HELLO, DOLLY! Previews — Page 10

GavestonPS said: "pnewelljr said: "I have a side question. Can anyone tell me more about Bette Midler compared to Donna Murphy, just in general (as we obviously can't compare their performances at this point)? Why is Bette such a big deal?"

I'm speaking of Bette Midler in her prime here. Donna Murphy is almost certainly a superior actress; Bette Midler is the greatest entertainer I have ever seen live. In her day, there was real danger in a Midler concert, a palpable feeling that she just might--and often did--say or do ANYthing! In later years, she learned (had to learn, really, after collapsing on stage) to save her voice, energy, etc., so that her outrageousness is more show than reality. But it was still damn, good show! She actually came to sing better and her comic timing lost nothing in the process.

I am green with envy of those of you who get to see her in DOLLY!"

Thanks for your response, the exact kind of thing I was hoping to hear, people who have seen her live and can really understand why she is special.

I somehow by an act of God will get to see this tomorrow, and I am even more excited to experience my first time seeing her and Hello Dolly (other than the movie, of course). :)

Updated On: 3/16/17 at 09:33 PM

"pnewelljr said: "I asked what I thought was a simple question, I am honestly sorry if I offended anyone. I am not a troll, and I thought it might be a good way to learn about her from her fans. I apologize again to anyone I upset. I did, in fact, google her, again I was hoping to learn something I didn't know. I am sorry if my question was inappropriate."

Dont worry pnewelljr - all will be forgiven! To give you a little background ... Midler is a Showbusiness legend (the word legend if often tossed around too much but she really is). I will give you some highlights to illustrate.

- fifty years in the industry

- millions of album sales

- 25 albums released

- one of the few artists with a top 10 album in the 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s. Her most recent in 2014 reached number three

- a tony award, Emmy awards, golden globes and two oscar nominations

- over a twenty movie roles (during the mid to late eighties she was the top comedy draw) Download some of her comedy movies; they are great.(She even offered her Dolly director Jerry Zak's a sex act in Outrageous Fortune - hilarious scene!) Also take a look at The Rose - an unbelievable performance. You may have heard of other iconic Midler movies - Beaches, Hocus Pocus, The First Wives Club

- Sold out world tours

- She created a not for profit that has done wonders for the New York parks over the last 20 years

- She has created another not for profit that renews school theatres

- An early advocate for the gay rights movement and longtime icon within the GLBTQI community



Midler in performance is electric - there is no real way to describe it...you just have to see it. She can make you laugh and then cry within seconds of each other. You feel like the performance is just for you and her love and energy is palpable. Watch Divine Madness or Diva Las Vegas and you will get a tiny glimpse but the only real way to truly 'Experience the Divine' is to see her in the flesh.


There are very few people who have had such long and successful careers. Think of her in the same category as Barbara Streisand, Cher, David Bowie, Liza Minnelli, Judy Garland - If you know about any of these people and imagine them on Broadway - Midler is the same Calibre.

Hope this gives you a little insight :)

Updated On: 3/16/17 at 10:09 PM

GavestonPS said: "pnewelljr said: "I have a side question. Can anyone tell me more about Bette Midler compared to Donna Murphy, just in general (as we obviously can't compare their performances at this point)? Why is Bette such a big deal?



"

I'm speaking of Bette Midler in her prime here. Donna Murphy is almost certainly a superior actress; Bette Midler is the greatest entertainer I have ever seen live. In her day, there was real danger in a Midler concert, a palpable feeling that she just might--and often did--say or do ANYthing! In later years, she learned (had to learn, really, after collapsing on stage) to save her voice, energy, etc., so that her outrageousness is more show than reality. But it is still damn, good show! She actually sings better and her comic timing has lost nothing in the process.

As for Midler v. Murphy, I'd be thrilled to see either one. But the role calls for a bravura performance more than acting skill, which is why Midler is starring and Murphy, as good as she is, is doing Tuesdays.

