Ever since this production was announced, I knew this would be the most anticipated show of the season - if not of my lifetime! The Carol Channing DOLLY OBCR was among the first I ever owned and I know it backwards and forwards. Every song is infectious and I was longing, in my 35 years on this planet, to one day be able to see and hear a full Broadway production of this show. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think it would be this wonderful, this joyous, and exceed my expectations. Last night was the happiest I have been since November 7 - New York City, the United States, and frankly the world, needs this show right now.
Thank you to the creative team - those beautiful sets and backdrops, the show curtain, the gorgeous costumes, THE TRAIN - we all paid an arm and a leg to see this show, and it was worth every penny in our pockets spent!
A lot of credit also has to go to the amazingly hard working ensemble. Sunday Clothes, Dancing, Parade, the Waiters Gallop, the title song - they were all on point for all of it and it just added to the splendor of the evening. Taylor Trensch was great and appeared as if he was so excited to be playing Barnaby Tucker, Beanie Feldstein was glowing in her Broadway debut and fit right in with the old pros around her, and Jennifer Simard was perfectly cast as really knows how to make a small role memorable.
Kate Baldwin - that voice! Ribbons Down My Back gave me chills. Just stunning. Gavin Creel was perfection as Cornelius. Whizzer, who I was sitting next to last night, commented that his voice sounds just like it did on the Millie recording - and that was 15 years ago! Sunday Clothes was a tour de force and It Only Takes a Moment was breathtaking. He was incredible last night, and I imagine, will improve even more as previews continue. David Hyde Pierce was also fantastic. I had not peeked in the playbill at the song list so when he started singing Penny in My Pocket at the top of Act 2, I totally freaked out and smiled even wider and was so happy. The beaming glow on my face continued as DHP delivered the song with charm. Then, towards the end of the show, when DHP has a moment with Dolly that brings us right back to the Penny in My Pocket song, I was so touched and so grateful to be alive. (I don't want to spoil this moment for anyone...you need to see it for yourself) He was a wonderful leading man and, in case some folks are still bitter about him beating Raul Esparza, this show proves without question that he is a musical theater star.
Now onto La Bette. What can I say that hasn't already been said? This woman is an A-list star. She has already given so much to the world, done so much for gay rights and for humanity in general. Currently at age 71, instead of leisurely enjoying her older years and doing one-off concerts or benefits here and there, she decides to get to work in the brilliant star vehicle that is Dolly Levi and give the world 10 months of her time so that we can cheer and applaud and cry and laugh and give her multiple standing ovations and breathe the same air as she (a little overdramatic, I know). She commands the stage with such triumph and holds the audience in the palm of her hand at every moment. I Put My Hand In, Motherhood, Parade, the title song, So Long Dearie. What a privilege we have to be able to see her in this role and sing these songs - and what a privilege it is that she is also spectatular in this role! Bette Midler honestly looks like she is having the time of her life out there on that stage - and she moves and dances around like she is at least 10-15 years younger than her actual age. The entire scene at the Harmonia Gardens restaurant was perfection - and that red dress with the necklace. She looked stunning. It is honestly impossible to describe it in words - it must be seen in person to be believed. Oh how lucky we are in NYC right now. Thank you, Bette.
Ever since last night, I have been singing these songs...I am singing them aloud at work today. In anticipation of hearing Elegance last night, Whizzer and I were up in the balcony singing every verse during intermission before the second act even began! That's how engaged and enraptured this production makes the audience feel. I sincerely hope that both Jerry Herman and Carol Channing can make it to see opening night on April 20th.
If you don't already have tickets to see this, yes, it is worth paying premium prices for - since those are likely the only tickets left - and worth waiting on the cancellation line for. If you have to take out a second mortgage, it will be worth it. What an honor it was to share last night with my two best friends, and I am so fortunate to be able to share this with my partner and his family on March 25 and with my aunt on April 19 - the final preview performance. No doubt, once the SRO policy is implemented, I will be taking advantage of it as often as I can. HELLO, DOLLY! is the answer to making america great again. Thank you creative team, Bette, and the rest of the cast, for giving this brilliance to the world.
Updated On: 3/16/17 at 02:08 PM
. Thus began my "DOLLY odyssey" which included Betty Grable, Pearl Bailey (several times) and Ethel Merman (and even Molly Picon at Philadelphia Playhouse in the Park, where she apologized at the end for not doing her famous cartwheels, but her dress was too tight!).
