HELLO, DOLLY! Previews- Page 9

[junglered]

Posted: 3/16/17 at 2:54pm

I haven't posted on BWW in quite some time, but I try to check in on this site from time to time. Reading this thread has made me extremely happy and I feel like I have to chime in. It warms my heart to see many revered posters of days gone by like Michael Bennett share their exhilarating and heartfelt comments about the much anticipated Hello! Dolly revival. It's been wonderful for me to hear about the sheer joy of this production and what it means to so many of my fellow lovers of theater. Thanks to you ALL for sharing your thoughts in this forum. I am truly looking forward to my visit to NYC in 2 weeks time and cannot wait to see Bette, David, Gavin, Kate and the entire company of Hello Dolly at the Shubert Theatre on April 1.   

-Jungle

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 3/16/17 at 3:11pm

And I loved the runway around the orchestra pit and how Warren has the dancers jump over it...fresh and fun!

Seriously?  As mentioned above, those leaps have always been in the show.  Warren has NOTHING to do with it.  If anything, the original choreography is literally being recreated.  I really can't tell what Warren added to it.  

[RagtimeRay]

Posted: 3/16/17 at 3:26pm

Michael Bennett said: "The original 1964 production didn't have an overture.  The overture printed in the piano score is (I believe) one that was released specifically for stock / amateur roll-out.  The Pearl Bailey cast recording includes an overture, but I'm not sure this was actually heard in the theatre (Dollypop would likely know the answer to that).  The overture in this production is entirely new.

I saw the original Broadway production nine times between 1967 and when it closed in December 1970. I do not recall an overture. I found it exciting to hear just a few measures of "Call on Dolly" before the curtain rose.

Subsequent revivals added an overture, I believe.

"

 

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 3/16/17 at 3:28pm

This thread is just filled with joy. Thank you all for sharing! Can't wait to see it.

[bk]

Posted: 3/16/17 at 3:43pm

I don't believe the show ever had an overture for the entirety of the Broadway run - and that's the way it works best.  

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 3/16/17 at 4:02pm

Looking into tickets for Donna's second performance, I believe. Are there any chances it will be available on todaytix or another discounted ticket app? I know it's far out and any reply will be conjecture, but if you had to make a guess. 

Updated On: 3/16/17 at 04:02 PM

[pnewelljr]

Posted: 3/16/17 at 4:35pm

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?

[Robbie2]

Posted: 3/16/17 at 4:40pm

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?

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bette_Midler

http://bettemidler.com/

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 3/16/17 at 4:41pm

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?"

They're both extremely talented women but...is this a real question?

[TNick926]

Posted: 3/16/17 at 4:42pm

Bette Midler is a world-renowned superstar.

Donna Murphy is a brilliant performer, known mostly only to Broadway audiences.

 

[Lenexajones]

Posted: 3/16/17 at 5:09pm

My Wednesday flight home was cancelled so I scored two front row seats at a tiny fraction of the cost. What a dream of a show!  Very well rehearsed and the dancers were particularly strong. I went into it thinking that DHP was miscast, but he was a delight. The only weak supporting players was Melanie (too shrill) and her boyfriend (forgettable). Taylor was a real surprise. I predict big things for him. And Bette. What can I say that hasn't already been said. She was on fire and was connected to the love in the room. One of my Broadway lifetime highlights!  

[pnewelljr]

Posted: 3/16/17 at 5:51pm

Lenexajones said: "My Wednesday flight home was cancelled so I scored two front row seats at a tiny fraction of the cost. What a dream of a show!  Very well rehearsed and the dancers were particularly strong. I went into it thinking that DHP was miscast, but he was a delight. The only weak supporting players was Melanie (too shrill) and her boyfriend (forgettable). Taylor was a real surprise. I predict big things for him. And Bette. What can I say that hasn't already been said. She was on fire and was connected to the love in the room. One of my Broadway lifetime highlights! "

Mind sharing how you scored discount tickets?

[pnewelljr]

Posted: 3/16/17 at 5:55pm

IdinaBellFoster 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?"

They're both extremely talented women but...is this a real question?"

This was very much a real question. I am a millennial, not that that is an excuse, just a fact, and I recognize her name, but I wouldn't be able to tell you anything she's done. After looking at her wiki, of course, I recognize "Wind Beneath My Wings," I guess I was just wondering why she is THAT BIG A DEAL. Not saying she isn't, I just still don't understand why, even after looking at her wiki.

For example, why isn't Sunset Boulevard as big of a deal, Glenn Close is famous, no?

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/16/17 at 6:37pm

 

She's still big. It's the musicals that have gotten small.

 

Updated On: 3/17/17 at 06:37 PM

[Dollypop]

Posted: 3/16/17 at 6:44pm

To answer one question: The overture used on the Pearl Bailey recording was never used in any theatrical version of the show. I honestly can't remember if an overture was used when Pearl revived the show a few years later. I do know that all of Channing's revivals used an overture because Jerry Herman wanted one.

