HELLO, DONNA! - Murphy begins performances - Page 5

[lucillefrank]

Posted: 6/14/17 at 10:33am

I was there last night and it was one of the greatest nights of my life. I love both Bette and Donna and I can't compare them because I will always be partial to Donna. Her monologue before Before the Parade Passes By killed me. She and Kate Baldwin are so wonderful together. She's just truly LIVING up there. She's Hot Dolly.

[JennH]

Posted: 6/14/17 at 10:41am

I won't lie, as much as I love Bette, for some reason I couldn't care less about seeing this with her but I'm also not a fan of Hello Dolly in general, but when I heard Donna was going to be the alternate Dolly, that's who I said would get me to see it. 

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Posted: 6/14/17 at 1:12pm

Thanks for all the reports!

[BillyG3]

Posted: 6/14/17 at 2:14pm

Where can I see the video of Donna's curtain call?

Why are there absolutely no photos of her at all?  

Interesting...

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 6/14/17 at 2:20pm

From Page 3 of this thread:

A video of her first curtain call: 

https://twitter.com/ssabinamamedova/status/874808114272493568

Updated On: 6/14/17 at 02:20 PM

[Robbie2]

Posted: 6/14/17 at 3:36pm

[Robbie2]

Posted: 6/14/17 at 3:37pm

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 6/14/17 at 7:06pm

These reactions are incredible. I am seeing Murphy in the role the week of July 4th during Midler's vacation and just can't wait. Seeing her as Dolly Levi will be a dream come true.

[CallMeAl2]

Posted: 6/14/17 at 9:07pm

Re: People shocked at Bette Midler's absence

I'm sure the Shubert and Telecharge are doing everything possible to let people know what they are buying, but many people get tickets from brokers, Stubhub, their travel agent, or the concierge at their hotel. Unless there is only one distribution outlet, there is no way to control getting the correct information out to everybody. People will, unfortunately, continue to be shocked.

[MissAnneThrop]

Posted: 6/14/17 at 9:37pm

anyone have an extra playbill from last night they would part with?

[carnzee]

Posted: 6/14/17 at 9:56pm

For Donna's performances in Stubhub, before purchasing you must click a box saying you understand that Donna will be on. Good for them. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 6/14/17 at 10:06pm

Plus, the Shubert has various of those DONNA MURPHY IS HELLO, DOLLY! TONIGHT stand-up boards placed at various spots outside of the theatre so they're impossible to miss.  

[binau]

Posted: 6/14/17 at 10:08pm

The little Donna Murphy signs are cute. Really nice for her that she was given this opportunity. And nice for theatre fans.

Updated On: 6/14/17 at 10:08 PM

[Robbie2]

Posted: 6/14/17 at 11:37pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "Plus, the Shubert has various of those DONNA MURPHY IS HELLO, DOLLY! TONIGHT stand-up boards placed at various spots outside of the theatre so they're impossible to miss.  

 

"

they were up 10am on Tuesday

[binau]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 12:09am

Fascinating. This is going to happen again and again I think - even if you buy tickets through the official channels I'm guessing some people just don't pay attention while buying. I do hope the producers show some goodwill and offer refunds for the disappointed/mistaken people.

[carnzee]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 12:09am

PThespian said: "I can tell you last night was a nightmare for the staff. 

Two House Managers and someone from Theater Operations were there to help deal with the angry patrons. 

Apparently one patron in particular got frighteningly angry. 

The Box Office was dealing with it all day. 

Plus Rudin was there which always increases the stress level. 

I worked the show once. That was enough for me. Never again. 

 

"

I understand why Tuesday was rough, but what why don't you want to work there again? I would think it would be a joy, at least every now and then. 

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 12:13am

I heard a few people grousing as well. 

I will say: Scott Rudin can be a bit much, but I thought  printing a separate playbill for Donna Murphy was pure class. 

[Callum_brown1]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 12:19am

Well, yes, I can imagine the Old Money types requesting tickets to Hello Dolly for their assistant to find and they end up getting sent on a Tuesday! No Christmas bonus for them!

[carnzee]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 12:33am

PThespian said: "carnzee said: "PThespian said: "I can tell you last night was a nightmare for the staff. 



Enforcing the policies Rudin has in place is extremely difficult. Dealing with disgruntled patrons is the worst part of ushering. 

One usher was already physically assaulted. I don't care to be next. 

 

Is his "no seating after the start of the show " rule actually enforced? I guess that's the most difficult one. I know he doesn't allow bottles either .

[bear88]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 2:18am

Pthespian wrote: Enforcing the policies Rudin has in place is extremely difficult. Dealing with disgruntled patrons is the worst part of ushering.

OK, now I'm curious. Dealing with disgruntled patrons would be miserable, and I imagine some people were surprised not to be seeing Bette Midler because they got their tickets outside normal channels or had someone else order them or thought they were getting a bargain.

But at a normal performance, with Midler, what's the biggest issue in terms of difficult policies to enforce? 

And is a Hello, Dolly show more likely to be an unpleasant one to work?

[Unknown User]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 2:35am

I keep thinking of the scene in Seinfeld at the theatre when her understudy goes in instead of her ... "what, no Bette Midler?"

 

I'm so glad Murphy is getting her own playbill and positive audience reviews - she deserves it!

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 3:35am

I thought Rudin had a no late seating policy that was strictly enforced, but around 10 people were seated in the balcony at the start of It Takes a Woman. It was VERY distracting and ruined my concentration. 

I do feel for the ushers having to enforce his rules, but as an audience member I love that he's making an effort to put a lid on bad audience behavior. 

[MoveOnGypsy]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 7:12am

I am quite surprised the number of people I spoke to at the performance on Tuesday that had no idea about Donna as Dolly. I guess people don't read or look around them. The theater made it quite clear that Donna was on. In speaking to these people, they decided to stay and they were glad they did. I cannot believe that people were physically assaulted because of it. 

I cannot speak more highly of Donna's performance than I already have. I cannot wait wait to go back on the 27th! 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 8:01am

Jed2 said: "I keep thinking of the scene in Seinfeld at the theatre when her understudy goes in instead of her ... "what, no Bette Midler?"

 

I'm so glad Murphy is getting her own playbill and positive audience reviews - she deserves it!

 

"

Rochelle, Rochelle!

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 9:35am

There is an audio on tumblr of the title song - she sounds TERRIFIC! A much more exciting vocal performance than Bette. I just saw the show yesterday with Bette (LOVED it!), but now I want to go back to see Donna.