HELLO, DONNA! - Murphy begins performances — Page 4

1.people are stupid

2. No one needs to relax, people want to hear the truth of her performance...no o e said ANYTHING out of line.

This is a brilliant production with room at the top for two extraordinary women. It's a joy to read everyone's take on Donna's debut.

I really enjoyed Donna's performance. She plays Dolly like a real woman rather than a cartoony caricature- which btw I believe to be an equally valid way to play the role. I thought she absolutely slayed Before the Parade Passes By. Definitely had some tears in my eyes. This is a woman who desperately wants these things and isn't afraid to show a little bit of the vulnerable and sadness she's had to endure since Ephraim's death. She doesn't merely want to rejoin the human race, but rather she needs to.

So Long Dearie was a true joy and Donna has turned it into a genuine 11 O'Clock showstopper. This might be blasphemy to some, but my favorite version of Dearie is Streisand's from the film and Donna really gave it that oomph that I love so much.

Sure, there are a few spots where she's find her footing, but it was a great debut and a credit to the writing that this role can be played successfully so many ways. I would kill to see Donna give an Actor's Fund performance where she plays Dolly as Fosca. And while that might finally put After Eight in the grave, Dolly does go after Horace with the same laser point focus that Fosca chases after Giorgio. They could even add the scene on the train after Sunday Clothes where Dolly finds Horace and sings Loving You, ha!

As for the rest of the cast, I haven't been back since the first preview and wow! DHP is truly a treasure. I really was rooting for Andy Karl to win Best Actor, but now I might have been swayed to vote for DHP instead. Horace is so often the second banana to Dolly, but he makes Horace such a fascinating and lovable guy in his own right. So much humor.

The quartet of lovers were more over the top, but not in a distracting way. They've found more laughs and Kate's voice! That final note of Ribbons Down My Back! She floated that thing forever.

What a joy. I hope Donna is just one of many Broadway divas we get to see take on the role in this revival. I'll be there for every one!

thanks whizzermarvin

im seeing donna end of month and your always nuanced and expert reviews are greatly appreciated

It's still intriguing that the production chose a beloved singing actor who doesn't have any of the elements of the Midler Dolly in her wheelhouse. She can play comedy, of course, and well. She's droll and knocked out "Wonderful Town" by tossing out the Roz Russell playbook. But she's a drier, cooler wit, nothing like Midler, in size and temperament, which means the Zaks staging has to accommodate a temperamentally different presence. That's what fascinates, how she folds into a show that's built like a well-oiled machine around a particular flavor or grand diva performance. Murphy works (at times masterfully) within an entirely different tradition, and while it's valid, the show around her is a different animal. And how they all work to serve this Dolly has to be worth discussing. Any more thoughts?

Updated On: 6/13/17 at 11:19 PM

I saw it tonight from the 2nd row sandwiched between Terrance McNally and Marin Mazzie and Jason Darnley. During intermission, Jennifer Westfeld came over and chatted with them. Scott Rudin stood behind the orchestra seats at the railing the whole time. Donna's final bows were filmed and she was given a large bouquet of flowers.

I disagree about the last posters observations. I believe that Murphy was able to manage the staging quite well. Having seen it with Bette, the thought never entered my mind that the choreography, staging or direction was out of place for Donna. The show fit her like a glove or Vic versa. She exuded a certain sexiness and charm that alluded Bette. Not to belabor the point, but her age has a ton to do with it. Donna being 58 is an incredibly real Dolly. Her interpretation works. Her voice is top notch. Donna made a few flubs, jumbling up some words and dropping some props. Those beets went everywhere but Horace's plate! She was very gracious at the stage door signing playbills and taking pictures with everyone.

I can't wait to return on the 27th! I really hope her performance is recorded somehow. It deserves to be.

What was the marquee outside the theatre like? Did it still have Bette's name in lights?

evic said: "I cried when Elena Roger was out in Evita the night I saw it."

Why?! You were given a blessing!

broadwayTX said: "What was the marquee outside the theatre like? Did it still have Bette's name in lights?



"

of course

ugh i am hoping against hope that they may record some of Donna's tracks. i haven't heard that gorgeous voice sing anything new in 6 years! i may be in town on the 27th so i may see her but still it would be wonderful to have a Donna EP or something along those lines

Looking forward to seeing Donna on July 5. My daughter especially wants to see a Dolly that can "sing." As mesmerized as she was with Bette's electrifying performance, she was disappointed in her singing. Up until this production, she had only seen the Dolly movie and of course she loved Barbra's voice, especially during Hello, Dolly with Louis. So this will be a fun contrast. Until this production with Bette,the last Dolly I saw was Klea Blackhurst at Goodspeed and she knocked it out of the park, especially during the solo dining scene while the court was waiting for her. So we're both pumped.

As for people being confused about Donna/Bette being in the show, I have a couple thoughts about this other than simply "people are stupid," which may be true in some cases. If people bought tickets from a purveyor other than Telecharge, disclosure may not have been clear. I keep tabs on TripAdvisor and there are a number of visitors from other countries who buy theater tickets and consistently overpay (i.e, Broadway,com. They see the name and think it is the way to go) and unfortunately they have no in depth knowledge of what they are getting. Also, when some people hear Donna Murphy is in the show, they aren't hearing Bette is NOT in the show. They don't know who Donna Murphy is and that she is Bette's replacement.

I'm interested in the reasons people are giving at the the theater for being confused.

"If people bought tickets from a purveyor other than Telecharge, disclosure may not have been clear."



I heard that described by several people at last evening's performance.

Updated On: 6/14/17 at 09:22 AM

WhizzerMarvin "...the flowers she received were almost bigger than she is! "

I saw the video, as well as the video of the TWO huge bouquets Bette got her opening performance. I don't know why producers do this to actors, giving them these oversized objects. So awkward to hold, especially when there are a couple more bows to do. They look silly. Yes, I understand they are a gift and who doesn't like to receive a token of appreciation. But why not present a bouquet a bit smaller and easier to handle so the actor can revel in the applause and not worry about maneuvering around stage with a bouquet as big as themselves...especially with that final Dolly costume and hat which seemed to be given Donna some trouble.