Betty Buckley @ Joe's Pub

Hmmm....

Caught Betty Buckley's show tonight and I should say, at the outset, that I've seen her so many times over the years, I'm not sure why she hasn't gotten a restraining order. I've been a huge fan for a very long time.

Tonight was the first of 4 concerts to celebrate the release of her new CD called Hope, which was recorded live, last year, at Joe's Pub. I was there, last year, as well, and it's ostensibly the same show, with a few additions and omissions.

She opened, as last time, with Any Major Dude Will Tell You by Steely Dan,  one of two Steely Dan songs she performs. They weren't good then and they weren't good tonight. And, that's the issue I frequently have with Ms. Buckley. The songs she enjoys singing, are not necessarily the songs an audience enjoys hearing. My companion, who had not seen her last year, commented that he thought her song choices were "just awful."

In addition to questionable song choices, most of the songs are downers and to celebrate an album called Hope, one would think you would try to be somewhat upbeat and inspirational instead of presenting an evening of dirge music.

Jerry Zaks was in the audience, tonight and I was hoping we might hear a snippet from Hello Dolly, but, alas, no. Ms. Buckley mentioned rehearsals start in late July.

So, the big question, to me, was, whether she's ready for Hello Dolly.

If presented as Next To Normal meets Carrie, then, absolutely. Otherwise, I see no way she can pull this off. She has little warmth and is far too serious, even when she's being lighthearted. Her vocals start shaky, as though she hasn't warmed up and by mid-show, sound better. My companion asked how she could do Dolly, if a 70 minute cabaret show seemed vocally challenging.

Ms. Buckley's voice has always been a bit wild and you never can be sure where she's going to take you. This is why I've been a fan for so long. She doesn't always hit it, but when she does, it's positively thrilling. Over the years, however, I'm not sure she's been singing enough to maintain her voice and the thrilling moments are more scarce. So, while it's still fine, I've heard her voice decline over the years. I really hope she can sustain a 2 hour and 45 minutes show every night.

I will happily pay good money to see her in Dolly with my fingers crossed, but I do wonder what Jerry Zaks was thinking as he listened to her sing, tonight.

I saw the Saturday show and she was really great! First time seeing her live so I have no basis of comparison - and I have no idea what your yardstick for "thrilling" is, regarding past performances - but there were definitely some truly thrilling moments during the show I saw. The vibe in the audience was great. I also didn't have a problem with her song choices. I love that she's so into rock... she does Steely Dan and Joni Mitchell justice.

She's definitely older and doesn't move like she used to, but she also seems pretty tough and if she trains physically and vocally over the next few months, I could imagine a really strong and enjoyable Dolly when autumn rolls around.

(I'm not nearly as well-versed in a lot of the Broadway stuff as many of the message board contributors here, so I might not know what I'm talking about)

Buckley is certainly unique and the voice is changing with age, for sure. However, I think she can handle Dolly. Betty is, at heart, a charming cowgirl. She has a warm smile and pluck. She tends towards darker material, but she can do broad comedy. Also, Dolly isn't necessarily a "happy" role. Bernadette has said in interviews that Dolly is at an impasse in her life and the show is about rebirth. Betty is a master storyteller in song. It's what she does. I believe her "Parade Passes By" will be sublime. She will bring the pathos and the resolve. I'm not concerned. I do wonder how producers feel about her strong and vocal anti-Trump presence in social media. That could affect sales.