Official Bernadette Peters in Hello, Dolly! performances thread — Page 13

I had the pleasure of returning to this glorious production, and it never disappoints. Dolly! is pure joy beyond words.

I suppose I'll get my one negative comment out of the way: Molly Griggs is totally forgettable as Minnie Fay. Which is fine, I mean, it's not like Minnie is a pivotal character or anything. But Beanie Feldstein was just so freaking funny. When Beanie was off stage, I kept wanting her back on it. It's noticeable how much less laughter Griggs draws (with the exception of always-hilarious "Thank you!," after Kate Baldwin's entrance applause). Hopefully she'll develop in the role, but she just didn't even get close to the same kind of hysterical reception as Beanie.

Onto the rest. Right now, Bernadette is a great Dolly, and I think she can become a fantastic Dolly. But there is room for her to grow. She looks and sounds wonderful (with the exceptions of a few noticeable vocal slip-ups in Act 1). I was amazed at how effortlessly she moves on that stage at 69! As I predicted, she nailed Dolly's more emotional, internal moments, especially when speaking to Ephraim. However, I think she's still finding her footing in capturing Dolly's spirit and vivaciousness. Part of what made Bette and Donna so perfect is how clearly their Dollys had the world wrapped around their little fingers. They oozed charisma. You got why Harmonia Gardens was flipping out upon news of her return. Bernadette's Dolly isn't 100% there yet. To be sure, she's very funny—the entire hat shop scene and her eating solo were comedy gold. qolbinau highlighted some of her best moments: especially the "you're killing me" line, and the "ripple ripple ripple" lines. But I felt she misstepped a few moments, like putting an odd inflection on a line, or realizing that a gesture she made was getting laughs—and then repeating the gesture just one too many times. She's definitely still fleshing out the comedic timing of the role, which I completely understand, but for a role like Dolly Levi, I expected more innate charm.

Same goes for Victor, whom I ADORE, but I didn't think gave Horace any nuance beyond being a cranky old man. He made me appreciate what DHP did in the role, which isn't what you want to have on your mind when you're seeing his successor.

Gavin and Kate are still giving unbelievably fresh, brilliant performances. I mean, they are really just on fire. They almost sound TOO good together. And Jennifer Simard makes me cry-laugh every time! Charlie Stemp is a sensational Barnaby. He brings more of a polish to the role than Trensch (who I thought was so endearing in an odd way), and is just fabulous. The guy is beyond talented.

I'll be checking in on this thread over the next few weeks to see how Bernadette and Victor evolve. Like ColorTheHours048 wrote, I kind of wish I waited a little longer before I returned, but this show is just so good that I'm still floating.

I'm definitely waiting before I buy tickets. I asked a while back on this board if Victor Garber had the comedic chops for this role because I had only seen him in dramas. Of course, I was belittled by someone for even asking this, but others explained that from what they had seen of him he could do comedy. So, I'm hoping he can pull it together. In the first matinee preview, David Hyde Pierce was still grappling with the character, by June he had nailed it. Hoping the same for Victor.

Updated On: 1/27/18 at 06:44 AM

Caught this last night. It's an entirely different experience than seeing it with Bette and DHP, which felt more like some rock concert/mega event due to Bette's headlining status. With Bernadette, it felt more like the theatrical event it was meant to be. I couldn't help but think of her as being the next in line of theatrical legends finally getting the chance to walk down the stairs in the red dress, and shed certainly doesn't disappoint. While the other reports are correct in that she's about 95% of the way there (still the occasional line flub/working out the little comedy kinks), this is very much returning back to her musical comedy roots. Her private moments with Ephraim are beautifully nuanced and never over the top, and she has an absolute ball with the silly comedic moments (her bit with the ripple ripple ripple was the funniest thing I've seen her do since some of her deadpan Witch moments).

Put me in the camp that thinks Victor Garber was far better than DHP. I think he and Bernadette play off each other better, whereas Bette more or less ate DHP alive with her presence.

