HELLO, DOLLY! Previews — Page 30

carnzee said: "
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There are people complaining? Probably sourpusses that can't get a ticket.

Pretty much. The complaints about Bette doing Bette and not Dolly mostly seem to come from folks who haven't seen it and are reacting to reports from those that have. Those who have seen her usually say she is playing Dolly, as well as delivering the "Divine " persona. I mean, it doesn't have to be either or."



I certainly wasn't expecting her to come out in the mermaid tail and launch into her "BALLS!" routine, but I was surprised at how well that worked for Dolly Levi. The whole night was magic.

Updated On: 4/19/17 at 12:53 AM

I can't wait to read the official reviews tomorrow night!

They stopped the show tonight to fix a sound problem?

I am buying tickets soon, I am very very afraid of heights, what's the balcony and mezz level like at the Shubert?

WithoutATrace said: "It was directly after "I Put My Hand In" during Horace and Ermengarde's opening scene. It sounded like Melanie Moore's microphone wasn't working properly (I heard David Hyde Pierce just fine). They made an announcement, stopped the show for a few minutes to fix the sound issue, and then restarted their scene. Upon resumption, DHP banged on the drum and said "Damn" to which the audience cheered and applauded...and the remainder of the show continued on without a hitch.



"

Same exact thing happened last night, right down to the pick-up spot.

Updated On: 4/20/17 at 07:54 AM

Don't tell Jerry Herman that. Actually it has had a lot of performances on Broadway in its original and return engagements. Which places it in a pretty good place in the annals of theater and testifies to its place in musical theater history. And the music is pretty wonderful.

It's okay to not have a personal like for the show, but I do think it would probably be considered up there when it comes to popular, famous musicals.

As for being dated, that's just what it is. When you revive a musical, the time period will come with it. Be it the time period representative of the actual era of when it took its first bows on Broadway (RENT), or some past time period (as in Dolly).

I do agree though that a charismatic star is preferred. Just like good dancers are preferred in West Side Story, or the like.

poisonivy2 said: "I don't think Hello Dolly! is strong enough of a musical to survive without an extremely charismatic Dolly Levi. The storyline and jokes were dated even in 1964. Therefore I don't mind that Bette Midler is doing the Divine Miss M schtick. I mean it's a very enjoyable musical but I don't think it's in the top tier of American musicals.



"

The show is magic. Bette Midler does not play Bette Midler. She plays Dolly. Thank god because as Madame Rose in Gypsy she played Bette Midler. She rises to the ocasion. And she is backed up by an incomparable cast. It is truly a must see event.

I saw the Lee Roy Reames Hello Dolly and it was painful. He was so trying so hard to play a real woman that he was not funny nor believable.. Lewis J Stadlen was fantastic in that production and stole the evening. Hello Horace anyone??

That god awful production with Lee Roy Reames versus Bette in Dolly is like night and Day.

Hosannas to Bette, Gavin Creel, Kate Baldwin (best I've ever seen her) Beanie Feldstein (what a delight) and David Hyde Piere who reinvents Vandergelder and makes it his own. Kudos to Jerry Zaks, Warren Carysle and the Entire Cast. Santo Loquasto improves on the original sets!

"cha·ris·ma

k??rizm?/

noun

1. 1.
   
   compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others.
   
   "she enchanted guests with her charisma" "
   
   Charisma is a defining attribute of Dolly. Of course the actress playing her needs to convince as compellingly attractive and charming so as to inspire devotion.
   
   You can't have a good production of Hello Dolly with a leading lady who couldn't deliver that charisma.
   
   But that in no way devalues Hello Dolly as a musical.
   
   One can't persuasively argue that Hamlet wouldn't be a great play because it won't work with a leading man incapable of conveying profound uncertainty, a quick reflective and playful intellect, melancholy, and occasional if inopportune excitability.

Updated On: 4/20/17 at 03:11 PM

Exactly. I didn't put it into words in the succinct way you did, but that's why I was a little confused by the observation of another poster that suggested this musical doesn't have what it takes to stand on its own without a "charismatic" Dolly.

You can have an uncharismatic Dolly, but it doesn't mean the show itself is bad. Just the person they chose to portray Dolly isn't any good.

henrikegerman said: ""cha·ris·ma

k??rizm?/

noun

1. 1.
   
   compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others.
   
   "she enchanted guests with her charisma" "
   
   Charisma is a defining attribute of Dolly. Of course the actress playing her needs to convince as compellingly attractive and charming so as to inspire devotion.
   
   You can't have a good production of Hello Dolly with a leading lady who couldn't deliver that charisma.
   
   But that in no way devalues Hello Dolly as a musical.
   
   One can't persuasively argue that Hamlet wouldn't be a great play because it won't work with a leading man incapable of conveying profound uncertainty, a quick reflective and playful intellect, melancholy, and occasional if inopportune excitability.

"

Dollypop, I sure hope you were able to get a ticket to opening night.

No more previews

Just noticed Universal is one of the producers for the show. i was wondering if it was in the realm of possibility that this revival could lead to a remake of the film with Bette.

In a word: WOW!