Official Bernadette Peters in Hello, Dolly! performances thread- Page 22

[dmwnc1959]

Posted: 3/2/18 at 8:13pm

I’m still torn between trying to make it to NYC to see this with Bernadette Peters or waiting for the National Tour with Betty Buckley, the latter which will be much closer to me in either Pittsburgh (hopefully, when and if they announce it later this month) or in Cleveland for the National Tour Launch. 

Any thoughts? 

Updated On: 3/2/18 at 08:13 PM

[Robbie2]

Posted: 3/4/18 at 5:24pm

Happy 70th ~ 



 

[binau]

Posted: 3/4/18 at 7:52pm

According to ATC, Sondheim visited the show :). 

[ChildofEarth]

Posted: 3/4/18 at 8:49pm

Saw Bernadette a few days ago and I was reminded why I loved theater. I don’t think I’ve felt that happy in a theater before - truly sensational.

[BuddyStarr]

Posted: 3/7/18 at 1:17pm

Well I got a rush ticket for this afternoon.  Row C.  I hope Bernadette is there.  Last time I had a ticket for her for the matinee in The Goodbye Girl she called out so her standby when on, then an understudy went on for the standby in the second act.  Fingers crossed, it's wet out there.

 

[Dollypop]

Posted: 3/7/18 at 2:48pm

Buddy, my sister and I were at that same performance!

[binau]

Posted: 3/7/18 at 4:33pm

BuddyStarr said: "Well I got a rush ticket for this afternoon. Row C. I hope Bernadette is there. Last time I had a ticket for her for the matinee in The Goodbye Girl she called out so her standby when on, then an understudy went on for the standby in the second act. Fingers crossed, it's wet out there.

"

As far as I know, Bernadette has not missed a Broadway performance for almost 15 years (i.e., since Gypsy). If you don't catch her you'd have to be the unluckiest person in the world. 

[BuddyStarr]

Posted: 3/7/18 at 5:21pm

Dollypop said: "Buddy, my sister and I were at that same performance!"

I was an interesting performance.  I always have to remember that's it a matinee and you get a lot of "people" who like to talk throughout the performance, the guy behind me was reading out loud the names on the storefront with the Mrs. Rose scene.

I most liked Charlie Stemp and all the new choreography they changed for him, it got me wondering if they change any of it if he doesn't go on? I also really enjoyed Kristen Williams as Irene.  The rest of the cast not so much...

It was nerve racking sitting there with Victor Garber going up in his first scene.  I would have thought the actress playing Ermengard could've helped him but it was painful waiting for him to say his lines.

I really wanted to like Christian Dante White.  He sings beautifully and had a lot of energy but I felt every line of dialogue was shouted to make sure that the person in the last row of the balcony (which was empty) could hear him.  

It was not my favorite Bernadette performance. Some lines were rattled off like she was just trying to get through them while others were repeated ad nauseum (rippling, rippling, rippling, rippling....rippling...) I don't recall when I did the show that it was recited that. many. times.  I do give her a lot of credit for being able to do this show 8 times a week.  I hope I am that energetic when i reach her age.  I would also not recommend  sitting in the second row.  You ware way too close and can see everything.  sitting further back is much more forgiving to the eye and the ability to take in the whole stage.

While it is still one of my favorite shows I don't know if I could sit through this production again.  I was thinking of that in the theatre.  I guess I would if they did some stunt casting like Victor/Victoria did with Liza.  Seeing a hot mess as Dolly would pull me back me (is Liza available?)

Of all three recent Dollys, I would still have to say that Donna Murphy was my favorite.  She was in every moment and didn't milk the audience for applause.  

[LFazin]

Posted: 3/7/18 at 10:44pm

Forgive me if this has already been addressed, but does Bernadette Peters have a specific performance schedule for this show? My friend and I would like to purchase tickets, but we’re hesitant to book not knowing if she has any scheduled days off/upcoming events/certain performances that her understudy goes on for/etc.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 3/7/18 at 10:51pm

LFazin said: "Forgive me if this has already been addressed, but does Bernadette Peters have a specific performance schedule for this show? My friend and I would like to purchase tickets, but we’re hesitant to book not knowing if she has any scheduled days off/upcoming events/certain performances that her understudy goes on for/etc."

Bernadette does all performances, barring illness or injury. She hasn't missed a show in the 2-ish months she's been in the role!

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 3/7/18 at 10:54pm

BuddyStarr said: "Of all three recent Dollys, I would still have to say that Donna Murphy was my favorite. She was in every moment and didn't milk the audience for applause."

I'm completely with you!

I felt Bernadette was too manufactured to be the naturally charismatic Dolly Levi. And Bette was just on a completely different plane (a bar-none sensational experience, for the record).  

Donna was just a total dream. A delight. A pitch-perfect Dolly in every sense.

