Official Bernadette Peters in Hello, Dolly! performances thread- Page 16

[faceleg]

Posted: 2/6/18 at 8:50pm

I saw the matinee on Feb 3 and absolutely loved it! I'd only seen the movie so I didn't know how funny the show actually was. And most especially how hilarious Bernadette was! And she sounded wonderful. Her Parade was glorious. The whole show is wonderful and I'm so glad I went!

[SmokeyLady]

Posted: 2/6/18 at 9:45pm

haterobics said: "Jarethan said: "As someone who was a tad disappointed by Bette's performance -- specifically, at what I perceived as a 'phone in' during the musical numbers, at a performance I saw just after she returned from vacation -- I am absolutely shocked that there is not more demand for tickets so immediately after Bette's exit."

We told you this was a minority opinion when you originally stated it, though, so not sure why you're continually surprised when it is confirmed as such..."

 

Yeah dude.  You keep repeating the same thing and it is kind stupid.  I love Bernadette and I love Donna and so many others.  But Bette is a international recording and movie star.  And if you didn't know that then all you had to do was google.  Of course box office is going to drop.  It was expected and not shocking at all.  Hopefully good producers know how to keep the show running so that many can see this wonderful show.  Also;  I have been told that both the actors equity lounge and the NYU student union had comps available for tonights performance.  Folks in the city with access should take advantage.

 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 2/6/18 at 9:50pm

After Eight said: "Jarethan's wrote: "I am absolutely shocked that there is not more demand for tickets so immediately after Bette's exit. Aclassic, well-loved musical in a highly acclaimed new production, starring a well-know performer who would seem perfect for the role."



I am not shocked in the least. Let's face it: what is there in Hello, Dolly! that is going to appeal to those who think things like Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, Book of Mormon, Waitress, etc. are great musicals?"

I loved Hamilton and Evan Hansen...still loved Dolly and think it is the most joyous show in many seasons.

[After Eight]

Posted: 2/7/18 at 9:35am

Jarethan wrote: "I loved Hamilton and Evan Hansen...still loved Dolly and think it is the most joyous show in many seasons."

Do you think  that young people today have the slightest interest in going to see Hello, Dolly!, given all the other entertainment choices at their disposal? (And I am not referring to the theatre buffs on this board. )  Let's hope there are enough tourists of a certain age to keep the show going.

Updated On: 2/7/18 at 09:35 AM

[dollyfan]

Posted: 2/7/18 at 10:21am

I am a young person and I LOVE Hello, Dolly. I've seen it with Bette and David and it was fabulous and I can't wait to see it with Bernadette and Victor!

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 2/7/18 at 10:35am

After Eight said: "Jarethan wrote:"I loved Hamilton and Evan Hansen...still loved Dolly and think it is the most joyous show in many seasons."

Do you thinkthat young people todaythey have the slightest interest in going to seeHello, Dolly!, given all the other entertainment choices at their disposal? (And I am not referring to the theatre buffs on this board. )Let's hope there are enough tourists of a certain age to keep the showgoing."

I have to agree with After Eight on this. While I think that most younger people would enjoy HELLO, DOLLY! if they gave it a chance, it's difficult to get them through the door. The show is unapologetically old-fashioned, and it probably wouldn't appeal to the demographic that only wants to see what's "hip" at the moment, especially now that Bette has left.

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 2/7/18 at 1:30pm

Not only is HELLO DOLLY old-fashioned today; hell, it was old-fashioned in 1964 when it premiered! For fans of the show, of course that's part of its attraction. 

As for young'un's tastes today, I understand that a current movie musical set in the 1890's is enjoying wide success-- THE GREATEST SHOWMAN has taken in $291M worldwide so far, due in large part to the attendance of young fans. (As an oldster, I frankly hated the movie, but that just proves my point.) No doubt a savvier ad campaign targeted to music video tastes could get the kids in the Shubert Theater doors too, though that's not what DOLLY is currently getting.

Updated On: 2/7/18 at 01:30 PM

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 2/7/18 at 1:50pm

It might have been mentioned before, but do we know when Bernadette's contract ends? Wanting to see her in August but I think I heard she's leaving before then. Anyone know?

[scampsweep]

Posted: 2/7/18 at 1:59pm

CindersGolightly said: "It might have been mentioned before, but do we know when Bernadette's contract ends? Wanting to see her in August but I think I heard she's leaving before then. Anyone know?"

I think that if the show is still running (hopefully), then Bernadette would still be there. I imagine if the run continues, she’d be there for a year. The bigger question, unfortunately,  is whether it will still be running in August  

[newintown]

Posted: 2/7/18 at 2:03pm

She's on a standard six-month, so probably out in late June/early July.

