Imelda Staunton Hello, Dolly starts tonight!- Page 2

[binau]

Posted: 7/7/24 at 5:29am

It actually did cross my mind that it looked a little like watching a Judi Dench Hello, Dolly. Or at one point I thought (perhaps too many wines in) that it almost felt like a Queen Elizabeth camp tribute to her since Staunton played the Queen recently. "Hello, Lizzie.....well hello Lizzie....".

Overall, on more reflection I think I am pretty satisfied with Staunton's performance to be honest and even the unusual/darker choices for her character. And the title song does already feel a little iconic. It is something new. So I can't say I'm disappointed there but there is something about the broader production that just doesn't hit on all cylinders like the previous Broadway revival. 

Jenna Russell is indeed too old for the role - not because she can't sing it (although Kate Baldwin's voice was so spectacular that it doesn't quite resonate the same). But mainly because it just felt a bit unrealistic to imagine her and Cornelius together. Felt a little cougar-esque.

 

[Midnight Radio]

Posted: 7/7/24 at 7:41am

I am acquaintances with one of her UK theatre peers and had been hearing from her for a while that Imelda had been set on finding the 'darkness' in Dolly.

It sounds very much like fighting the source material to me, but these initial reports track with what I had been hearing.

[MrsSallyAdams]

Posted: 7/7/24 at 8:15am

I believe the line "and if you tell anyone I told you this, I’ll tell them what both liars you are" is from the source play. Shirley Booth delivered lines like this sarcastically in the 1958 film.

Betty Buckley's Dolly tour was a bit dark because she seemed so frail. Buckley was recovering from illness and her Dolly didn't seem to have much time left. 

I imagine Staunton delivering "So Long Dearie" as though she planned to gut Horace like a fish.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 7/7/24 at 12:36pm

Just a question, so don't beat me up if you disagree strongly: But doesn't an older Irene raise the stakes and the poignancy? This is a story of two successful businesswomen who have made period-specific sacrifices to hold onto agency. They had no vote, likely had trouble with banks and small business startups (unmarried American woman got credit cards in their names in the 1970s; seriously, not unrelated). These are fascinating contemporary issues. Irene wearing ribbons down her back at 50ish is actually very touching. These women are peers and want another shot at what's seemingly denied them.  

[Kad]

Posted: 7/7/24 at 12:45pm

Also, Irene is a widow, like Dolly. I don’t believe the show explores that in much detail, but I don’t think playing up the similar circumstances is necessarily a bad idea or one that isn’t supported by the text. 
 

However, the show itself is more of a romantic farce than anything else- trying to pin down its dramaturgy to that level seems a little beside the point. 

[binau]

Posted: 7/7/24 at 1:04pm

The main problem with Jenna Russell is that simply she just looks too old next to the actor playing Cornelius. In terms of the character itself and the issues you raise I think it works and if anything you're right - she's a widow, it raises the stakes etc. it's the pairing that doesn't work not the individual character. 

Overall, out of many of the supporting characters though I think Jenna Russell fares well anyway though. I would prioritise the issues discussed earlier around Horace being so mean and also Cornelius' voice (which is pleasant but not spectacular in the way Gavin Creel was) before worrying too much.

Sorry to already move on and dream of something else but I really want to see someone like Casey Nicholaw tackle this with Patti LuPone in the next 5 years. That kind of thing might be more competitive with the 2017 revival.  

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/7/24 at 1:09pm

Unfortunately, Herman put a stop to Patti's revival with Jack O'brien because he felt she was "too ethnic."
It doesn't sound like she has any desire to lead a big Broadway musical production anymore. Updated On: 7/7/24 at 01:09 PM

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 7/7/24 at 1:11pm

He wasn’t okay with Patti but he was fine with Pearl Bailey doing it?

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/7/24 at 1:15pm

From what I remember, Herman originally suggested Patti as a possibility for the role, then once a revival was being planned with Jack O'Brien, he changed his mind. The "too ethnic" reasoning sounded like a cop out, He likely wanted a Gower Champion re-creation like the Zaks production largely was. Midler was and is certainly "ethnic."