Updated On: 3/7/18 at 10:54 PM

[EthelMae]

Posted: 3/10/18 at 11:57pm

Back tonight for my millionth time or so. Bernadette- lovely. But it's odd, at the curtain call there was no reaching out to her like Midler's call. The audience loved her but there is a distance between her and the audience. Can't put my finger on it. Victor-ok, nothing special- didn't hurt the show but all of David Hyde Pierce's comedy is gone. Charlie is fine but has none of Taylor Trensch's knack of comedy timing, Molly is fine, a little of her own stuff with Beanie's stuff. Understudy for Kate- lovely voice but none of Kate's charm. And White on for Cornelius. Nice voice but, again, doesn't have Creel's charm and sense of comedy. Overall, show is still great but there are some holes now-if you never saw it, you wouldn't know but if you have, hard not to compare what came before.

Updated On: 3/11/18 at 11:57 PM

[binau]

Posted: 3/11/18 at 6:09pm

Thanks for your thoughts. It is very interesting to think there are shows running with understudies for both Kate & Gavin, plus all the replacements etc. - I can imagine those who have seen the show starting to see some cracks in the plaster (la, la, la).

Has anyone been able to ask any of the cast and/or Bernadette herself about whether there are plans to record her tracks?

 

 

[blm2323]

Posted: 3/17/18 at 11:37pm

Wow wow wow! Bernadette was amazing tonight! Great vocals, amazing comic timing and great chemistry with the whole cast. She had the audience in the palm of her hand.

HUGE shout out to the impeccably behaved group of over 200 teenagers in the balcony!

[BroadwayBeebe]

Posted: 3/18/18 at 5:01pm

Jennifer Simard is playing her final performance today according to Instagram. Anyone know who will be replacing her? She will be so missed!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 3/18/18 at 6:36pm

Jennifer's leaving? Who the Heck could replace that gem?

[mc1227]

Posted: 3/18/18 at 8:11pm

Saw this again Wednesday night.  Bernadette was amazing!! She started off sounding nasally and her voice cracked early, so I was afraid we weren’t going to see her at her best.  Was I wrong!  She recovered beautifuuly and just got stronger as the night went on.  There was also a mishap as the train set wasn’t working and she came out to joke after the announcement of the delay.  The audience loved it.

i thought Santino did an admirable job but having seen Gavin last fall, it wasn’t quite to that level.  However, Charlie Stempf more than made up for it.  Just amazing!!

Victor Garber was a refreshing change from DHP who did nothing for me.  Victors charm and comedic timing was a wonderful addition to an already great production.  I’m so glad I went back for Bernadette and am looking forward to another one soon!!

Updated On: 3/18/18 at 08:11 PM

[msmp]

Posted: 3/18/18 at 11:10pm

Does anyone know if Bernadette has started signing yet? I recall someone here saying she might after the worst of cold/flu season was over. And does anyone know if anyone signs during Easter Bonnet at the stage door?

Sorry for the questions lately; this is the first year I've actually been able to go to NYC with any frequency!

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 3/18/18 at 11:31pm

BroadwayBeebe said: "Jennifer Simard is playing her final performance today according to Instagram. Anyone know who will be replacing her? She will be so missed!"

So shocked/disappointed! I hope we find out her replacement soon. 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 3/18/18 at 11:35pm

Here's a post attesting to Simard's departure. So disappointed! She pushed me to total giggle fits every time I saw the show. Happy trails!

[AllThatJazz2]

Posted: 3/19/18 at 12:10am

msmp said: "Does anyone know if Bernadette has started signing yet? I recall someone here saying she might after the worst of cold/flu season was over. And does anyone know ifanyonesigns during Easter Bonnet at the stage door?

Sorry for the questions lately; this is the first year I've actually been able to go to NYC with any frequency!"

I was there Friday and the only ones to sign were Charlie Stemp and Kate Baldwin. It was bloody freezing out that night though so I was honestly surprised anyone bothered signing. 

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 3/19/18 at 9:23am

I take it one of the two Ernestina understudies will be going on as a replacement hasn't been announced.  I'm not sure if Jennifer Simard missed any performances during her run as no one here reported seeing an understudy in the role.

[MoveOnGypsy]

Posted: 3/19/18 at 9:38am

I too was disappointed that Jennifer's departure wasn't annouceed. She was hilarious in the show and definitely deserved more recognition! Her understudies are Jessica Sheridan and Carmen Ruby Floyd. I am hesitate to see either of them in the role as they don't strike me as comedians. And before anyone says anything, I know Carmen played Gary Coleman in Avenue Q but Gary was more of a "straight man" in the show leveling out the other characters.

[ElphabaGoodman]

Posted: 3/19/18 at 10:52am

Alli Mauzey is joining the cast as Ernestina, beginning tomorrow night.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 3/19/18 at 11:05am

That's wonderful news!