HELLO, DOLLY! Sets August 25 Closing Date; Bette Midler to Return July 17 — Page 2

haterobics said: "Clyde15 said: "Any idea why this show is closing? It seems weird when it is still consistently grossing +1mil a week"

Couldn't get a big enough name to continue after Bernadette?"

I'm guessing whatever name they had lined up after Peters fell through. Maybe they'll just let the u/s alt the 8th show?

According to the article on BWW, Gavin is returning on May 8th.



ETA: didn’t see LesWickedly’s post as it was lost in the page turn.

Updated On: 4/20/18 at 07:10 AM

I can actually see this being strategic on Rudin's part. Tickets for Bette's run go sale next Saturday at 10am. We all know that they will likely be gone by noon. Then he can start advertising that seeing the show now is your last chance to see it, as the final 6 weeks are sold out. Just a thought.

And closing in late August gives them just enough time to re-purpose some of the costumes and other stuff for the tour, and just long enough for some/all of the ensemblists to transition directly into the Production contract tour, if they want to keep working on the show.

I saw Bette three times, Donna seven and Bernadette twice (once more on July 15th). I have no interest in seeing Bette again. She was great all three times I saw her but I enjoyed Donna and Bernadette much more. It's been a great show and had a fantastic run! This show brings so much joy to everyone it touches!

Wow. I am shocked.

willrolandsframes said: "This doesn’t make any sense whatsoever. The show has most certainly recouped and I’d presume it’s achieving much more than simply “meeting it’s nut” each week.

If anything, this wreaks of Rudin schemery."



I'm not surprised at this closing announcement. I passed by TKTS three Fridays ago and "Hello Dolly" was available. Moreover, it was during the spring break period, and only two hours before show time.

You have to put yourself in the mind of Scott Rudin, and you also have to read the tea leaves.

1. He was not going to parade a bunch of people through this. From the beginning it was all about the star and not the show. (And there was a reason for that.)

2. Peters offered a unique opportunity. She also lost half the money. Someone else would cause a further hit, and then the show would limp to an unceremonious closing.

3. As has been said above, Midler's return will sell out immediately. That then puts Peters right back where she was demand-wise.

4. Rudin made the announcement on the night of the MFL reviews. That was not a coincidence; it's pure Rudin: NB he has a reason not to be nice to MFL. (Which has likely just rained on his parade, if you will excuse the mixed metaphor.)

It's very easy for us to say it should have run longer with a litany of great older actresses....well, either those same actresses aren't interested, and/or Rudin felt he couldn't afford them. (Especially if they JUST re-couped as Liza stated.

Really good revivals usually last between a year and 18 months. (Obviously, Chicago can't be in included in that "average".)

While I loved the show (and Donna was my favorite) I'm going to be glad it was, instead of bemoan it's end.

First off, wow. There was a lot of missed potential for our enjoyment, but I guess this makes some sense business wise.

I'm not experienced in this, so how much will tickets go on sale for? Since this is obviously going to be a high demand event, will the prices start higher, or is it just a matter of getting them before they go? Thanks.