Bette Midler's Final HELLO, DOLLY! Performance Will Benefit the Actors Fund — Page 5

Zamedy, you're not alone regarding feeling a tinge of disappointment that this afternoon's matinee was not Bette's final performance. I was at the performance last night, and again at the matinee, and the response from the audience was about the same. There just wasn't that extra zing that one would expect.

I'm glad I made the trip, just to see The Waiters' Gallop. I love all the ensemble numbers in this show, but the Waiters' Gallop is my favorite. I felt that the actor play Rudolph blew his whistle too soon, and cut off the enthusiastic applause from the audience.

A Director said: "poisonivy2 said:

And Bette only missed one show. That's pretty amazing given that she's 71."

Good grief! 71 does not mean she has one foot in the grave!

"

I'm not saying she does. But given the attendance of some other Broadway luminaries missing one show during an entire run is amazing and speaks to her professionalism and dedication.

poisonivy2 said: "No speeches? That's sort of odd and a bit cold given the fact that Bette Midler, DHP, Taylor Trensch, Beanie Feldstein and departing ensemble members gave so much to the show and made the producers so much $$$ and by all accounts behaved with the utmost professionalism."

One imagines if Bette wanted to make a speech, she would have.... so, if she didn't, she didn't want to. The show's vibe since it opened was to let the show speak for itself...

bk said: "poisonivy2 said: "No speeches? That's sort of odd and a bit cold given the fact that Bette Midler, DHP, Taylor Trensch, Beanie Feldstein and departing ensemble members gave so much to the show and made the producers so much $$$ and by all accounts behaved with the utmost professionalism. I know there's a semi-social media blackout but I've noticed that it was loosened recently and it's clear this was a close-knit cast. Oh well.

And Bette only missed one show. That's pretty amazing given that she's 71."

And you are how old?

"

Exactly. Why does being in your seventies mean that you are expected to miss performances, or that it should be a notable ocurence? Older in actors in lead roles have performed in Broadway shows without calling out. She's not 105 .

For anyone on the boards who went to the 8pm Actor's Fund performance last night, did anything special happen within the show? Any emotional moments between actors? The final scene with Bette and David? Did Bette adlib anything referencing this being her last show during the title number?

I sat in the balcony for the 2pm performance and was surprised to see half the front row and half the second row of the center balcony were empty for the first act (either because the people who bought them couldn't make it for some reason or because perhaps they were asking for too much on StubHub??) For the second act, either people arrived or...more likely.. some people moved down. My friend and I wanted to (we were far left in row D), but I'm always afraid the ushers will say something or the people sitting behind the empty seats will pass serious judgement.

Zamedy154 said: "For anyone on the boards who went to the 8pm Actor's Fund performance last night, did anything special happen within the show? Any emotional moments between actors? The final scene with Bette and David? Did Bette adlib anything referencing this being her last show during the title number?"

She did go into one of the choruses around the passerelle saying "One last time!" or "One last time, boys!"

Beyond that, she and DPH did more shtick and physical comedy at the Harmonia Gardens dinner scene than I ever saw them do before. I think they wanted to review a lot of the stuff they had done throughout the run and just added it into one big megamix.

DPH did get a bit choked up in the final scene. But overall, I just remember seeing a lot of glances between everyone, where they just wanted to burn every second of the night into their memory. Gavin and Taylor seemed to be enjoying every second of their last time on stage, and Bette seemed to want to connect to every single person onstage, and gave everyone a moment. Magical night.

Zamedy154 said: "I sat in the balcony for the 2pm performance and was surprised to see half the front row and half the second row of the center balcony were empty for the first act (either because the people who bought them couldn't make it for some reason or because perhaps they were asking for too much on StubHub??)"

There is no late seating, so.. they may have been standing toward the back, fuming, for much of act one?

Mildred Plotka said: "How dare he add an extra show to raise a boatload of money for a wonderful charity! "

There’s nothing wrong with him adding a show to raise money for charity... i think it’s a genius way to counter against scalpers etc (much like Hamilton tries to do). It’s the fact that he did so AFTER announcing the closing performance. Sure maybe there was no intent and maybe he was just trying to combat scalpers... but it sure felt like a calculated move to sell the 2pm tickets (at very high prices) first this burning a lot of genuine fans.

Zamedy154 said: "ace33 said: "Mildred Plotka said: "How dare he add an extra show to raise a boatload of money for a wonderful charity! "

There’s nothing wrong with him addinga show to raise money for charity...i think it’s a genius way to counter against scalpers etc (much like Hamilton tries to do). It’s the fact that he did so AFTER announcing the closing performance. Sure maybe there was no intent and maybe he was just trying to combat scalpers... but it sure feltlike a calculated moveto sell the 2pm tickets (at very high prices) first this burning a lot of genuine fans."'

Amen.

I honestly don't think he cares about the 'genuine fans.' He first proved this on Tony night, and then again with this move.

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I agree. He obviously doesn't care about the fans. But he is a very smart producer and has made very wise choices with this show. Not doing a big number at the Tonys eventually proved to be a good choice. It was a awful telecast all around. But us fans were deprived. I still think there is more to the story of the Tony disaster. I know Bette has had a bad relationship with CBS since her sitcom days ( she talks about it in her concerts) and I wonder if that had anything to do with it.

who's account on insta?

I found some footage of the actors fund reception and crowd last night. If you can make it thru the host of this video.. You might want to skip around. Bless him.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HylW5yDGzl8&feature=share

Two things- YES 71 is an age where you just never know about health and injury. I am getting up there myself- still in my sixties though- and love to go to the gym- have noticed more injuries- and more healing time- then when I was younger. As you age, hate to tell some of you- but you do decline in abilities and stamina- bones are not as strong as when we are young- joints, tendons- the whole system ages- like a car- some cars go great at 100,00 miles- and some need a lot of maintenance. Just the way it is- and to pretend otherwise is to pretend.

I saw HD only to see BM- but might go back because I love Bernadette, too. The show to me is not great- it is silly and broad and really not all that funny- it is just okay in my book- but I would see it again to see Bernadette- love her.