Posted: 7/2/17 at 11:05pm
Wanted to chime in.
I saw Bette as Dolly twice... once in previews, and once shortly after opening. I returned today to see Donna (couldn't resist the discount from TodayTix with no fees).
The show remains an absolute delight. The ensemble is amazing, and it is hard to not smile for the entire 2 hours and 40 minutes.
Donna Murphy was absolutely amazing. She sang very well (as expected), but looked stunning in those costumes. Her comedy was also great... at times her comedy style reminded me of Andrea Martin (a compliment, in my opinion). While I love love loved Bette... I did not miss her today. The production thrives with a different leading lady. During intermission I was daydreaming of all the other amazing people they should/could bring in for short stints. I would certainly return for each new actress.
It was sad to see so many empty seats in the Mezz (for act one anyway), especially compared to the SRO crowds I experienced with Bette... but it seemed that everyone in the theatre fell in love with Donna's Dolly.
I do have to mention that multiple people in the line to go in were saying they had no idea Bette wouldn't be in... and when I asked them where they got their tickets- they said directly from Telecharge. I don't understand how anyone could possibly miss the disclaimers... but they did.