[Whateverjsays]

Posted: 3/16/17 at 7:53pm

pnewelljr said: "IdinaBellFoster 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?"

They're both extremely talented women but...is this a real question?"

This was very much a real question. I am a millennial, not that that is an excuse, just a fact, and I recognize her name, but I wouldn't be able to tell you anything she's done. After looking at her wiki, of course, I recognize "Wind Beneath My Wings," I guess I was just wondering why she is THAT BIG A DEAL. Not saying she isn't, I just still don't understand why, even after looking at her wiki.

For example, why isn't Sunset Boulevard as big of a deal, Glenn Close is famous, no?

 

"

A millennial knows how to use google. Thanks for that vapid comment.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 3/16/17 at 8:08pm

Whateverjsays said: "pnewelljr said: "IdinaBellFoster 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?"

They're both extremely talented women but...is this a real question?"

This was very much a real question. I am a millennial, not that that is an excuse, just a fact, and I recognize her name, but I wouldn't be able to tell you anything she's done. After looking at her wiki, of course, I recognize "Wind Beneath My Wings," I guess I was just wondering why she is THAT BIG A DEAL. Not saying she isn't, I just still don't understand why, even after looking at her wiki.

For example, why isn't Sunset Boulevard as big of a deal, Glenn Close is famous, no?

 

"

A millennial knows how to use google. Thanks for that vapid comment."

I'm a millennial as well...and I could run off a laundry list of reasons why The Divine Miss M is an icon. 

SUNSET is proving to be a bigger deal than many thought - just take a look at the grosses. Big difference is that Bette Midler is returning to Broadway for the first time leading a musical. Not to mention a beloved musical that has only one other time been revived without Carol Channing. 

 

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 3/16/17 at 8:23pm

How's the view from the rear balcony?

[theatregoer3]

Posted: 3/16/17 at 8:37pm

pnewelljr said: "IdinaBellFoster 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?"

They're both extremely talented women but...is this a real question?"

This was very much a real question. I am a millennial, not that that is an excuse, just a fact, and I recognize her name, but I wouldn't be able to tell you anything she's done. After looking at her wiki, of course, I recognize "Wind Beneath My Wings," I guess I was just wondering why she is THAT BIG A DEAL. Not saying she isn't, I just still don't understand why, even after looking at her wiki.

For example, why isn't Sunset Boulevard as big of a deal, Glenn Close is famous, no?"

 

You may be a millennial (as am I) but you're also lazy to an insulting degree and asking us to do your homework. 

 

[JudyDenmark]

Posted: 3/16/17 at 8:53pm

I am loving the rapturous reviews - thank you all for sharing them! The wait will be agony, as my ticket is not until November. 

[bwayboy22]

Posted: 3/16/17 at 9:10pm

My friend is at tonight's performance and she said they just stopped the whole show and called for any doctors in the audience. 

[pnewelljr]

Posted: 3/16/17 at 9:13pm

theatregoer3 said: "pnewelljr said: "IdinaBellFoster 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?"

They're both extremely talented women but...is this a real question?"

This was very much a real question. I am a millennial, not that that is an excuse, just a fact, and I recognize her name, but I wouldn't be able to tell you anything she's done. After looking at her wiki, of course, I recognize "Wind Beneath My Wings," I guess I was just wondering why she is THAT BIG A DEAL. Not saying she isn't, I just still don't understand why, even after looking at her wiki.

For example, why isn't Sunset Boulevard as big of a deal, Glenn Close is famous, no?"

 

You may be a millennial (as am I) but you're also lazy to an insulting degree and asking us to do your homework."

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.

I also am sorry to other millennials if this was read as an excuse, I was merely stating that if everyone knows that Bette Midler is amazing, I might be less familiar because of my age (maybe I should know who she is regardless), I was not implying anything other than that (in hindsight, I should have just said my age).

I am obviously very confused about what is appropriate here and seem to have hit a nerve, which is the last thing I wanted to do. I will try to be more careful in the future.

Updated On: 3/16/17 at 09:13 PM

[pnewelljr]

Posted: 3/16/17 at 9:16pm

On a side note, a couple center orchestra seats popped up for tomorrow night in the $200 range. I hope everyone in the cast in crew is okay. I guess we will here more from reports.

[pnewelljr]

Posted: 3/16/17 at 9:19pm

Looks like the medical emergency was in the audience:

https://twitter.com/AnteloDrive/status/842543434313416705

Thoughts with them, hopefully they are okay.

Updated On: 3/16/17 at 09:19 PM

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 3/16/17 at 9:30pm

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!

Updated On: 3/16/17 at 09:30 PM