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.
Posted: 7/5/17 at 1:52am
It occurs to me that the obvious replacement for Bette would be Liza. Followed by Patti. Then Andrea Martin.
Posted: 7/5/17 at 2:36am
It's basically crazy to think that with the buzz surrounding this revival, Rudin won't at least ATTEMPT to keep the show runnign with as many different divas (Hollywood or Broadway) as possible. It is impossible for me to think that this show dies with Bette's departure. Personally, I would love to see Bernadette's take on the role - and Patti is obvious, once War Paint closes when her and Christine's contract ends. With War Paint, Patti showed 2 things: 1) her voice is in tip-top shape (I imagine transpositions a la Mary Martin and the Merm will be in order) and 2) she holds major sway at the box office - with middling reviews and few Tony noms, there is a REASON War Pint is still running, and making a good nut every week.
Barbra would probably do it, but only for such an obscene amount of money that Rudin wouldn't comply. But think of all the divas that could take on the role: Cher, Reba, Marin Mazzie, Audra McDonald, Christine Ebersole - maybe even my beloved Mary Testa could take on the role at some point.
Posted: 7/5/17 at 3:07am
Dolly is a tired old war horse with nostalgic appeal for a limited audience.
Sure there are ticket sales for a favourite 'insert' but if it's made a profit, quit and move on.
And that comment re Liza-----that was a joke, wasn't it?
Posted: 7/5/17 at 5:36am
poisonivy2 said: "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.
Barbra said she would never do the Broadway schedule again. The amount of money she brings in at concert one of these huge venues is nowhere near what they could afford to pay her in a much smaller theater. Would she sell tickets? Yes. I would definitely go see the show again with her in it but I don't think that would happen. She just made a lot of money in her tour last year so I don't think she would do it for the $.
"
Posted: 7/5/17 at 6:08am
Cher would sell tickets. Diana Ross has the stamina.
Posted: 7/5/17 at 7:41am
qolbinau said: "SJEJEBEBEHSUDHEBEHEDJDJDB
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Is there a doctor in the house? This person is having a stroke!
Posted: 7/5/17 at 7:59am
I was told Queen Latifah is their first choice, from a producer in the show.
Posted: 7/5/17 at 8:28am
When seeing Donna, I kept thinking how wonderful Bernadette would be as Dolly. I also later that evening heard this same rumor that talks are occurring between Bernadette and Rudin. Idk about official offers...
Posted: 7/5/17 at 8:33am
Latifah is no Pearl Bailey. Now, if they got Beyonce... (just as probable as Barbra).
Posted: 7/5/17 at 8:49am
If the theater gods are listening, there will be a succession of fabulous women taking over the role in short term stints.
Posted: 7/5/17 at 8:52am
If Rudin wants Bette level success he has to go top drawer A-list icon-Cher, Barbra, Dolly, Celine, Diana Ross, etc. A Broadway name would be wonderful, but it won't sell out the show-Bernadette, Patti, Marin, Christine, etc. would be impeccable but there would have to be discounts to keep people coming. Unless you do 6 week runs with with various ladies to create a sense of urgency, I think numbers will initially be great, but will drop quickly.
Posted: 7/5/17 at 9:05am
Bernadette would be amazing, but she wouldn't sell tickets. Her last couple Broadway outings were respectable but far from blockbusters. And this production of DOLLY seems to need a blockbuster star on par with Bette to really rake in the dough. I doubt we'll see it--something tells me that a truly big name, the kind that would be needed to keep this train on the tracks, wouldn't want to be a replacement in a production that was basically created for Bette Midler.
Posted: 7/5/17 at 9:13am
If the Cher Musical ends up happening next season, I have a hard time seeing Cher doing Dolly
Posted: 7/5/17 at 9:18am
Cher would be wonderful. She wants to do theatre again. However, she has that Vegas residency now.
Posted: 7/5/17 at 9:30am
I think Miley Cyrus is the obvious choice....
