Thank you Bette!

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 1/12/18 at 2:33pm

As Bette Midler faces her final curtain in Hello, Dolly! on Sunday night, I wanted to express my sincere thanks for all she did for this show. Having listened to my mom's OBCR since I was a little girl, and seen Carol in it in Boston in the '70s and Pearl on Broadway, I could not wait to see it one more time on the Great White Way. 

My fingers were crossed that this would be a good production — something both longtime fans and new audiences could appreciate.  

And wow! What we got was not merely good, it was great! Outstanding actors, singers, dancers, costumes, music, sets. This show has it all. Kudos to the performers and the producers.

The show didn't need a star of Bette's caliber to be worthwhile. The charming Donna Murphy more than held her own. But Bette brought something special.

I have seen many outstanding Broadway shows but never had an experience at one which I would call Electric. But there was discernible electricity emanating from the audience that I am sure the actors could feel too. I thought maybe I was feeling this way because I am such a fan of the show, but no. My husband is not really a Dolly fan, he thinks the show is slight, but he admitted he too could feel electricity and enthusiasm from the crowd the moment Bette put down her newspaper. He also recognized that this was a very special, dare I say, historic, show.

Without Bette, Dolly would have been terrific, and with Bernadette I am sure it still will be. But the show would not have been the smash success it was without Bette. Dolly quickly became the show everyone was talking about, exceeding Hamilton in presales, and smashing box office records left and right.

I was fortunate to see Bette twice. I snagged a ticket for the first preview matinee where Christian Dante White filled in for Gavin Creel. To say this was an older crowd is an understatement. At 58, I think I was the youngest one there. But bam — electricity from the get-go. A couple months later, my mother flew in from Wisconsin to see the show with me, my sisters, my husband and my daughter. Wheelechair bound, she said this was the thrill of a lifetime and loved every minute. We toasted with flutes of Prosecco afterwards at Sardi's — the culmination of our mother and daughter experience.

Thank you Bette for bringing excitement and joy into this theater nerd's life. So long, Dearie!

[Bette's Turban]

Posted: 1/12/18 at 2:45pm

Sally;  Thank you for your eloquent and beautiful words.  How lucky are we that we got to witness such magnificence.  THANK YOU BETTE! 

Updated On: 1/12/18 at 02:45 PM

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 1/12/18 at 2:47pm

I love this post! Thank you for sharing your memories, Stage Door Sally.

Seeing Bette Midler as Dolly Levi will be one of those theatre memories I cherish forever. A truly legendary run for the history books. So yes, thank you, thank you, Bette! 

[Rhoda4]

Posted: 1/12/18 at 3:09pm

Now if she would only reprise her role in "Rochelle Rochelle The Musical"

[Rhoda4]

Posted: 1/12/18 at 3:17pm

It was my privilege to have seen the show last May.   It was a night of magic!!  Thank you Bette, and thanks to all involved with this production.

[catmandoo]

Posted: 1/12/18 at 4:16pm

Seeing it tonight. Can't wait.