Old folk are pretty darn bratty about Bette

I understand it's disappointing when you expect to see a legendary performer and instead you get stuck with a two-time Tony winner accompanied by other accomplished theatre actors, a fantastic ensemble, gorgeous sets, and all-around fantastic production. But dear God, some of these people need a time out.

When I went on a night with Donna, someone behind me didn't know she was performing. When her companion told her that Bette wasn't there that night, she slapped him on the shoulder. "Tell me you're joking." She slapped him again, demanding that he tell her he was joking, and when she realized he was serious, she almost started crying. "It doesn't say that anywhere!" she said, standing right in front of a sign that said DONNA MURPHY PERFORMING TONIGHT.

Someone pointed the sign out. "Well, that's just one sign!" There are actually three surrounding the theatre.

Another woman complained about how deceitful it was. When she bought tickets, she said, they didn't say Bette wouldn't be performing. "It's sick that they keep that from you," she said. "It should be illegal." Actually, there's a disclaimer at the top of the website listing Donna's dates, there's that same disclaimer on top of Telecharge, and Stubhub, and you can't even buy a ticket from any site without a pop-up saying "Donna Murphy will be playing Dolly at this performance! ARE YOU SURE YOU'RE OK WITH IT???"

A third woman said Bette Midler had some nerve taking off after she won a Tony. When some of her fans flew in from Boston just to see her.

It's a shame. This is such a lovely production, with or without Bette. Donna is a delight and so is everyone and everything else.

Oh well. At least it makes it easier (and cheaper) to see it a couple of more times.

Updated On: 7/19/17 at 05:59 PM

802AFM said: "You should have seen Shubert Alley this afternoon!

Linda Mugleston nailed it, for the record...



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That is not what I heard girl. Not what I heard at all. And by the way. there are a lot of young Bette fans as well. I think tourists and foreigners who are buying their tickets thru services or their hotels are the ones not being informed correctly about Donna performances. But be that as it may. If you were expecting to see someone in a show and didn't.. it is very disappointing. especially these prices. I don't think it has anything to do with being old.

godlessondheimite said:

It's very disappointing but if you're seeing a live performance you should be prepared to expect an understudy. Things happen. Also, there's no need to carry on and disrespect the rest of the production, cast, crew, and staff.



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Baloney. Sure there is no need to disrespect anyone. But if you paid a lot of money to see Bette Midler you shouldn't expect to be seeing a understudy. Things happen.. but you shouldn't be expecting to see a understudy. Go get your refund. Also; I don't believe Bette has ever missed a concert performance or any nights of her previous broadway runs. I hope she is ok.

godlessondheimite said: "SmokeyLady said: "godlessondheimite said:

It's very disappointing but if you're seeing a live performance you should be prepared to expect an understudy. Things happen. Also, there's no need to carry on and disrespect the rest of the production, cast, crew, and staff.



"

Baloney. Sure there is no need to disrespect anyone. But if you paid a lot of money to see Bette Midler you shouldn't expect to be seeing a understudy. Things happen.. but you shouldn't be expecting to see a understudy. Go get your refund. Also; I don't believe Bette has ever missed a concert performance or any nights of her previous broadway runs. I hope she is ok.



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You're right. You should expect to see the actor you paid for. But there's always the possibility of an understudy. But, understudy aside, they've been pretty upfront about when Bette's on and when Donna's on.



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Yes they have. That is why I think the misinformation is coming from third parties. When I saw Donna I spoke with a upset Swedish couple that had purchased their tickets thru their hotels concierge.

And when you overhear them in line or th theater, you are often hearing the emotional moment they find out....regardless of whether they SHOULD know.



For example: the women behind you in line, who bought the tickets? Her or her friend/partner she was with? If you aren't a theater person, you'd have no reason to question it, when someone else is buying the tickets.



It is what it is, people are going to be disappointed, I'm not really sure if who's fault it is matters.

Margo319 said: "Can't stand the woman, how she went on and on and on at the Tonys, embarrassing herself. I am so happy to be seeing Donna Murphy and considering every single date that Bette will be out is listed on Telecharge, and when you enter the theater you are informed by several different ways Donna Murphy will be on.....there is no excuse for a person to act that way. She should have done her homework and not acted like a little bitch.



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Your a idiot. I mean nobody else but a idiot would come on the internet to write a idiotic comment like that. And her Tony acceptance was fabulous. When they started cutting her off I felt the same thing was going to happen as when they cut Frank Sinatra off. Her speech was divine!

I did read that. You are still a idiot. Only reason you wrote that was to come here and stir the pot.

Updated On: 7/19/17 at 07:37 PM

Margo319 said: "It's my opinion about Bette, many, many people share it. Sorry to disappoint ya! Oh, and the person I referred to as a bitch was the person who freaked out about not understanding that Bette was not performing. READING. IT'S IMPORTANT."

DAME is allowed to post about which performers they dislike, but no one is allowed to say a word against Bette. It's fun.

I wouldn't call you a idiot. But not sure why you need to come on and be so negative about someone beloved to so many. And older people in general should be respected. Sure there are bad people in every bunch. Maybe the word is not idiot. Maybe the word is immature. But definitely not necessary. And if you don't get that.. then the word is definitely immature.

People that are angry to have missed Bette at Donna's performances have absolutely zero right to complain. The production has been crystal clear about which performances she's on for. It's right on Broadway.com, Telecharge (in big, red letters), and you literally can't walk into the Shubert on one of those nights without seeing a red sign saying so. That's on you.

I feel terribly, however, for people at today's matinee. I'm sure Linda was a wonderful Dolly, but my heart breaks for people who I'm sure bought tickets months ago and flew/drove into the city specifically for this performance to see Bette.

Sorry if I've missed this somewhere, but do we know if the box office was able to recompense today's patrons (though I'm sure it's extremely difficult to do so)?

old people are generally ruder than people younger than them, anyone who has worked in retail or food service can attest to this.

DAME said: "I am guessing she went on tonight since social media has been quiet"

From the other thread, but it looks like she's back on tonight...

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWv0Bs5lnSt/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWvyFmLBYX4/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWv1SWxF33U/?tagged=hellodolly

I don't have a dog in this fight but re: people disappointed when they find out it's Donna and not Bette... You're hearing how incredibly hard it is to get a ticket and every show for months is sold out and the tickets cost a fortune and you're able to grab orchestra seats for $159 with no problem the week before you want to go? I mean, shouldn't that tell you something?

And yeah, the tendency of some on here to always fault bad behavior on "old" people is tiresome. Trust me, you'll get there too one day... if you're lucky.