The rest of the cast and production is wonderful as always and it's still a knockout of an evening. It's remarkable to me that I'm able to reach the same emotional core from something as sheerly joyful as Hello Dolly as I am with, say, Sunday in the Park with George which are two completely different animals. You really can't help but tear up with happiness when that train comes on in Sunday Clothes, or the entirety of the title song.

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Updated On: 1/27/18 at 12:49 PM

musikman said: "Caught this last night. It's an entirely different experience than seeing it with Bette and DHP, which felt more like some rock concert/mega event due to Bette's headlining status. With Bernadette, it felt more like the theatrical event it was meant to be. "

Dolly with Bette was one of the most glorious THEATRICAL EVENT experiences I have ever witnessed in my 50 plus years of New York theater going. It was THE theatrical event it was "meant to be" as this entire production was brought about for Bette.. I am excited to see Bernadette once she has settled in and I am hoping it is also a wonderful theatrical experience for me. Looking forward to even more Dollys to come. Glad you had fun.

Updated On: 1/27/18 at 03:03 PM

Question: Is there actually a "preview" period for the cast replacements? Does anyone know if the production will be reviewed again and when that will be? Thanks!

Heard the show is sold-out this weekend... Friday > Sunday! Great for all of them especially Bernadette!

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Updated On: 1/27/18 at 07:15 PM

Are they doing the $47 rush seats like they did for Donna's shows?

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Good idea, CT2NYC! Thx!

$89? You'll likely get better seats for the same cost if you go to TKTS for a weekday performance.

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I just posted this in the "Bernadette Rush" thread, but I figured I'd post it here too since people seem to be using this thread more....

I rushed this morning. Keep in mind, today is Sunday, so the box office opened at noon. I got there at 7:30am and was 2nd in line. First person got there at 7:15. The person behind me didn't get there until about 8. People trickled in pretty slowly, until about 9:30-10, when more people started arriving. By noon there were about 20 people in line total. All in all, not as bad as I was expecting. When the box office opened, they sold $39 rush seats in the rear balcony (supposedly partial view). I asked if they had SRO and he said "not yet, you'll have to check back later" so I went ahead and bought the balcony ticket. I didn't wait to see how many people got in, but it seems to me that the three of us who arrived between 7 and 8 probably got there earlier than we needed to. But again, keep in mind that it might be different on regular days when the box-office opens at 10.

I'm going to have to agree with bwayphreak234 a bit here. Now, I have no point of comparison as I didn't see Bette nor Donna - this was my first time seeing the show, and don't get me wrong I very much enjoyed it. However, it's very obvious that Bernadette Peters is still figuring out the role. During some of the comedic bits with her, I was just begging for the gag to be over (e.g. the trial scene). Her timing is not quite up to par, and she's pushing so hard that the laughs seemed forced. She still seems a little timid in the role, hence the lack of stage presence. It's during her quiet moments with Ephraim that she shines. I wish the funny parts were just as good. I'm rooting for her, and hope that with time and some direction she'll find a performance to match the prestige of her name.

Molly Griggs was another that I hope will make the role her own with time. The comedy didn't work with her spotlight moments. Victor Garber was enjoyable, not a standout but he did the job. I'm confident that he'll hone his performance by "opening." Gavin Creel and Kate Baldwin are just brilliant - Gavin Creel plays to the entire house and exudes so much energy. They've got it down and I'm so glad I got to finally see their performances.

Now: Charlie Stemp. He is a DELIGHT. His rapport with Gavin Creel seems so natural - you would never know he was a replacement. His dancing, physical comedy, and charm are pitch perfect. He was very sweet at the stage door and said he's loving Broadway so far. I look forward to seeing where his career takes him here.

Updated On: 1/28/18 at 07:03 PM

I’m all for a Me and My Girl revival staring Charlie Stemp!!!

Updated On: 1/28/18 at 08:10 PM