HELLO, DOLLY! Reviews — Page 6

Lets just hope these reviews can sustain the production past Ms Midler's contract.

djoko84 said: "Public User said: "Did anyone really expect a fair review from a newspaper owned by Rupert Murdoch? He is pouring millions into bolstering our very own Agent Orange, and Bette is one of his most vociferous critics. Mystery solved.



"

This is one of the dumbest statements on here. There's no "conspiracy." The NY Post is owned by the Murdochs and they it was absolutely glowing towards her:

http://nypost.com/2017/04/20/hello-dolly-proves-bette-midlers-genius/



Perhaps not Murdoch driven, but I think Public User might be on to something. Teachout has famously allowed his own arch conservative political views to find their way into his own reviews and commentary, including his ridiculous criticism of President Obama coming to New York on the taxpayer's dime to see a Broadway show. David Cote has called him out on his bias more than once, including here:



David Cote versus Terry Teachout



I had forgotten that Bette Midler has been one of Trump's loudest critics, which could explain why Teachout went after the show with the zeal of a YouTube commenter. Of course, my feeling about that zeal is that he simply enjoys inflicting that kind of abuse, like a parent who smiles as he beats the crap out of his child and insists that it is nothing more than discipline. It seems that when he has an agenda (political or otherwise), the WSJ review is posted early. (I'm pretty sure his reviews of Wildhorn shows have always been posted early.) That's just part of the pathology of Terry Teachout.

Updated On: 4/22/17 at 10:11 AM

What does it take to get some opening night pictures (red carpet, bows and party) up on this board?!

"The only ones who need to lighten up are the ones who were starting to plummet into a meltdown over one controversial review. You knew the rest would be super, just as we all knew when Bette announced her casting as Dolly that she was the shoo-in for the Tony, as would the production be. Bette's involvement was going to secure this production with the brightest and best of Broadway. As I said, there was no need to worry, folks. It got the reviews we all knew it would."

Exactly, this was a lock for great reviews. A beloved musical with a star who was born to play the role. Add David Hyde Pierce in the mix and I really don't get the concern.

>I'm not expecting much from Brantley unless his occasional diva worship gives into the charms of Midler. Reviewing the last Channing revival, he was very smug and condescending about the show itself and damned the actual production with faint praise. I'd love to be surprised.<

Vincent Canby reviewed that production. Brantley didn't become the chief critic until 1996.

Not to mention, the 90s revival was a TERRIBLE production and Channing did not come off well at all. From that Teachout review, it sounds as though he must not have seen it and probably doesn't even care for the show in the first place.

LesWickedly said: "http://www.didhelikeit.com/shows/hello-dolly-review.html

Did He Like It is updated. So annoying that WSJ is included in the final consensus."

This is why I miss StageGrade.com. But at least BroadwayWorld has a really good reviews section.

somethingwicked said: "

"

It is likely because the final lines of Matt Windman's review for AmNY review are:

"Beginning in June, Donna Murphy (“Wonderful Town&rdquo will play Dolly once a week, and I’m willing to bet that she will be fabulous. And if the revival keeps going after Midler’s contract expires, can you imagine who else could play Dolly? From Queen Latifah to Patti LuPone, the possibilities are tantalizing."

Yes, Latifah was Jerry Herman's first choice for a revival for years (he's said as much publicly.) She expressed hesitancy about eight shows a week, much like Bette did when she was approached in the past.

She's a series regular on a TV show for FOX so I'm not quite sure how available she is, but she would certainly be stellar in the role.

Updated On: 4/21/17 at 11:43 AM

Kad said: "Was there not discussion about a Latifah-led revival a while ago."

I believe that Queen Latifah, along with Kristin Chenoweth were the top choices to play Dolly for this very revival before Bette Midler was chosen. I know that there was a proposed revival with Jack O'Brian to direct and Patti LuPone to star as Dolly, but Jerry Herman rejected it because it was going to differ wildly from the original production.

A treasured star is right back where she belongs



Bette Midler returns to Broadway in her first musical role in 50 years, headlining opposite David Hyde Pierce in a sumptuous revival of the classic Jerry Herman musical.

Updated On: 4/21/17 at 12:33 PM

I am sure this might have been asked already but does anyone know the length of Bette Midler's contract for Hello Dolly? I have tickets for Sep 22 that I purchased when I was in New York in Jan. thanks

Will3700 said: "I am sure this might have been asked already but does anyone know the length of Bette Midler's contract for Hello Dolly? I have tickets for Sep 22 that I purchased when I was in New York in Jan. thanks"

From Telecharge: *On Tuesdays** beginning June 13, 2017, the role of Dolly Levi will be played by Donna Murphy. Donna Murphy will also perform the role of Dolly Levi on June 27 - July 2, July 5 - 9, Sunday evening - July 30, September 6 - 10, Sunday evening - October 15, Monday evening - October 30, November 1 - 5, Friday - November 24 @ 2pm, and Sunday evening - January 7.

** Bette Midler will perform the role of Dolly Levi on Tuesday - November 21.