Posted: 1/19/16 at 12:10am
I always thought Bette as Dolly would make a good live telecast because I wanted to see her in the role but doubted she'd do 8 shows a week on Broadway. Laura Benanti was my dream Irene Malloy for that but strangely it seems like a step backwards career wise for her to play it in a stage production.
Posted: 1/19/16 at 1:02am
My favorite recording is the 1967 Pearl Bailey.
Posted: 1/19/16 at 1:45am
The original recording is definitive. Channing is THE Dolly and the reduced orchestrations and the aging of Channing's voice mar the otherwise pretty great 1994 recording. The original recording just has a spark that the others don't. There's a certain energy that has never been duplicated on other recordings - a joy throughout the album that makes it the most faithful to the show, even if other recordings are more complete. Despite the truncated arrangements, the OBC remains one of the best recordings of a musical ever.
Updated On: 1/19/16 at 01:45 AM
Posted: 1/19/16 at 2:45am
Agreed with Sally. Although being a Streisand fan, I love hearing Barbra sing this score. But the OBC is the Dolly you should know.
Posted: 1/19/16 at 5:11am
Pearl Baily ,I love,far superior to others. Does that make me a.....?
But Bette as Dolly-perfect. Warm,womanly and wonderful. I like a Dolly with meat on her bones not someone stick thin and screeches. On the stairs the latter would look like one of the bannisters.
Said with Love......SL....x
Perhaps Bette could skip the matinees but what would all those blue rinse coach parties go to?
Posted: 1/19/16 at 6:24am
Bette already said she couldn't do 8 shows a week again, so either she's changed her mind or this is another live TV musical.
Posted: 1/19/16 at 6:34am
Reports on ATC that it will be a Broadway run in Spring of 2017
Posted: 1/19/16 at 7:09am
To make things legit...
http://www.broadway.com/buzz/183239/bette-midler-will-return-to-broadway-in-hello-dolly-revival/
Previews start March 2017!
Updated On: 1/19/16 at 07:09 AM
Posted: 1/19/16 at 9:17am
Well, that's certainly giving her enough time to get in shape for eight shows a week, if she isn't already. Whether or not she'll actually do them, though, remains to be seen. If she's going to do a reduced schedule, though, I think Rudin should hedge his bets by getting a star of at least comparable status to split the weeks with her. That way, there's not a sudden sales fall-off for the rest of the week.
Posted: 1/19/16 at 6:23pm
mistermanifesto said: "I was within seconds of creating this thread. UGH. You guys are so quick...
I'm really excited for Bette though in this role! And ew, as much as I love Patti, I don't think she would do this role much justice. I don't think she has the exuberance, charisma and glamour that the role requires.
"
Forgive me for rewriting you, but surely LuPone has plenty of exuberance and charisma!
I think the word you want is "charm". Who would hire Patti LuPone and invite her to meddle in their private affairs. She'd drive her customers crazy and be homeless within a year. (The same might be said of Streisand's Dolly.)
Midler has a great sense of humor (something neither LuPone nor Streisand are known for) and I suspect she will be very charming in the role.
