Bette Midler as Dolly- Page 5
Bette Midler as Dolly
#100Bette Midler as Dolly
Posted: 5/29/13 at 12:03pmMy issue with those two songs is that they front load the first act a great deal- two additional solos, and "Love, Look in My Window" occurs just before "Before the Parade Passes By"- and expresses the exact same sentiments.
#101Bette Midler as Dolly
Posted: 5/29/13 at 12:30pmI agree, Kad, but sometimes it's just thrilling to be able to sit back and watch a great star knock one out of the park.
#102Bette Midler as Dolly
Posted: 5/29/13 at 12:36pm
I agree, Kad, but sometimes it's just thrilling to be able to sit back and watch a great star knock one out of the park.
It is, but not at the expense of the show. Remember when PROMISES, PROMISES added two songs for Kristin Chenoweth based on this type of logic? HELLO, DOLLY is so perfect as written that I don't think it needs to have more songs, and I don't think we can really argue Dolly is an underwritten role, it's one of the juiciest roles for a theatre actress, musical or not.
I doubt much will come of this, but it's an exciting prospect. I don't mind the idea of Reba's accent any more that I mind a black, Latina or Asian Dolly, I have enough creativity to imagine reasons why Reba ended up there, that's part of the fun of seeing fictional characters, they are not real people so you can make up a story for them. I bet Reba is enough of a good actress to make up her own story about why her Dolly ended up in turn-of-the-century Yonkers.
#103Bette Midler as Dolly
Posted: 5/29/13 at 12:53pm
Hello, Dolly! is, as ray said, tightly constructed and well-paced. Two 3-4 minute ballads can severely alter the pacing of a show, particularly one on the more farcical side like this one.
They're lovely songs that should be heard more often. But I think they should be heard in other venues.
#104Bette Midler as Dolly
Posted: 5/29/13 at 12:57pm
2-3 minutes of "Love, Look In My Window" is not going to kill the show. I could almost guarantee that song would have returned if LuPone's revival happened. Merman stopped the show with that number, and given it's belty nature, it's right up LuPone's and Midler's alley.
Even if just that song returned, I'd be happy.
#105Bette Midler as Dolly
Posted: 5/29/13 at 1:03pmI agree with ray and Kad- "Love, Look In My Window" is completely superfluous, especially considering it comes just before "Before The Parade Passes By." Considering Herman has been remiss to include it in other productions, I doubt it would ever be incorporated into a revival of the show.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Mattbrain
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/23/05
#106Bette Midler as Dolly
Posted: 5/29/13 at 1:47pm
"she stilled ruined Sweeney Todd"
"and I agree with you that Sweeney was not her finest hour (to put it mildly)."
No comment.
zamedy
Broadway Star Joined: 6/27/07
#107Bette Midler as Dolly
Posted: 5/29/13 at 10:54pm
"Love, Look in my Window" by Merman.
Got chills at the end.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BUNKKjdLqA
#108Bette Midler as Dolly
Posted: 5/30/13 at 12:12amLupone as Dolly? Don't see it at all. The show has less to do with Dolly's singing ability or piercing personality, but more to do with her warmth and humor. Lupone is great, but this sound like major miscasting.
#109Bette Midler as Dolly
Posted: 5/30/13 at 1:19am
Zamedy, it gives me chills, too. I especially love the live version from the actual show. It's more powerful than that clip. The audience sounded so grateful to finally hear her belt, it's like this huge release that can be felt from a low quality recording.
I would really love to hear LuPone tear into that song. She would so nail it.
zamedy
Broadway Star Joined: 6/27/07
#110Bette Midler as Dolly
Posted: 5/30/13 at 1:25amDo you have a link to the live recording from the show? I couldn't find it.
#111Bette Midler as Dolly
Posted: 5/30/13 at 1:36amNot at the moment. I can try to upload it tomorrow. It's pretty stunning, even the audience reaction gives me chills.
#112Bette Midler as Dolly
Posted: 5/30/13 at 10:18am
La Bette just tweeted:
Bette Midler ?@BetteMidler 5m
WELL!! Now I hear I have been offered "Hello, Dolly"! First I've heard of it. Still I would look great coming down that staircase...
I have to admit, she WOULD look great coming down that staircase!
mdundaswood
Chorus Member Joined: 10/10/11
#113Bette Midler as Dolly
Posted: 5/30/13 at 10:56am
Does anyone remember talk--maybe 10 years ago--of Midler for a TV version of "Dolly"? Could have sworn I read that somewhere.
I have long been in the Bernadette-as-Dolly camp. Her look is perfect for the turn-of-the-century setting, costumes.
As for Reba, I think she should star in a revival of "Unsinkable Molly Brown."
And while I'm playing casting director... I've been saying for 15 years that Chenoweth should star opposite Brian Stokes Mitchell in "On the 20th Century."
#114Bette Midler as Dolly
Posted: 5/30/13 at 11:10amIf Midler's tweet is to be taken seriously and she really does have interest in potentially doing the show, somebody better get on the phone and make the offer today.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#116Bette Midler as Dolly
Posted: 5/30/13 at 12:56pmSounds like Midler was putting it out into the universe, make it happen people.
Wilmingtom
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/18/11
#117Bette Midler as Dolly
Posted: 5/30/13 at 1:41pmBette is teasing us. She has no interest in doing a big musical 8 times a week for an extended run. Her last Vegas show was, I felt, a disappointment; she was right next door to phoning it in and said (not during the performance) that she was too old to work that hard anymore, and she meant it. The terrific Hollywood Bowl/Actors Fund/Philharmonic idea is as close as we'll get to seeing her Dolly. Let's get Melissa McCarthy together with a great coach and see what she could do with the score.
beckum
Swing Joined: 5/6/11
Archnem7
Swing Joined: 8/5/11
#119Bette Midler as Dolly
Posted: 5/31/13 at 3:00amJewish or not- Bette Midler only knows how to play one role - and that's Bette Midler
#120Bette Midler as Dolly
Posted: 5/31/13 at 8:57am^^^Do you mean as opposed to Carol Channing, Pearl Bailey, Ethel Merman, Barbra Streisand or most of the other women who have played Dolly in the musical?
#121Bette Midler as Dolly
Posted: 6/23/15 at 1:16pm
why didn't this happen
Gothampc
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
#122Bette Midler as Dolly
Posted: 6/23/15 at 1:24pm
"why didn't this happen"
Because Bette is Jewish and Dolly is Irish.
#124Bette Midler as Dolly
Posted: 6/23/15 at 1:31pm
why didn't this happen
Did you not read the thread? It's not happening cause Midler isn't interested in carrying a show like this at her age. Good on her for being honest. Why are we still talking about Midler when we have Patti waiting in the wings in the red dress?
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