Goodbye, Dolly

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/25/18 at 11:48am

Thanks to everyone involved in bringing one of the greatest productions I’ve ever seen, to the stage.

The Great White Way will become a little less Great after today.

[binau]

Posted: 8/26/18 at 12:01pm

I miss the show with Bernadette so much, it is hard to bear. 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 8/26/18 at 12:43pm

I will never understand why this didn't run much longer.  I think it was ultimately hurt by opening with a mega-star, who set the demand bar so high that anything after was going to be a letdown demand wise, unless replaced by same.  I can't believe they were never able to convince another mag-star -- ad we know there are not a lot of them -- to come in for 6 months, sorta like they did with the original production (although Bailey was in it a long time).  

I was also surprised by the size of their breakeven requirement, but I figured that included Bette's base (before whatever percentages were in her contract).  I imagine the breakeven was lower when Bernadette was on, since her salary must have been dramatically lower than Bette's.

Finally, when I expressed my surprise to someone who also loves the theatre as much as I do and has been doing it for as long, it was his opinion that Hello, Dolly was more likely to be viewed by younger people (whatever that means) about the same way that we viewed 'The Desert Song' 50 years ago...as a relic from the past that resurfaced periodically and that we would avoid at all costs, rather than the great, timeless musical that it actually is.  His point: people were more inclined to assume it was more dated than other great hits from the past, which we both agree is not the case.  

[Huss417]

Posted: 8/26/18 at 12:57pm

Jordan Catalano said: "Thanks to everyone involved in bringing one of the greatest productions I’ve ever seen, to the stage.

The Great White Way will become a little less Great after today."

Last night was amazing and left me on such a high. Today difficult to put my finger on but sort of sad that it is no longer. 

 

[EthelMae]

Posted: 8/26/18 at 1:21pm

Huss417: I can so understand the feelings. In fact, as I left on a high last night, I passed the lobby and the Company Name Board had been stripped of all the names. I knew then it was really over. A lump in my throat. But what a time we had.

[Gizmo6]

Posted: 8/26/18 at 6:42pm

CHER should have replaced. Then LuPone then Peters and so on and so forth

[David10086]

Posted: 8/26/18 at 8:02pm

Thank you to everyone here who strongly encouraged me to see Donna Murphy last September, and then  Bernadette Peters this past June - having the opportunity to see this classic twice during the run was a blessing. (I also saw Channing during her mid-90s tour when it came to RI). Love the show, love each of the three productions I've seen, and the Streisand movie (along with the soundtrack) is one of my all-time favorites. 

As for Midler, sure it would have been wonderful to see her. But honestly, I'm not a big fan of hers, and the price range for her tix was out of my reach. And her cast recording does nothing for me - just sounds like 'Bette Midler sings 'Hello Dolly'. 

[DAME]

Posted: 8/26/18 at 8:16pm

David10086 said: "Thank you to everyone here who strongly encouraged me to see Donna Murphy last September, and then Bernadette Peters this past June - having the opportunity to see this classic twice during the run was a blessing. (I also saw Channing during her mid-90s tour when it came to RI). Love the show, love each of the three productions I've seen, and the Streisand movie (along with the soundtrack) is one of my all-time favorites.

As for Midler, sure it would have been wonderful to see her. But honestly, I'm not a big fan of hers, and the price range for her tix was out of my reach. And her cast recording does nothing for me - just sounds like 'Bette Midler sings 'Hello Dolly'."

Fool.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 8/26/18 at 8:18pm

With the 850k reported weekly operating costs, they'd only be able to continue with another big name.

[msmp]

Posted: 8/26/18 at 9:03pm

This was such a special show, and while it hurts that it's over, I've been looking back at my five shows (3x with Donna, 1x each with Bernadette and Bette) with joy and fondness. At a time when there's so much darkness in the world, both personally and in general, this show was a much-needed injection of light, life, and humor. Every one of us who got to experience the show with any of its 3 leading ladies (4 including Linda's one performance!) should be grateful to have been a part of the magic.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 8/26/18 at 9:10pm

Out of the six times I saw Bette in this production, last night she sounded the best in terms of her vocals.

[Huss417]

Posted: 8/26/18 at 9:10pm

David10086 said: "

As for Midler, sure it would have been wonderful to see her. But honestly, I'm not a big fan of hers, and the price range for her tix was out of my reach. And her cast recording does nothing for me - just sounds like 'Bette Midler sings 'Hello Dolly'."

It was Bette Midler singing Hello Dolly not sure how else you would want her to sound?  

 

[JBC3]

Posted: 8/26/18 at 9:13pm

DAME said: "David10086 said: "Thank you to everyone here who strongly encouraged me to see Donna Murphy last September, and then Bernadette Peters this past June - having the opportunity to see this classic twice during the run was a blessing. (I also saw Channing during her mid-90s tour when it came to RI). Love the show, love each of the three productions I've seen, and the Streisand movie (along with the soundtrack) is one of my all-time favorites.

As for Midler, sure it would have been wonderful to see her. But honestly, I'm not a big fan of hers, and the price range for her tix was out of my reach. And her cast recording does nothing for me - just sounds like 'Bette Midler sings 'Hello Dolly'."

Fool."

Nasty.

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 8/27/18 at 12:02am

This was a gorgeous production. I saw it five times and it's the new talents as well as the divas (Bette, Donna, Bernadette) I'll cherish. For instance I saw Analisa Leaming as Irene Molloy u/s and Christian Dante White sub for Gavin Creel. Never knew these names before but what talents.

I was shocked by the 850k minimum weekly nut. Surely there could have been ways to cut costs and thus make a longer run more feasible? But then again this is going on tour with a great cast so people around the country will get to enjoy this beautiful production.

