight? It looks like a lot of old Horror movies that I would have say don't showcase any women's roles?

Updated On: 10/7/16 at 01:33 PM

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 10/7/16 at 1:38pm

AC126748 said: "Kad said: "I seem to recall it being discussed at some point in the years I've been on this board, but does Herman have a particular aversion to Encores?"

There has been on and off discussion for years that Herman wouldn't allow Encores the rights to certain shows (specifically, DEAR WORLD and MACK AND MABEL) because he felt it would hurt their chances of receiving future full-scale productions."

So he's clearly never been on BWW in the days following a really well-done and well-received Encores! production, when everyone's asking when the show will transfer to Broadway or if a cast recording is going to be made.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 10/7/16 at 1:45pm

I thought part of his issue with Encores! has to do with the fact he doesn't want revivals of his shows done in the style of Encores! which makes me wonder if he has ever been to one of their shows in recent years. It's a real shame since something like MACK & MABEL could really only work in that context. 

[Kad]

Posted: 10/7/16 at 1:50pm

Encores would probably be the only way any of his shows that aren't Hello, Dolly, La Cage, or Mame will ever receive major stagings in NYC.

[Musical Master]

Posted: 10/7/16 at 2:01pm

Steve C. said: "Hi mr MM Are you sure Bette is on TCM tonight? It looks like a lot of old Horror movies that I would't say have women's roles?"

That was last night actually, I should have said "right now". Sorry for the confusion Steve C.

To those who have seen the Jerry Zaks La Cage Aux Folles from 2004, I want to know what exactly went wrong. From what I read, a lot of people had strongly mixed feelings about it.

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 10/7/16 at 2:38pm

I actually was under the impression that this revival of HELLO DOLLY was going to more or less recreate the Gower Champion staging. 

Mr. Herman HAS had major revivals of his lesser musicals in London: DEAR WORLD, GRAND TOUR and most notably MACK AND MABEL (which has been produced in the UK many times) - so this may have given him hope for some kind of major production to eventually play Broadway.

I do believe he has allowed concert versions of his shows in cities outside NYC. Jane Krakowski did MACK AND MABEL - I believe at Reprise in Los Angeles which was very similar to Encores.

[little_sally]

Posted: 10/7/16 at 2:46pm

I thought I read somewhere that he didn't want Encores! productions of his shows because he wanted to hold out for proper revivals?

[brian1973]

Posted: 10/7/16 at 4:08pm

 

It's genius!

BroadwayConcierge said: "Pedi is absolutely brilliant in that video. I watch it now and again when I need a pick-me-up. Too funny.

 

"

 

[Musical Master]

Posted: 10/9/16 at 8:50am

Now this is what I call a great fan-video. Bailey and Rogers blend well together.

 

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 10/9/16 at 10:49am

A friend of mine peripherally involved in the production told me this morning that it's her understanding that-- as of right now anyway--the plan is for Midler (and the show) to simply do the abbreviated performance schedule without the much rumored star alternate taking one show a week. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 10/9/16 at 10:58am

Makes sense to keep the show at 7 performances a week considering its advance. I would assume this "star" alternate/standby will cover the 3 weeks Midler is scheduled to be out?

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 10/9/16 at 1:09pm

That's what I imagine too- as mentioned earlier, it would likely be much more appealing for a bigger name to come in as a vacation replacement because they wouldn't be sharing the marquis with Midler and could enjoy their own ad campaign etc.

[Musical Master]

Posted: 10/10/16 at 9:33am

QueenAlice said: "A friend of mine peripherally involved in the production told me this morning that it's her understanding that-- as of right now anyway--the plan is for Midler (and the show) to simply do the abbreviated performance schedule without the much rumored star alternate taking one show a week. "

 
So basically, the production is going to try to use Bette Midler for the usual 8 shows a week without using the rumored alternate? I'd say that's an interesting move on their part.

Updated On: 10/10/16 at 09:33 AM

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/10/16 at 10:19am

It sounds like the show will run 7 performances a week with Bette. Then a name vacation cover will come in for those 3 weeks. 

[AC126748]

Posted: 10/10/16 at 10:23am

This is what I've been hoping would happen from the beginning. It's the best and smartest plan, and would cut down on the confusion. Besides, the show will earn way more money doing 7 shows a week than most do in 8.