Posted: 7/5/17 at 10:21am
I'll say it again. If there is a replacement for "Dolly," she needs to be Kristin Chenoweth (if she isn't busy starring in "Soapdish" in the West End..
Updated On: 7/5/17 at 10:21 AM
Posted: 7/5/17 at 10:22am
Can definitely see Queen Latifah. Without stereotyping, she'll definitely retain the gay audience and perhaps also bring in more of an African-American crowd. Sure, she isn't Bette, but who is?!
I think this is just a perfect storm for Bette. Really can't think of anyone that can do the singing/acting/comedy all to such a high and well-known level. Plus she broke through on Broadway in Fiddler and has the history of playing in the New York bathhouses at the beginning of her career, the 'back where she belongs' thing works really well.
Posted: 7/5/17 at 10:38am
What's with all the suggestions of theater amateurs? Sure, they could sell tickets, but can they deliver the goods in the Shubert? Dolly requires chops. Being able to act is nice, but you damn well better know how to do "bits" and play with the audience.
Posted: 7/5/17 at 10:51am
CallMeAl2 said: "What's with all the suggestions of theater amateurs? Sure, they could sell tickets, but can they deliver the goods in the Shubert? Dolly requires chops. Being able to act is nice, but you damn well better know how to do "bits" and play with the audience.
"
Uhhhhhh...Cher, Dolly Parton, Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, etc: NOT amateurs. Skilled live performers who've been maintaining grueling concert/performance schedules for years and damn well know how to work an audience. Streisand started in theater and Cher has been on Broadway. And Bette only recently returned to stage acting after a nearly 50-year hiatus, if you're not counting her concerts. Also, Cher and Barbra are Oscar winners and Diana Ross is an Oscar nominee, so I have no idea where these questions about ability to act come from.
I don't think any of the high-profile women mentioned on this thread will be the next Dolly, but calling them amateurs is patently ridiculous.
Updated On: 7/5/17 at 10:51 AM
Posted: 7/5/17 at 10:52am
Why is it so important to "rake" in the dough? With a cast this huge, their weekly cost is on the higher end, but surely they can get around that amount because of show's name factor alone. Whatever box-office bonus Bette's contract gives her might not apply to some of the theater divas mentioned here. They don't HAVE to make over 2 million every week to stay open. Why can't some of the replacement cast members be there because they're good for the part and not necessarily box office giants? That being said, there are definitely other parts which can be stunt-cast, to get folks lining up. I hope this show stays open for a long time and we get all the Dollys we deserve.
Posted: 7/5/17 at 10:55am
Why is it so important to "rake" in the dough?
Because commercial theater is a business.
Why can't some of the replacement cast members be there because they're good for the part and not necessarily box office giants?
No one is saying that all replacement cast members have to be huge stars. The people shelling out $1000/ticket probably don't care who's playing Irene Molloy. But it's frankly naive to think that the show wouldn't experience a huge drop if they replaced the biggest star on Broadway with someone not of the same stature.
Posted: 7/5/17 at 10:55am
Maybe Latifah will replace Bette & Bernie will take the show on tour?
Posted: 7/5/17 at 11:12am
When I saw Dolly, I only thought Bette 'acted' (as in actually tried to become Dolly) in a couple of scenes. Which is what I wanted. The role is definitely 'Bette Midler as Dolly' - which is exactly what I wanted from it. This is not exactly a role coveted by great stage thespians, and nor should it be. I don't think an actress should disappear into Dolly as one would Blanche DuBois or Mary Tyrone, or even Mrs Lovett or Mama Rose. There needs to be some sort of idiosyncratic spark which lets the audience know that they're in on it. And because Bernadette doesn't have her own 'persona' so to speak in the way that Bette, Queen Latifah, Cher, Barbra and Dolly P do (and even, to an extent, Patti), it doesn't seem like a natural fit to me.
