OFFICIAL - Bernadette To Replace Bette!
OFFICIAL - Bernadette To Replace Bette!
#1OFFICIAL - Bernadette To Replace Bette!
Posted: 7/4/17 at 8:04pm
Y'all know I report on things when I hear them from good sources. This is by no means official and just a little nugget I heard this afternoon that I thought I'd pass along.
Edit - I'm hearing this is official now.
CurtainPullDowner
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/4/04
WaffleOnWheels
Stand-by Joined: 6/2/17
#3Bernadette To Replace Bette?
Posted: 7/4/17 at 8:09pm
Not gonna lie, I would totally spend too much money on tickets to that.
#4Bernadette To Replace Bette?
Posted: 7/4/17 at 8:16pm
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"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
GeorgeandDot
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/13/16
UncleCharlie
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/26/16
#6Bernadette To Replace Bette?
Posted: 7/4/17 at 8:49pm
I'd go to see her read the phonebook. So, uh, yeah, that would work.
#7Bernadette To Replace Bette?
Posted: 7/4/17 at 8:56pm
I wonder if Bernadette would be their first choice.
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
#8Bernadette To Replace Bette?
Posted: 7/4/17 at 8:59pm
I remember this came up a few months ago.
I wouldn't mind this at all!
JBC3
Broadway Star Joined: 4/9/17
#10Bernadette To Replace Bette?
Posted: 7/4/17 at 9:18pm
She could sing this score in her sleep. She would likely sing some optional notes like Donna.
Rumpelstiltskin
Broadway Star Joined: 4/22/07
GeorgeandDot
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/13/16
#12Bernadette To Replace Bette?
Posted: 7/4/17 at 9:36pm
JBC3 said: "This works.
How has her voice been of late?"
I saw her recently and she sounded fantastic. She'll sound glorious as Dolly.
UncleCharlie
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/26/16
#13Bernadette To Replace Bette?
Posted: 7/4/17 at 9:42pm
Rumpelstiltskin said: "Her audition was indeed impressive.
That's brilliant. "Stop texting. Are you texting?"
nasty_khakis
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/15/07
#14Bernadette To Replace Bette?
Posted: 7/4/17 at 9:57pm
She'd be an insanely GREAT Dolly, but...she'd not be up to the ticket sales level of Bette.I could see Bernadette doing the role for a few months as a place holder for a bigger name.
Now before anyone tells me Bernadette is a big name she didn't sell out Gypsy in that same theatre or sell our the Kerr for Night Music. Supposedly Rudin is only sending out feelers to major stars on the level of Reba and Cher and is holding off on "Broadway" names so far. I've also heard they're trying to get Bette back after a few months rest and away from NYC winter. So really, I'd say only Rudin's office knows the truth.
#15Bernadette To Replace Bette?
Posted: 7/4/17 at 10:25pm
Rumpelstiltskin said: "Her audition was indeed impressive.
"
That video is amazing!!
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
#16Bernadette To Replace Bette?
Posted: 7/4/17 at 11:09pm
Feb/March tends to be slow in ticket sales on Bway so hopefully having Bernadette as Dolly will be able to sell tickets if she does indeed replace Bette.
#17Bernadette To Replace Bette?
Posted: 7/4/17 at 11:41pm
Bernadette is not a broad. Dolly is a broad.
Bernadette has technique and tricks and most of her voice - so there's that. She would certainly be as entertaining as Streisand was in the film. But she doesn't have the warmth or chutzpah to pull off Dolly Force-Of-Nature Gallagher Levi.
What Peters does well is vulnerable. She can break my heart in the right role.
But I didn't believe her as Annie Oakley. I didn't believe her as Madam Rose. I really doubt I would pay to see her Kewpie Dolly.
Just my opinion.
#18Bernadette To Replace Bette?
Posted: 7/4/17 at 11:54pm
I highly doubt there's any truth to this. Jerry Herman himself has said publicly that he loves Bernadette but doesn't really see her as Dolly (for what it's worth, I'd agree.)
As others have said, they're going to need a blockbuster Hollywood star to justify the expense of continuing to run. If Rudin isn't able to land someone like Reba or Queen Latifah, I would expect him to close the show riding high with Bette.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#19Bernadette To Replace Bette?
Posted: 7/4/17 at 11:59pm
Hmmm. I actually think she's more appropriate for Dolly than Annie, Rose, Desiree, or Sally, and I really enjoyed her as Desiree and Sally.
Dolly needs to portray some sadness and vulnerability, and Bernadette would certainly nail those moments.
#20Bernadette To Replace Bette?
Posted: 7/5/17 at 12:15am
This is such a lovely production with such a strong cast from top to bottom that I would hate to see it close when Bette leaves in January.
Hey this might be totally pie in the sky but could Barbra do a limited engagement? She still does live concerts. And she has a huge fanbase.
#21Bernadette To Replace Bette?
Posted: 7/5/17 at 12:38am
Bernadette can do two things well: vulnerability and broad larger-than-life comedy. The role is perfect for her. She didn't quite have the classical/dramatic acting skills or voice to make her Rose as effective as Patti's (though of course I still enjoyed her performance), but Dolly is a frivolous musical comedy with some vulnerable moments. It's Bernadette's bread and butter.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
Updated On: 7/5/17 at 12:38 AM
RippedMan
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/14/05
#22Bernadette To Replace Bette?
Posted: 7/5/17 at 1:00am
I don't think she's my "diva" of choice, but I'd still see her do this.
and yes, that drag queen was NAILING it.
#23Bernadette To Replace Bette?
Posted: 7/5/17 at 1:14am
RippedMan said: "I don't think she's my "diva" of choice, but I'd still see her do this.
and yes, that drag queen was NAILING it."
Oh, dear.
#24Bernadette To Replace Bette?
Posted: 7/5/17 at 1:19am
Well I know she has seen the show- there is vid on YouTube of her leaving out the stage door with Bette
Darreyl with an L!
trpguyy
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/25/05
#25Bernadette To Replace Bette?
Posted: 7/5/17 at 1:41am
It's unfortunate that Vicki Lewis doesn't have the name recognition that she deserves, because her Dolly is absolutely incredible. I'd love to see her in this production, but I don't think it's in the cards.
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