Official Bernadette Peters in Hello, Dolly! performances thread — Page 7

I think that’s fan made.

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That is indeed fan made artwork. It was posted on here days after she was announced and months before she even started rehearsals.

Any reports?

The show was electric. Standing ovations on entrance, after the title song and of course at the end. Bernadette looked overwhelmed with the audience response. Besides a few line flubs it’s in perfect shape. Bernadette is really hilarious - she knows how to work that audience. Vocally it’s probably exactly what you’d expect, with the biggest ‘surprise’ (but also perhaps as expected) the beginning of “Before the Parade” being particularly emotional/vulnerable/quiet - although there is no blatant crying. “So Long, Dearie” was also a highlight. The title song felt historic - we are welcoming back the same person that starred in the same creative team collaboration with “Mack & Mabel” - the same person that did Sunday, Into the Woods, Gypsy and Follies. Just magical.

Garber seemed uncomfortable at first but warmed up very quickly. Charlie Stemp is so cute and almost steals the show.

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Is she singing the optional higher notes like Murphy did?

ljay889 said: "Is she singing the optional higher notes like Murphy did?"

There are times she does take it up but I don’t remember her doing that very sultry/smooth/jazzy high notes on “Hello, Hello” that Murphy did (or if she did it was less effective). It’s a confident, serviceable vocal performance but it’s exactly what you’d expect from her. Her unique timbre and personality greatly adds to the show, but if we are talking sheer vocal power I don’t think she has one-upped Murphy. 

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Updated On: 1/20/18 at 11:26 PM

I was there tonight and truthfully I was a little nervous seeing it again so soon after the absolute thrill of Bette’s final Sunday matinee. That is a performance I will remember for the rest of my life. 

Thw great joy of Bernadette’s performance is how much fun she’s having. After mostly keeping to the Sondheim canon for the past decade or so, it’s fun to see her let loose and sink her teeth into musical comedy. She really scored with the hat shop scene, the title number and So Long, Dearie, which almost approaches Barbra’s belty 11 o’clock take from the film. There were some line flubs and some hesitation at other moments; when she has the script down cold those moments will be elevated to the rest of her performance. 

Bernadette has clearly been guzzling from the fountain of youth because she looks beyond amazing; by the time the next Follies revival rolls around she’ll be ready to take on Young Sally!

I thought Victor Garber had a strong first act and did well with Penny in Your Pocket. Once he and Bernadette run the dinner scene a few more times they’ll be able to mine more laughs there. 

Charlie Stemp was an excellent Barnaby. I really loved him. Hopefully Encores mounts Half a Sixpence so we can see it here too. 

The biggest change of the evening was in Dancing. Gone is the ensemble member who did the pirouettes. Now Barnaby dances a solo spot. Then where Minnie would dance with the four guys downstage it’s Barnaby dancing with four women. The lift with Minnie has been cut. While Stemp dances it all very well, I preferred it the original way because those sequences really endeared Minnie to me (and I think the rest of the audience too). Since her part is thinner than Barnaby’s, ever moment counts and I felt after a strong opening monologue in front of the hat shop, Minnie faded a little into the background for me. 

Overall the joys of the show are undeniable and unstoppable. I can’t wait to see Bernadette again, but I’m glad I was there tonight to help let her know that she was back where she belongs!

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RippedMan said: "Is there a reason Stemp came over? Seems odd to spend the money to bring him over when he isn’t known, and seems odd to going from West End star to a glorified Ensemble part. "

Did someone not get a callback? 

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RippedMan said: "Is there a reason Stemp came over? Seems odd to spend the money to bring him over when he isn’t known, and seems odd to going from West End star to a glorified Ensemble part. "

I just wonder if someone would know he’d turn out a great performance. His naïve cute personality is so adorable - and the way his mouth kind of hangs slightly open like he is a little dumb but innocent. The dancing. It was just a great performance. His accent was also so perfect I couldn’t even tell he was british. I have basically fallen in love with him and prefer him to the original. Although I didn’t find this Minnie quite as funny - maybe because it seemed like she was just trying to replicate the original?

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Updated On: 1/21/18 at 12:27 AM

Wow! I’m so excited to see her on Wednesday! Also does anyone know if she signed/took photos at the stage door?

Why bring over Stemp?  I think Rudin is playing the long game yes?  Introducing him to American audiences before mounting Half a Sixpence?

I agree 100%.  Electric is the key word.  I got chills watching Bernadette as the audience went nuts.  The ovation after the title song went on for so long that the dancers stuck in the half kneeling pose started to look uncomfortable.  Every time Bernadette went to begin speaking, the crowd got louder.  The little goofs  throughout made the show more endearing.  I thought Charlie Stemp was amazing (and loved his dancing) but did not care as much for Molly.  I, too, think she was trying to play the role as Beanie but I think in time, she could make it her own.  Victor was really good, but I felt bad for him when Bernadette was throwing salt around.  It went right into his eye and he was struggling to get it out.  Dearie was a little sassy and sultry and the vocals were wonderful.  Joel Grey and Scott Rodin were in the house.  For those of you wondering about the stage door, Jennifer and Kate were the only ones to sign.  Charlie and Molly greeted the crowd and walked away.  The barricades were taken down before Gavin or Bernadette came out.  Mine was the first hand she shook during the curtain call, and I could not have asked for a more amazing night.  

RippedMan said: "Is there a reason Stemp came over? Seems odd to spend the money to bring him over when he isn’t known, and seems odd to going from West End star to a glorified Ensemble part."

Seems odd you ask this every time his name is mentioned.