[binau]

Posted: 2/7/18 at 2:32pm

When someone makes a generalisation such as suggesting young people don't like Hello Dolly - of course it can't account for everyone's individual experience (that would be far too complex and impractical). But at a group level, and looking at broad trends - it is probably not only true but also completely reasonable to make. The point of making generalisations is to simplify and gain understanding of broad trends. Saying that "you are a young person and like Hello, Dolly" does not make the claim any less true that the average age going into Dear Evan Hansen and Hello, Dolly are likely very different - and could be in part of the reason why Dolly might struggle to find an audience in 2018 without a superstar. 

The differences between The Greatest Showman and Hello, Dolly are irreconcilable. Yes, they might be both set in the past but unless the Dolly producers can get Hugh Jackman to replace Victor Garber and replace most of the score with very accessible pop tunes, there is nothing to learn from this adventure ("This Is Me", among others from the Soundtrack, are currently charting in the general population. That is a remarkable achievement that could only be explained in my opinion by the style/accessibility/broad appeal, in my opinion.) 

Assuming telecharge is transparent about open seats well into the future (I'm not convinced they are - I wonder if they deliberately hide orchestra availability to increase premium ticket sales) Dolly might actually pick up once the slow period is over. But things do look slightly challenging at the moment. 

 

Updated On: 2/7/18 at 02:32 PM

[After Eight]

Posted: 2/7/18 at 2:45pm

SomeoneinaTree2:

"Not only is HELLO DOLLY old-fashioned today; hell, it was old-fashioned in 1964 when it premiered!"

 

It was? Well, that's news to me, and I saw it in 1964.

Are you saying that any period piece is automatically old-fashioned? If so, I'm not buying.

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 2/7/18 at 3:08pm

I would just like to say that I have noticed a spike in ininterest for this show among young people after Bernadette Peters' casting. A lot of young people really look up to her because of the PBS recordings of Sunday in the Park with George, but mostly, Into the Woods, which is a common high school musical. She's a common musical theatre idol among teens and young adults, in a way that Bette Midler wasn't really.

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 2/7/18 at 3:15pm

GeorgeandDot said: "I would just like to say that I have noticed a spike in ininterest for this show among young people after Bernadette Peters' casting. A lot of young people really look up to her because of the PBS recordings of Sunday in the Park with George, but mostly, Into the Woods, which is a common high school musical. She's a common musical theatre idol among teens and young adults, in a way that Bette Midler wasn't really."

Now who you callin' common, you self-indulgent, self-absorbed nonprofessional?

[SmokeyLady]

Posted: 2/7/18 at 3:16pm

GeorgeandDot said: "I would just like to say that I have noticed a spike in ininterest for this show among young people after Bernadette Peters' casting. A lot of young people really look up to her because of the PBS recordings of Sunday in the Park with George, but mostly, Into the Woods, which is a common high school musical. She's a common musical theatre idol among teens and young adults, in a way that Bette Midler wasn't really."

That is a very small demographic among young people.  Non that would translate into any kind of meaningful ticket sales.  Bette's audience was older and didn't mind shelling out big bucks to see her.  Bernadette's audience is generally also older and probably buy their tickets at a heavy discount.

Updated On: 2/7/18 at 03:16 PM

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 2/7/18 at 3:23pm

Wtf. I was literally just chimming into a conversation saying that young people aren't interested in Hello, Dolly! I disagree, saying that Bernadette Peters is a bit more familiar in their age ranges. I didn't say anything about ticket prices. They're all buying the cheap tickets anyway. Bette is a superstar and will bring in the big bucks, but a lot of young people are less familiar with her work (as the response to her Tony win on Twitter showed). I'm noticing more young people taking interest in Bernadette is all.

Also, Totallyeffed, I am a professional. I'm happy that as a young person you've been exposed to the brilliance that is Bette Midler, but I guarantee to you that many of your peers don't really know who she is, unfortunately. There's no reason for personal attacks like that. This board has become remarkably nasty lately.

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 2/7/18 at 3:28pm

Btw, I think i just realized that you're suggesting that I find Bernadette Peters "common." Which is hilarious since she's always been my favorite Broadway diva since I was ridiculously young and before she even became a Sondheim leading lady. I meant that more young people are familiar with Peters because of her Sondheim performances which can be found on youtube.

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 2/7/18 at 3:47pm

My daughter, 29, has no interest in seeing Bernadette in this role. She saw Bette and Donna. Preferred Donna, loves Barbra.

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 2/7/18 at 3:49pm

I'm speaking of people 20 or younger.

