OFFICIAL - Bernadette To Replace Bette!

[Jordan Catalano]

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. 

Updated On: 9/5/17 at 08:04 PM

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 7/4/17 at 8:08pm

I'd like that.

[WaffleOnWheels]

Posted: 7/4/17 at 8:09pm

Not gonna lie, I would totally spend too much money on tickets to that.

[binau]

Posted: 7/4/17 at 8:16pm

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[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 7/4/17 at 8:36pm

O MY YES PLEASE

[UncleCharlie]

Posted: 7/4/17 at 8:49pm

I'd go to see her read the phonebook. So, uh, yeah, that would work.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 7/4/17 at 8:56pm

I wonder if Bernadette would be their first choice.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/4/17 at 8:59pm

I remember this came up a few months ago. 

I wouldn't mind this at all! 

[JBC3]

Posted: 7/4/17 at 9:12pm

This works.
How has her voice been of late?

[ljay889]

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]

Posted: 7/4/17 at 9:27pm

Her audition was indeed impressive.

[GeorgeandDot]

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]

Posted: 7/4/17 at 9:42pm

Rumpelstiltskin said: "Her audition was indeed impressive.

 

That's brilliant. "Stop texting. Are you texting?"

 

[nasty_khakis]

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.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 7/4/17 at 10:25pm

Rumpelstiltskin said: "Her audition was indeed impressive.

 

"

That video is amazing!! 

[Wick3]

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. 

 

[CallMeAl2]

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.

Updated On: 7/4/17 at 11:41 PM

[somethingwicked]

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.

[ljay889]

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. 
 

Updated On: 7/4/17 at 11:59 PM

[poisonivy2]

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. 

[binau]

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. 

Updated On: 7/5/17 at 12:38 AM

[RippedMan]

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.

[TotallyEffed]

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.

 

[darreyl102]

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

[trpguyy]

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.