HELLO, DONNA! - Murphy begins performances — Page 13

Just curious if there will ever be reviews of Donna's performance. Thrilled to hear the kudos. Flew to NY from SF and only had time to seeBette...I wasn't disappointed. But would love chance to see Donna in the role. I'm so glad they didn't get a TV or B Movie star to do it.

Updated On: 7/4/17 at 07:11 AM

Dollypop said: "I love reading comments by people who have fallen in love with HELLO, DOLLY! the way I did 53 years ago.

Let me tell you a little secret: when I'm in the city to see another show, I rush over to the Shubert to see if DOLLY has let out yet. If they havain't, I wait until it does so I can see the smiles and "the Dolly Glow" as the audience comes out.



"

I think this is the most lovely, positive and life affirming post I have EVER read on here. truly wonderful thing to do to enjoy other peoples happiness.

I can tell and your loyalty to the show is amazing. I wish I was back in NYC to see this all over again. I have previously seen amateur (community) productions and two professional productions and it was like watching a whole different show altogether. I adore this show and I adore you based on your posts.

I have not seen a more perfect revival of an American classic since 2008's South Pacific.

I was there last night and this could have easily been a lackluster production that exists solely for the purpose of the star, but you can see the painstaking detail and honing of the craft being displayed on that stage. I will proudly admit that I cried multiple times at the sheer display of showmanship, including "Put on Your Sunday Clothes" and the title song, with Dolly's descent down the stairs being the ultimate diva entrance I have ever seen.

Donna Murphy was truly revelatory, and she worked hard to win the audience over. She nailed the humor, was sentimental in all the right places, and SANG THE HELL out of that score. If I'm being honest, the new cast recording with Bette left me a bit bored, as everything managed to come fully alive in the theatre more than it did on the recording. Also, as many have noted, her performance has more than a few hints of Andrea Martin in it (which made me love her more). Some mentioned David Hyde Pierce seeming miscast or bored, but I thought he was perfectly fine, since I saw Horace as a man who refuses to engage in the whimsy and nonsense around him, and insists on being the "straight" man in all of the melee. Gavin Creel blew me out of the water, especially with Taylor Trensch during "Motherhood", and Kate Baldwin is simply gorgeous and has a beautiful voice and her interplay with Beanie Feldstein (as Minnie Fay - a gem in her own right) was a highlight.

Go see Donna. There is ZERO chance you will be disappointed and you will leave feeling like you are glowing and walking on air.

Stage Door: A well-controlled but wonderful affair. Donna, Gavin Creel, Kate Baldwin, and Beanie Feldstein all came out, signed and took pictures. David Hyde Pierce also came out and signed, but the security informed us of the "Pictures OF, But Not WITH" rule, and he was warm and friendly with everyone. A few select ensemble signed as well.

I do not post here often anymore, but can't not add to all the kudos for the show and for Donna Murphy. I saw the show tonight, and want to see how I feel about it in a couple of days, but will tentatively say it's the greatest thing I've ever seen. The joy pouring out of that stage and that orchestra pit, matched with the extreme appreciation & joy being fed right back at it from the audience is a thing of beauty, and so needed right now!
Murphy is ruling the show from the get-go, but lets the other leads shine, and boy do they shine! Gavin, Taylor, Kate, and Beanie are all sensational, but Donna! O Donna! The humor, The understanding of the comedy, the movement, singing, the optional notes, she made me laugh, she made me cry, and I was rooting for her from the get-go. For some reason, watching her gnaw on that turkey leg was one of the best things I've ever seen.

I could go on and on, but much has already been said and I don't want to repeat. Do not hesitate for a second to see the show without Bette. I would see this again and again and again. I think the biggest compliment I can give the show, is that I texted someone at intermission saying that we as an audience, don't even deserve act two, as act one was worth every penny.

Every. Damn. Penny.
I'm still floating.

Princeton78: I was there too last night, my 5th time- 2 with Bette and 3 with Donna. You wrote exactly what I feel for this show and production. I love both ladies in it. Last night I splurged and spent full regular price and was in the 1st row center Orchestra! I could have stayed all night as Judy G. once said! In fact, I'm planning to set up a cot in the downstairs lobby and live at the Shubert.

I have $99 balcony tickets to a Bette performance in mid-September, but when I saw front row center orchestra seats for $109 this past weekend for a rare Sunday evening performance with Donna Murphy I could not resist. The show is amazing piece of theater that stands on its own with Bette Midler or Donna Murphy in the lease. Having said that, I thought Donna was exceptional. Donna was so good I didn’t care that it wasn’t watching Bette Midler up there. In fact, I find it hard to believe Bette can be any better in the role of Dolly Levi. I know everyone wants to say they were able to see Hello Dolly! with Bette Midler, but if you want better value for your money and what I believe is the better performance, people should really check out Donna Murphy in Hello Dolly! A bonus was seeing Ben Platt and Christine Ebersole at the Hello Dolly! Stage door after the show.

What a show! My first time seeing Dolly was last night, and I can assuredly say most everyone was on their A game. Donna was purely delightful, she was a very entertaining Dolly with her own sort of personality. I'm wary of seeing it with Bette now! Kate and Beanie were perfect. I can't imagine anyone more fitting for their roles, they had perfect comedic timing. Of course David and Taylor were stars as well (the hat shop scene was comedy gold). But I was disappointed when seeing that Gavin Creel was out; I had been wanting to see the show with him almost primarily. His u/s was decent, but I noticed his voice was very odd. He didn't hold notes for very long, even his acting was a bit rushed (especially in songs/scenes that needed drawn-out lines or emotion). Can't say I wasn't dissatisfied with not seeing Gavin, but the whole production was just as wonderful either way.

Buffalo Bill said: "
Every once in awhile a performer "steals the show." Historically it's usually not been the leading player. It's usually some unsung hero who's been slogging away, unnoticed for years, who suddenly has a breakthrough moment on stage, and their careers and lives are forever changed. Tuesday August 1st, however, was different. On that night, Donna Murphy stole "Hello Dolly" away from Carol, Pearl, Barbra, and Bette (among many others) and kept stealing, singing, dancing, meddling, clowning and mugging right at us from the stage with sheer delight. Get a cheap seat now, sit back and relax, Donna's got this one covered. So Long Dearie, Before the Parade passes by, Put on Your Sunday Clothes and Just Leave Everything to Me! Uh, Dolly. Uh, Donna!



"

"Just Leave Everything To Me" isn't in this revival. You must be thinking of "I Put My Hand In"

I've said it here before, Ethel Merman was my first Dolly as an 11-year old and it will remain my favorite. (plus you got to hear 2 cut songs for Merman which were terrific). This production brings back such great memories, with Bette or Donna, it's party time at the Shubert now.

GeorgeandDot said: "Does anyone know if they have a Donna Murphy window card?



"

When I saw the show in July, I asked and the answer was "No". I would have loved to buy one with Donna's name on it.

There's a bunch of $39 tickets on TodayTix for Donna perfomances. Great deal!

I have been curious about this too. It must be at least the minimum of course, which I think would still be pretty generous for one show.