[SmokeyLady]

Posted: 2/7/18 at 4:00pm

GeorgeandDot said: "Wtf. I was literally just chimming into a conversation saying that young people aren't interested in Hello, Dolly! I disagree, saying that Bernadette Peters is a bit more familiar in their age ranges. I didn't say anything about ticket prices. They're all buying the cheap tickets anyway. Bette is a superstar and will bring in the big bucks, but a lot of young people are less familiar with her work (as the response to her Tony win on Twitter showed). I'm noticing more young people taking interest in Bernadette is all.

Also, Totallyeffed, I am a professional. I'm happy that as a young person you've been exposed to the brilliance that is Bette Midler, but I guarantee to you that many of your peers don't really know who she is, unfortunately. There's no reason for personal attacks like that. This board has become remarkably nasty lately."

 

Relax.  No one was attacking you.  I was just trying to make sense of what you were trying say.   

[haterobics]

Posted: 2/7/18 at 4:04pm

CindersGolightly said: "It might have been mentioned before, but do we know when Bernadette's contract ends? Wanting to see her in August but I think I heard she's leaving before then. Anyone know?"

As of right now, there is no one announced as (or tickets available to purchase for) Dolly beyond mid-July.

[binau]

Posted: 2/7/18 at 4:47pm

SmokeyLady said: "GeorgeandDot said: "I would just like to say that I have noticed a spike in ininterest for this show among young people after Bernadette Peters' casting. A lot of young people really look up to her because of the PBS recordings of Sunday in the Park with George, but mostly, Into the Woods, which is a common high school musical. She's a common musical theatre idol among teens and young adults, in a way that Bette Midler wasn't really."

That is a very small demographic among young people. Non that would translate into any kind of meaningful ticket sales. Bette's audience was older and didn't mind shelling out big bucks to see her. Bernadette's audience is generally also older and probably buy their tickets at a heavy discount."

Yes - it's nice there might be a small group of dedicated young Bernadette fans (and believe me, I don't exactly have gray hair myself). But over the next several months Dolly has over 200,000 tickets that need to be sold at $100 a pop - not a few nights at 54 below. I doubt this is a core market that the producers could or should target...young people don't really like this style of entertainment. 

Updated On: 2/7/18 at 04:47 PM

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 2/7/18 at 5:32pm

GeorgeandDot said: "Also, Totallyeffed, I am a professional. I'm happy that as a young person you've been exposed to the brilliance that is Bette Midler, but I guarantee to you that many of your peers don't really know who she is, unfortunately. There's no reason for personal attacks like that. This board has become remarkably nasty lately."

I was just quoting Dreamgirls. It was a joke.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 2/7/18 at 6:01pm

SmokeyLady said: "haterobics said: "Jarethan said: "As someone who was a tad disappointed by Bette's performance -- specifically, at what I perceived as a 'phone in' during the musical numbers, at a performance I saw just after she returned from vacation -- I am absolutely shocked that there is not more demand for tickets so immediately after Bette's exit."

We told you this was a minority opinion when you originally stated it, though, so not sure why you're continually surprised when it is confirmed as such..."



Yeah dude. You keep repeating the same thing and it is kind stupid. I love Bernadette and I love Donna and so many others. But Bette is a international recording and movie star. And if you didn't know that then all you had to do was google. Of course box office is going to drop. It was expected and not shocking at all. Hopefully good producers know how to keep the show running so that many can see this wonderful show. Also; I have been told that both the actors equity lounge and the NYU student union had comps available for tonights performance. Folks in the city with access should take advantage.

I obviously was unclear re my mystification. I was not surprised a speck by the fact that business was going to go down without Bette; however, I foolishly thought there would still be healthy demand, if not at the prices or level of enthusiasm that Bette commanded. 

I am thinking that After Eight probably hit the nail on the head:  if he is correct, and others seem to agree with his assessment, the younger generation is apparently thinking about HD the way that I would have thought about The Desert Song when I was young (which we all know is clearly not the case).  This would explain the lack of enthusiasm that I was unprepared for.  I had just not anticipated that the first REAL revival of one of the biggest Broadway hits ever would raise so little interest beyond functioning as a Bette revival meeting; this was especially the case,since I thought this production was better than the original.  Live and learn.

Note: Although I saw both Channing revivals, I always viewed them as bus and truck tours making a quick stop on Broadway vs. real revivals.

[Zamedy154]

Posted: 2/8/18 at 8:03am

BEACHES and HOCUS POCUS also give/gave Bette a huge following among the younger generation. 

I love Gavin's comments in one interview in which he said something to the effect of he had to stop himself from reciting all of her lines from BEACHES while in her presence because doing so would just be super creepy :).