[Wick3]

Posted: 8/27/18 at 9:35am

I agree I was shocked too when I saw the $850k weekly nut. Even the front row tix priced at $998 was crazy! BTW, I got lucky and sat in the front row for act 2 at this past Saturday matinee (had a SRO ticket but saw 3 front row seats were empty during Act 1 so I moved after intermission!) I felt so lucky to shake Bette's hand at the end. :) :) :)

The Schubert theatre is huge and even balcony seats were priced at $109 which is not cheap. I'm glad this show recouped but investors probably were probably expecting to make more of a profit out of the show.

Just like others, I wish it lasted longer and also had other big-name actresses/singers play Dolly (i.e. Patti LaBelle, Reba McEntire, Audra McDonald, etc.)

The last revival was back in 1994 so it may be another 25 years before we see this show revived again on Broadway.

Updated On: 8/27/18 at 09:35 AM

[SomethingPeculiar]

Posted: 8/27/18 at 10:17am

poisonivy2 said: "I was shocked by the 850k minimum weekly nut. Surely there could have been ways to cut costs and thus make a longer run more feasible? But then again this is going on tour with a great cast so people around the country will get to enjoy this beautiful production."
 

They could have cut down the cast size (37) or the orchestra (23), but it's a huge production, and that creative team doesn't work for cheap when you create a production for Bette Midler. The running cost was probably even higher for Bette's return engagement (and lower for Bernadette's run). And that $850K number could always go up or down if there are new expenses (more advertising one week, additional swings, rehearsals, parties, gifts, etc.)

Plenty of ladies could have stepped in, but it would be a struggle without someone on Bette's level (Latifah, Cher, Reba, Meryl). Sure, someone like Tracey Ullman or Christine Baranski or Whoopi or Jane Lynch would have been great, but the show probably would have started bleeding money very quickly.

[Synecdoche2]

Posted: 8/27/18 at 10:49am

BWW Poster: Bette Middler tickets are out of my price range and I decided to spend my money doing things I like <3 <3 <3

BWW: You fool. You absolute goddamn fool. How dare you not have money.

[haterobics]

Posted: 8/27/18 at 11:12am

Synecdoche2 said: "BWW Poster: Bette Middler tickets are out of my price range and I decided to spend my money doing things I like <3 <3 <3

BWW: You fool. You absolute goddamn fool. How dare you not have money."

You skipped the part where the first slags Bette/her performance off before getting to the part where they couldn't afford it.

[Kad]

Posted: 8/27/18 at 11:28am

I took my parents to see Bette during previews as a joint birthday gift (the tickets went on sale in time for my mom's birthday, the performances started in time for my dad's) and it was one of the most magical nights I've had in a Broadway theatre. Being in that theatre when Bette came down those stairs was nearly indescribable. It was a nova of adoration.

Seeing it with Bernadette was no less special, but special in a different way. It was so, so wonderful to see her having so much fun on that stage, in what is quite possibly one of the few remaining leading roles she will get to play.

I think if Rudin were more of a visionary, he could've done something to make this run longer. He already shortchanged this revival in the long run by not allowing any truly representative performances on television. All future generations will have is that spiteful "Penny in My Pocket" from the Tonys- and no indication of what unique brilliance both Midler and Peters brought.
 

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 8/27/18 at 12:06pm

Kad said: "

I think if Rudin were more of a visionary, he could've done something to make this run longer. He already shortchanged this revival in the long run by not allowing any truly representative performances on television. All future generations will have is that spiteful "Penny in My Pocket" from the Tonys- and no indication of what unique brilliance bothMidler and Peters brought.
"

I know this is a weird thought but I would LOVE to have seen a gender-bending Dolly. Like Billy Porter. We already know he can rock a red dress. Oh well.

 

 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/27/18 at 12:19pm

If the London rumors are true, maybe they’ll film it there.

[Bette's Turban]

Posted: 8/27/18 at 12:24pm

Synecdoche2 said: "BWW Poster: Bette Middler tickets are out of my price range and I decided to spend my money doing things I like <3 <3 <3

BWW: You fool. You absolute goddamn fool. How dare you not have money."

You conveniently skipped the part where he digs at Bette making his post not  totally about the money.   There were many affordable ways to see Bette like many, many , people here did. 

 

[Kad]

Posted: 8/27/18 at 12:28pm

poisonivy2 said: "Kad said: "

I think if Rudin were more of a visionary, he could've done something to make this run longer. He already shortchanged this revival in the long run by not allowing any truly representative performances on television. All future generations will have is that spiteful "Penny in My Pocket" from the Tonys- and no indication of what unique brilliance bothMidler and Peters brought.
"

I know this is a weird thought but I would LOVE to have seen a gender-bending Dolly. Like Billy Porter. We already know he can rock a red dress. Oh well."

It would've been great.

There were so many possibilities.

But Rudin is a producer of taste, not a producer of vision.

 

[SmokeyLady]

Posted: 8/27/18 at 12:32pm

Huss417 said: "David10086 said: "

As for Midler, sure it would have been wonderful to see her. But honestly, I'm not a big fan of hers, and the price range for her tix was out of my reach. And her cast recording does nothing for me - just sounds like 'Bette Midler sings 'Hello Dolly'."

It was Bette Midler singing Hello Dolly not sure how else you would want her to sound?

"

How DARE Bette Midler sound like Bette Midler.  HOW DARE HER!  

I miss the show already so much.  Nothing to go see now.  

[ActorGuyIL]

Posted: 8/27/18 at 12:42pm

Hubby and I were discussing Dolly last night and came up with the question: If it is going to be run in London as a special event (and hopefully filmed), could that explain the casting of Charlie Stemp? As an Equity trade? But would having Charlie here for a while be enough to allow them to take over Bette, David, Gavin and Kate for a special run, if the rest of the cast were British Equity?