Posted: 8/2/17 at 2:11am
I heard they asked Bette to move aside so they could bring in Bernadette and finally make a real $. Show is in dire situation and risk of closing.
Posted: 8/2/17 at 3:21am
I agree with others who have posted before - if they decide to replace, it'll be Bernadette. Some have indicated LuPone, but not sure she'll want to do another musical after War Paint (I think this may have closed by January) and not sure she'd want to be a replacement, especially ro someone of Midler's stature and ticket-selling ability. Not sure LuPone's pride would allow her to do this. Bernadette is arguably less ego-driven.
Posted: 8/2/17 at 7:12am
Don't think Lupone would step into Midler's shoes after Midler won the Tony award, and not Lupone.
Posted: 8/2/17 at 8:32am
I bought my tickets to the 1/13 and 1/14 performances the weekend I saw the show in April. So glad I did.
I'd love to see a Vanessa Williams/Brian Stokes Mitchell or Norm Lewis pairing after Bette leaves. Vanessa recently saw Norm in Sweeney Todd (he posted a photo on Facebook).
@CarlosAlberto, I'm so jealous! I've seen it 3 times, and will be there again in a couple of weeks. I tried sending you a PM, but you no longer accept them.
Updated On: 8/2/17 at 08:32 AM
Posted: 8/2/17 at 8:46am
I'm just so happy to have seen this brilliant production of my favorite childhood musical. My mother was over the moon, and calls me every day from her nursing home telling me this show was the thrill of her life. (I made a photo book for her including a lot of the photos Robbie 2 posted, which she shares with everyone).
I just can't say enough wonderful things. Getting misty-eyed.
Thank you Bette, you done good.
Posted: 8/2/17 at 10:10am
I'm so happy I got to see this beloved show with one of my favorite all time legendary stars . I love Dolly and I love Bette. I'm hoping this is not the end of her Dolly . I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it is preserved for massive public viewing . I also hope that since Bette is a old pro at touring...that she takes this beautiful production all over the world.
Posted: 8/2/17 at 10:14am
I loved Better, but I LOVED Donna. I have a few more sets of Bette tickets to enjoy, but will definitely be adding to those with Donna performances. If you haven't seen Donna, what are you waiting for!
Posted: 8/2/17 at 11:09am
Throwing out this beautiful production just because Bette is leaving is really throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
They should follow the model of the original Hello Dolly! with a number of successful replacements once Channing left (Ethel Merman, Ginger Rogers, Betty Grable, Pearl Bailey).
Posted: 8/2/17 at 11:47am
poisonivy2 said: "Throwing out this beautiful production just because Bette is leaving is really throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
They should follow the model of the original Hello Dolly! with a number of successful replacements once Channing left (Ethel Merman, Ginger Rogers, Betty Grable, Pearl Bailey)."
Who said they aren't doing that? They don't have to announce both things simultaneously.
Posted: 8/2/17 at 11:58am
They need to get on the 8-ball on this if they want strong advance sales so they aren't left without a penny in their pocket on January 15 (see: Great Comet).
Posted: 8/2/17 at 12:11pm
Err, Great Comet doesn't know who is going to be its lead in 2 weeks. Hello Dolly hasn't announced who its Dolly will be in 4+ months (which doesn't mean they don't already know). Not exactly the same...
Posted: 8/2/17 at 12:13pm
Well, I pulled the trigger, and my 94 y/o grandmother is going to see her first Broadway show in a long, long time to see Bette as Dolly next Thursday. But she will not know until that day, since she would be too nervous wondering how she will feel otherwise, so I'll show up for lunch, tell her, and off we go to NYC... ack. *fingers crossed*
Posted: 8/2/17 at 12:45pm
Fabulous. I did the same for my mom in April. She will have a fabulous and special time.
Posted: 8/2/17 at 12:52pm
haterobics said: "Well, I pulled the trigger, and my 94 y/o grandmother is going to see her first Broadway show in a long, long time to see Bette as Dolly next Thursday. But she will not know until that day, since she would be too nervous wondering how she will feel otherwise, so I'll show up for lunch, tell her, and off we go to NYC... ack. *fingers crossed*"
This sounds great! Here's hoping you both have a great time!
Posted: 8/2/17 at 1:24pm
Patti took over in Master Class after Zoe Caldwell won the Tony and left. I don't think ego has anything to do with it. The woman works tirelessly.
Posted: 8/2/17 at 1:36pm
haterobics said: "Well, I pulled the trigger, and my 94 y/o grandmother is going to see her first Broadway show in a long, long time to see Bette as Dolly next Thursday. But she will not know until that day, since she would be too nervous wondering how she will feel otherwise, so I'll show up for lunch, tell her, and off we go to NYC... ack. *fingers crossed*"
Precious!
Posted: 8/2/17 at 1:55pm
BuddyStarr said: "Patti took over in Master Class after Zoe Caldwell won the Tony and left. I don't think ego has anything to do with it. The woman works tirelessly."
This is completely different - she and Midler were up for the Best Actress in a Musical Tony this year, and Midler won. When Lupone took over in "Master Class" she had not competed against Zoe Caldwell for a Tony less than a year earlier.
Besides, didn't LuPone say "War Paint" would be her last Broadway musical?
Posted: 8/2/17 at 4:52pm
Yes but only because she thinks she is too old to be offered any more leading roles not because she is retiring.
Posted: 8/2/17 at 9:36pm
They can always ask Rosie O'Donnell to take over for Midler when she leaves. Rosie thinks she's a musical actress....but she may walk off halfway through her contracted run.
Posted: 8/2/17 at 11:09pm
Thanks for the warm wishes... I am a bit nervous, just hoping it all goes OK. She knows this was a possibility, though, so it won't completely blindside her. Although, she did tell me not to bother, but... oh well. Too bad. 
Posted: 8/3/17 at 3:47am
Just saw the show with Donna. Fantastic! I've started thinking if Kristin Chenoweth would be a good fit for this production to replace Bette? I think she can do it.
Posted: 8/3/17 at 4:13am
jewishboy said: "Just saw the show with Donna. Fantastic! I've started thinking if Kristin Chenoweth would be a good fit for this production to replace Bette? I think she can do it.
"
She can play the trumpet in the orchestra.
Posted: 8/3/17 at 8:03am
So nice taking your 94 year old granny!
Two tips. Get there early, they will seat elderly before general crowd. Also, the theater is freezing when you first go in. Have her bring a sweater. They turn off the AC, so it does warm up.
Enjoy.Applaud. Repeat.
Posted: 8/3/17 at 8:22am
Alec3 said: "So nice taking your 94 year old granny!
Two tips. Get there early, they will seat elderly before general crowd. Also, the theater is freezing when you first go in. Have her bring a sweater. They turn off the AC, so it does warm up.
Enjoy.Applaud. Repeat.
"
Alec3 - what a kind fellow you are. Love your positive energy. :)
Posted: 8/3/17 at 10:27am
Alec3 said: "So nice taking your 94 year old granny!
Two tips. Get there early, they will seat elderly before general crowd. Also, the theater is freezing when you first go in. Have her bring a sweater. They turn off the AC, so it does warm up.
Enjoy.Applaud. Repeat."
Oh yeah, everything is different for this trip. Getting to NYC earlier. Dinner earlier. Not showing up 3 minutes to showtime.
