Would love to hear someone perform "So Long, Dearie" with the arrangement Barbra Streisand does in the film. As someone who saw the film first before a production, I adore the film's arrangement, and anything else is so slow (for me).
"Ok ok ok ok ok ok ok. Have you guys heard about fidget spinners!?" ~Patti LuPone
I'm finding Jennifer Simard is quite hilarious as Erenstina each time, too.
"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
I did last night. Kate, Charlie, and Gavin came out.
Last night’s show was so interesting. During the first act the set got stuck mid rotation. Kate and Molly were on it but they handled the situation like pros. The show was held for a few moments and then it got turning again. They also held the show at intermission due to “technical difficulties”. We could here drilling and hammering so I’m assuming this was due to the rotation issue earlier. No further technical issues in the second act. Bernadette sounded a bit under the weather but was incredible nonetheless. She had the audience eating out of the palm of her hand all night. I personally thought Victor seemed very comfortable in his role. I thought he nailed it.
Dollypop said: "....and I remember when Angela Lansbury replaced Constance Towers in THE KING AND I for three weeks. She invited the critics in on her very first performance and was letter perfect
I was there during her brief run ! Oh she was indeed beautiful .
qolbinau said: "I'm finding Jennifer Simard is quite hilarious as Erenstina each time, too."
I REALLY want her to push her Bernadette Peters impression one of these days. Maybe as a joke to let Horace see Dolly's the best for him? Good God that'd be glorious!
Caption: Every so often there was a rare moment of perfect balance when I soared above him.
Valentina3 said: "qolbinau said: "I'm finding Jennifer Simard is quite hilarious as Erenstina each time, too."
I REALLY want her to push her Bernadette Peters impression one of these days. Maybe as a joke to let Horace see Dolly's the best for him? Good God that'd be glorious!"
I could see her doing that on Simard's closing night, or Bernadette's.
"Ok ok ok ok ok ok ok. Have you guys heard about fidget spinners!?" ~Patti LuPone
Ok this is the last I’ll report given I probably won’t have a chance to see the show again - but a much more energetic audience tonight. The show is just lovely. Feels so high energy from beginning to end. Garber has become a real highlight now I think. Bernadette only coughed once and seems even funnier. Occasional rough vocals but overall sounding great where it matters. It’s hard to imagine anyone could have a bad time at this show.
As much as I genuinely love shows that make you walk out a little upset and/or reflecting on life woes (Follies; Bridges of Madison County; The Band’s Visit; Once; The Visit), there is something to be said about a show that is just absolutely joyous, fun and funny. Someone please re-record the cast recording with Bernadette. PLEASE. This historic occasion should not be forgotten.
Andrea Martin was at the show with Daniel Levy. Find it comical/nostalgic/nice to think the person who parodied Bernadette decades ago (if I recall correctly) has come by to watch the master at work.
The world is full of such wonderful things.
"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
I was also there tonight. I agree that Victor Garber has definitely improved from the reports from Saturday. He was funny and didn't notice any mess ups or jitters. Bernadette Peters was a delight. I did notice in act 1 there were a few minor vocal problems, but I was wondering if it was because she had a cold or something. But, she was a riot. Tonight in the eating scene she dabbed some gravy on her neck like perfume. I can't remember if Donna Murphy also did that or it was ad-libbed to what she wanted to do. Also loved Charlie Stemp I think the weak link is Molly Griggs. She wasn't terrible, but kind of forgettable after seeing and remembering what Beanie Feldstein did.
"I don't want the pretty lights to come and get me."-Homecoming 2005
"You can't pray away the gay."-Callie Torres on Grey's Anatomy.
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Qolbinau wrote: "As much as I genuinely love shows that make you walk out a little upset and/or reflecting on life woes (Follies; Bridges of Madison County; The Band’s Visit; Once; The Visit), there is something to be said about a show that is just absolutely joyous, fun and funny."
There's a lot to be said about that kind of show. Too bad we have to go back fifty years to find them.
"The world is full of such wonderful things."
Yes indeed: the moon, the stars, the robins in spring, ice cream, the musicals of yesteryear. But as far as today's theatre is concerned, wonderful is in short supply --- thanks to the shows you mentioned, and others of their sorry ilk. I wish we could just snap our fingers and make the whole miserable lot of them disappear, to be replaced forever and always by musicals like Hello, Dolly!
I was at the show on Tuesday night and while I wept from beginning to end (this was my first time experiencing Dolly, live or otherwise), I feel like folks are viewing this experience through rose-colored glasses a bit. Bernadette is charming at the moment, and her diva status certainly carries weight, but she desperately needs more rehearsal. What’s more, Victor needs rehearsal, which is baffling given how much more Dolly has to do. Yes, his “Penny in My Pocket” is his high point, but who cares when his performance until then doesn’t command wanting more stage time.
