HELLO, DOLLY! Previews — Page 15

PThespian said:

Mr. Rudin is refusing to let them make a preshow house announcement about the whole "can't return to your seat" policy so I am trying to help spread the word to both aid and assist my friends who work at the Shubert.

In God's name,why? At any show I've seen with this policy, the ushers go up and down warning patrons over and over about this. It's not like it 'breaks the spell of the show ' or anything.

http://deadline.com/2017/03/dolly-looks-divine-bette-midler-broadway-box-office-1202047177/

I feel the same. This is a play! It is NOT appropriate to interrupt the theatrical experience, not to mention the concentration of the actors, by screaming out such selfish accolades and attention getters. I experienced this when I saw Liza Minnelli in concert, back in the 1980's... It was amusing the first time (remembering, it was a concert, after all) but after the fourth time, ...ENOUGH ALREADY! I hope I enjoy a respectful and appreciative audience, for 'Dolly', next month.

Looks like the mid-performance audience photos in question (and the posts that responded to them) were just deleted by mods.

Those pictures were not taken by Robbie and are available on instagram for everyone to see. The ushers are obviously doing a good job because most pictures that are out there are of the curtain call. I also would be upset if someone near me started with the picture taking. So distracting and annoying. But thanks Robbie for reposting those. I was glad I got to see them. Excited to see the real thing up close.

Does anyone know who I should contact at the Shubert to discuss seating for my mother? She will be using a rollator/walker and will be arriving in a wheelchair (in case there are lengthy waits along the way). I have eight orchestra tickets, only two are on the aisle. None are designated handicapped. I'd like to go over things with the house make sure everything will be ok. Thanks.

They are very nice and accommodating.

Thanks for the Shubert info, I will call today.

pnewelljr said: "brian1973 said: "This stupid question doesn't deserve an answer.

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'll just re-iterate, sorry to those for whom my question was offensive or upsetting; I won't argue that it could have been worded better. Also, thanks again to those people who gave really wonderful, heartfelt answers, you guys expressed things that I never would have taken away from just browsing a Wikipedia page.

I'm looking forward to finding out tonight for the first time why people feel so strongly for her (Bette)."

Midler has been around for a long time, dating all the way back to the first production of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. I enjoy her concerts (and you'll find most of them on YouTube), but let's be honest, people: like so many of us, she's getting up in years. This was a pretty safe show for her to do, as Dolly Levi isnt an especially demanding singing role. And Bette has always had a good sense of how to contour her act to reflect her age. She wears her silver threads with pride.

THIS IS NOT TO DISPARAGE HER PERFORMANCE. I'm looking forward to seeing it next month, with a ticket I bought the first day they were released. But it's acknowledging that, like everything else, even our icons wear down after a while. We dont like to think about the ravages of time, but they are kind of inevitable. This may be the last time she appears on Broadway, so let's enjoy it while we have the opportunity.

Stage Door Sally said: "The person I spoke with at the Shubert organization did not want to assist me. I asked for the House Manager, she said why. I explained I wanted to go over things because I was bringing my elderly mother to the show and wanted to go over wheelchair/rollator and other questions I had. She interrupted to ask how I bought my tickets. I said Telecharge and she told me to call Telecharge with any questions I had because I bought the tickets from them. So, I did not get the House Manager and did not get to ask my questions."

Actually, I dont know what the official name of the office is, but NYC has a government office dedicated to people with disabilities and making sure access isnt an issue. I suggest going straight to them and sharing this with them. They will not be amused.

Stage Door Sally said: "The person I spoke with at the Shubert organization did not want to assist me. I asked for the House Manager, she said why. I explained I wanted to go over things because I was bringing my elderly mother to the show and wanted to go over wheelchair/rollator and other questions I had. She interrupted to ask how I bought my tickets. I said Telecharge and she told me to call Telecharge with any questions I had because I bought the tickets from them. So, I did not get the House Manager and did not get to ask my questions.



"Surprised to hear that Sally and the way they treated you over the phone...did you get the name of the person you spoke with?

Call them again an explain your situation that your attending Dolly with your Mom etc. @the Shubert on said date...

Updated On: 3/22/17 at 11:33 PM

Stage Door Sally said: "I will call again, I need to go over important things. Last week someone fainted they had to stop the show while asking if there was a doctor in the house. I truly want to avoid anything like this happening with my mother. But I couldn't get past the "Call Telecharge" indifferent gatekeeper."

Sally --- the receptionist at the Shubert Organization office is not in any position to help you (or any other ticketholder) with issues regarding seating, "special needs", refunds/exchanges, etc. She is just that --- a receptionist at the theatre owner's office. You NEED TO CALL Telecharge. Trust me --- not matter how "unique" you think your situation is and how badly you feel you "need to go over important things" --- the people at Telecharge have already dealt with the EXACT SAME ISSUES (and worse) --- probably within the same day!

If you required wheelchair seating --- you should have raised that issue when you purchased your tickets. However, if they still have those locations available, they will move your mother and a companion into them. If those wheelchair locations are already filled --- you may need to switch to another performance. But CALL TELECHARGE, and if you feel your "situation" is so unique that no one in the history of Broadway has ever been through it, by all means ask for a supervisor. But leave the receptionist at the Shubert office alone, for god's sake. She's a lovely woman and has a difficult job.

JSquared2 I did not pressure the Shubert receptionist. I asked to speak to the House Manager, she declined to connect me and instead told me to tell her my concerns. I didn't get through them before being told to call Telecharge. Did you create your screen name today for the sole purpose to harass me?

Updated On: 3/23/17 at 12:32 PM