Donna Murphy, Scott Rudin, Hello, Dolly!

[binau]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 3:57am

There were rumours online years ago that Scott Rudin was borderline abusive to Donna Murphy. On instagram she just described some of the experience as ‘extremely difficult and painful for me’ - but that Gavin was always a ‘beacon of light’ for her during it. 

I wonder if this is confirmation about how she was treated. It does make me sad that she wasn’t able to enjoy herself in that magnificent production, role and cast as she should. 

[imeldasturn]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 6:16am

I assumed it was about her very recent widowhood. 

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 6:52am

She was miserable doing Dolly.

[Bwaygurl2]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 7:44am

TotallyEffed said: "She was miserable doing Dolly."

Why? It's a tribute to her skill that she seemed to be having so much fun. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 8:58am

When you are used to being the star, it can be an extremely challenging thing to slot into a running show once week, and with limited freedom to deviate from Bette’s footprint (aside from the new keys). Add to it Rudin being Rudin, Bette being Bette, and Donna’s own grieving process.

It was a challenging and unhappy time for Donna and it caused her to take it out on some people too.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 8:59am

I have seen a dozen Dolly’s and she was at the top of the list.  Says something about her strength as a person.  I also loved CC, but was amazed at what a great job Murphy did with the songs.

[Bette's Turban]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 10:54am

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "When you are used to being the star, it can be an extremely challenging thing to slot into a running show once week, and with limited freedom to deviate from Bette’s footprint (aside from the new keys). Add to it Rudin being Rudin, Bette being Bette, and Donna’sown grieving process.

It was a challenging and unhappy time for Donna and it caused her to take it out on some people too."

You absolutely have no idea what you’re talking about.  You took a comment she made in Instagram and have come up with your own fiction .

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 10:58am

Bette's Turban said: "You absolutely have no idea what you’re talking about. You took a comment she made in Instagram and have come up with your own fiction ."

I didn't see her Instagram post, but I have no interest in sharing more detail of the first-hand information I have received over the years regarding this situation.

[Bette's Turban]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 11:00am

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Bette's Turban said: "You absolutely have no idea what you’re talking about. You took a comment she made in Instagram and have come up with your own fiction ."

I didn't see her Instagram post, but I have no interest in sharing more detail of the first-hand information I have received over the years regarding this situation."

Uhum.  

[ACL2006]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 12:31pm

Murphy was a fantastic Dolly. She was basically hired to cover Bette's three weeks of vacation. There was no need for the Tuesday additional performance with Donna. But it made it an affordable evening for anyone that couldn't see Midler.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 12:35pm

Of the three actresses I saw play Dolly in this revival, she was far and away my favorite. Bette was hysterically funny and Bernadette brought her usual thing, but Donna brought the whole production together as a true ensemble player. I hope she’s been able to find peace with whatever she went through at that time, hopefully in no small part to Gavin.

[DAME]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 2:13pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Bette's Turban said: "You absolutely have no idea what you’re talking about. You took a comment she made in Instagram and have come up with your own fiction ."

I didn't see her Instagram post, but I have no interest in sharing more detail of the first-hand information I have received over the years regarding this situation."

Then why comment about this at all.  Even if you knew what you are talking about ( which I suspect you don't) a decent person with first hand information wouldn't be sharing it anonymously on a chat board. Donna shared a memory about Gavin.  That is all.  I did not know the man.  Just a fan.  But he didn't seem to be into chat boards , social media, and gossip.  So let's show some respect.