All that being said, what a GLORIOUS production. From top to bottom. The ensemble and orchestra sound remarkable, Gavin and Kate are superb, and the new Barnaby and Minnie Fay are excellent. Am I glad I saw it? 100% yes. Do I wish I had waited another week or so to let the actors settle? Yes, I do.
Last night all the main cast - Bernadette, Garber, Gavin, Kate seemed to fumble slightly at least once but quickly recovered. When Bernadette was doing the “money, money, money” monologue I also wondered whether she was doing it a bit slower to help her remember the lines. So I definitely take your point that there is still some time needed to settle in.
At the same time it’s hard not to ignore that so much work has been put into her performance to examine every moment and find a line delivery, facial expression or body movement to wrench as many laughs from the audience as possible. If I look at the hat shop scene, for example, there were many highlights. The way she transitions from excited/nervous to deliver a very deadpan “you’re killing me”. The Garber/Bernadette head turns towards/away from each other. The protection of the cupboard door such as the “ripple ripple ripple ripple” lines, the vocal expression pretending to be outraged and the hilarious very prolonged silence after Cornelius sneezes and she looks a little confused about how to proceed, going to talk then stopping at least twice - finally after keeping the audience on edge for so long tentatively proclaims “bless you”.
Her status does add to the experience - when she is walking with an umbrella (or should I say parasol rather) in “put on your Sunday clothes” it’s hard not to be reminded of the past. When she says the word “Folly” it also brings back memories. And when she is walking down those stairs and she is saying it’s good to be back where she belongs of course it feels like they could be talking about either the character or just herself. There is something novel about repeating a leading role with the same team that started to lead to her break out (Mack & Mabel).
But what I love - and hopefully I’m not wrong - is that there is enough substance in her performance. Enough comedy. Enough vulnerability. Enough voice (and most important a unique voice to keep it interesting) so that even the uninitiated will still have a good time and recommend the show to others.
"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
Please, please, please....someone give me hope that they’ll release a replacement EP. We can’t let this performance go unrecorded as “A Little Night Music” did.
They/them.
"Get up the nerve to be all you deserve to be."
qolbinau said: "Last night all the main cast - Bernadette, Garber, Gavin, Kate seemed to fumble slightly at least once but quickly recovered. When Bernadette was doing the “money, money, money” monologue I also wondered whether she was doing it a bit slower to help her remember the lines. So I definitely take your point that there is still some time neededto settle in.
At the same time it’s hard not to ignore that so much work has been put into her performance to examine every moment and find a line delivery, facial expression or body movement to wrench as many laughs from the audience as possible. If I look at the hat shop scene, for example, there were many highlights. The way she transitions from excited/nervous to deliver a very deadpan “you’rekilling me”. The Garber/Bernadette head turns towards/away from each other. The protection of the cupboard door such as the “ripple ripple ripple ripple” lines, the vocal expression pretending to be outraged and the hilarious very prolonged silence after Cornelius sneezes and she looks a little confused about how to proceed, going to talk then stopping at least twice - finally after keeping the audience on edge for so long tentativelyproclaims “bless you”.
Her status does add to the experience - when she is walking with an umbrella (or should I say parasol rather) in “put on your Sunday clothes” it’s hard not to be reminded of the past. When she says the word “Folly” it also brings back memories. And when she is walking down those stairs and she is saying it’s good to be back where she belongs of course it feels like they could be talking about either the character or just herself. There is something novel about repeating a leading role with the same team that started to lead to her break out (Mack & Mabel).
But what I love - and hopefully I’m not wrong - is that there is enough substance in her performance. Enough comedy. Enough vulnerability. Enough voice (and most important a unique voice to keep it interesting) so that even the uninitiated will still have a good time and recommend the show to others."
Golbinau Thank you for all your exciting posts...We can't wait to see DOLLY again of course this time with Peters-Garber-Stemp. We'll be there next Friday!
Take Advantage of the 2for1 Broadway Week tickets till Feb 4, as we got great seats center orchestra row G!
So this was my first experience seeing Hello Dolly and I thought Bernadette was superb. Her comedic delivery was amazing, and she just embodied Dolly. I thought Gavin Creel and Kate Baldwin were phenomenal, and their performances left me wishing they had more songs. I cant wait to see what other work they do in the future. I do wish they would record Bernadette as Dolly, maybe as an EP like some suggested.
Peters and Garber not doing stage door at this point shouldn't be surprising. They are finding their stride in performance, getting notes, and still having rehearsals. On top of that, the flu is so rampant it's literally front page news in the Times. Why would they stand out in the coldest days of winter and expose themselves to a lot of strangers' germs? They've got a job to do 8 times a week, and that has to take precedence.
Exactly...and why should they as this point while they are in previews. They need to rest and go right home and yes the FLU is rampant in NYC...everyone is sick!!!
The time will come when they stage door and greet fans after the show!
"Anything you do, let it it come from you--then it will be new."
Sunday in the Park with George