(I too was surprised by your question at first. But then I really couldn't see anything wrong with it. Scanning a list of credits doesn't really tell one why a performer has appeal. I know WHY Mary Pickford and Louise Brooks were important based on their resumes, but that means little in terms of why they had so much appeal.)

I am green with envy of those of you who get to see her in DOLLY!



"

Great answer. Listen, I've been a fan of Bette since I was five years old, and even I was fine with the asking of this question. On this board every other thread is a "should I see this or that" and no one says "Go Google the reviews" even though that would probably make more sense. It's fine to ask why he should care about either one.

pnewelljr, while I am jealous you'll get to see the show before I do - my sick/now deceased cat ate up my Bette funds - I hope you'll become her newest fan!

Beautiful answer, everythingtaboo.

Any update on what has happened tonight when they stopped the show? Have they re started or has it been cancelled?

We were there tonight. I can't think of anything else to say that hasn't already been said. It was a spectacular evening from start to finish. I haven't been this giddy after seeing a show in quite a long time, and it feels marvelous. This is the kind of show that we need right now. I was smiling through the whole show, and I may not stop smiling for awhile. Bette had the audience eating out of her hand from the moment she appeared on stage. Standing O after the title song. DHP surprised me with how good he was, and the rest of the leads were equally outstanding. The ensemble was incredible and always on point. The sets and costumes were breathtaking. I am so grateful to the great Ms. Midler for choosing to do this show, and blessing the world with this beautiful production. As someone said earlier, this should run for years......I say we NEED this to run for years.

I''m so fortunate that we got to see this. We sat right orchestra, row F, seats 2 and 4. Perfect seats. It's the most I've ever paid for tickets at the box office, and I feel like it was a bargain.

On a more serious note, the medical emergency did stop the first act for about 20 minutes. Before they restarted the show they made an announcement that the person was in stable condition. We don't know what the emergency was (it was mid orchestra and further back), but our prayers go out to him.

Updated On: 3/17/17 at 12:11 AM

Glad to hear the audience member was in stable condition.

Darlings, I simply need to see this. "Hello, Dolly!" is one of the few shows that I sincerely believe is perfect - every song, every word in the book, and perfect staging (all because of that genius Gower). This sounds like utter perfection. I love that they are keeping much of the original staging and the lavish costumes - and a rather large orchestra, for today! The new overture has be excited, "Penny In my Pocket" makes me giddy, and Bette... well, Bette has me thrilled. I'm sure Donna will be rapturous as well. This is the theatrical event of a lifetime!

Very excited to see this show but my tickets are in October. Not sure I can wait that long. It seems that people have been able to get a ticket or two on Ticketmaster the day before? Are these resales? I thought the show was completely sold out?

mc1227 said: "Very excited to see this show but my tickets are in October. Not sure I can wait that long. It seems that people have been able to get a ticket or two on Ticketmaster the day before? Are these resales? I thought the show was completely sold out?



"

We bought ours on Seat Geek the late afternoon of the opening preview. Our flight out of NYC was cancelled so there were a lot of resale tix available from folks who were unable to get to NYC. We were blessed to pay a fraction of face value for front row tix. As curtain time got closer, ticket prices dropped significantly. I think luck had a lot to do with our good fortune.

mc1227 said: "I thought the show was completely sold out? "

No such thing. A lot of seats have never been made available for sale, to hold for future premiums. There are house seats, producer's seats, and some of the side orchestra was only made available once the show loaded in... pretty normal. There will also be premiums that can flip back to regular price a few hours to showtime.

Does anyone know what the sight lines are like at the Shubert? Would be coming from Boston to see Bette with tiny 15 year old daughter as a bday gift. Would either have to buy resale or premium tix & wondering what the rake is like in the orchestra? Premium tix are in rows L and M but for that $$$ want to make sure we can SEE Are we better off in the front mezz if we can get it? Blowing the budget on this one for sure....

Thanks!

I am so glad I purchased tickets to a couple of back-to-back performances for early April. I am really looking forward to this.