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/7/24 at 1:21pm

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/LuPone-Revival-of-HELLO-DOLLY-Hits-Snag-20110320

This article also mentions that Herman didn't want "new concepts" from O'Brien. Updated On: 7/7/24 at 01:21 PM

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 7/10/24 at 2:44pm

Article on the production by Baz Bamigboye

[FANtomFollies]

Posted: 7/10/24 at 2:53pm

Interesting that she apparently sang the title song in the traditional red dress during rehearsal but people have reported she now wears a green one. I wonder why the change?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/10/24 at 6:38pm

Saw this again tonight and what a difference 4 days makes. It’s like she, Nyman and Russell are giving totally different (for the better) performances. Imelda is now leaning into the humor more instead of the sadness. Nyman has significantly taken the meanness down into a more “curmudgeon” personality and Russell has done away with the anger her Irene had. With all of that it was a much much better show and even a joy to watch. 

[Musicaldudepeter]

Posted: 7/10/24 at 7:06pm

delete 

Updated On: 12/31/99 at 07:06 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/10/24 at 7:09pm

It’s a different production than the Broadway one, entirely. And again seeing it the first night I didn’t enjoy it too much. But tonight, I enjoyed it much more. So they’re working on it. 

[MBFan]

Posted: 7/11/24 at 2:39pm

She was okay in a show we saw her in in London awhile ago but so unpleasant at the stage door. We just politely asked if she would please sign the playbill and she said, "Will I?!" and then went and sat in her car for half an hour. Should we have said, "May you please...?" "If it pleases your grace would you please...?" If you're tired and just don't want to, just say, "Sorry, I can't." Don't be rude. We were polite and kind; we're not monsters, we're fans. Maybe she didn't like our American accents??

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/11/24 at 3:40pm

Last night she stayed and signed for everyone waiting for her and was lovely. She said she wouldn’t do photos but signed for all who asked and chatted while she did. 

[noradesmond]

Posted: 7/11/24 at 6:52pm

MrsSallyAdams said: "I believe the line "and if you tell anyone Itold you this, I’ll tell them what both liars you are" is from the source play. Shirley Booth delivered lines like thissarcastically in the 1958 film.

Betty Buckley's Dolly tour was a bit dark because she seemed so frail. Buckley was recovering from illness and her Dolly didn't seem to have much time left.

I imagine Staunton delivering "So Long Dearie" as though she planned to gut Horace like a fish."

The line about "and if you tell anybody" is also in the "Dolly" movie. Streisand says that to Cornelius and Barnaby then slams the trap door down on them. 

[JAS]

Posted: 7/12/24 at 11:08am

Oh, no! I wrote her a letter after seeing her in Entertaining Mr Sloane, and received a charming note and signed photo. 
 Flash forward to Gypsy: met her at the stage door, and she was delightful.

Maybe it was just a bad day!

[Auggie27]

Posted: 7/12/24 at 1:59pm

I'm in that sliver of the theatergoing public that doesn't find stagedoor behavior Exhibit A in measuring an actor's generosity of spirit or even attitude toward a fan base. We live in a post-Covid world, and intimate contact with anyone is a personal decision. But even before the pandemic, pausing at a stage door is not required to serve a show or embrace its admirers. Terse, perfunctory exchanges can happen when actors have reason to rush on. They do, as everyone does leaving a workplace. (And let's remember: that's what it is.) They're not obligated to do anything but the performance. After 20 years on this site, I'm still baffled by the sense of entitlement that infects otherwise normie theater audience members. 

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 7/15/24 at 11:10am

 

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/20/24 at 6:51pm

Critics Pick from The NY Times. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/19/theater/hello-dolly-imelda-staunton.html

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 7/20/24 at 7:12pm

“ Don't be rude. We were polite and kind; we're not monsters, we're fans. Maybe she didn't like our American accents??”

Insane comment on your end. What’s not clickin that you’re the problem. 

[ManOfLaMuncha]

Posted: 7/20/24 at 8:42pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va2FIX1N05Q

oops, I see someone posted this two messages above me~

Sorry for the repeat!

Updated On: 7/20/24 at 08:42 PM

[TheatreMonkey]

Posted: 7/20/24 at 11:25pm

ManOfLaMuncha said: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va2FIX1N05Q

oops, I see someone posted this two messages above me~

Sorry for the repeat!"

Yes...but some might prefer to reply to your post. ;-)

That's a classy curtain call! Fully choreographed, wonderful build-up, and major props to giving the orchestra the very last bow (on the button, no less.)