The HELLO, DOLLY! National Tour Thread — Page 4

Why not Carol Burnett since someone wants to give old divas some Dolly glory---she's had enough surgery to look 70.

DAME said: "Dollypop said: "A friend of mine was an understudy for an Off Broadway comedy that Buckley was starring in. My buddy went on several times in different roles, so I saw the show quite a few times. At one performance Buckley's part was played by her understudy, who was superior to Buckley in every way.

Betty Buckley just lacks warmth and humor."

Dollypop: when was this? For me she has gotten warmer with age. But I can’t imagine she was castings first choice ."



I just remembered the show was called WHITE'S LIES and it played at New World Stages. When Betty was out, her understudy stole the show.

I'm still shaking my head over this one! I could see Rachel York, who was wonderful as Reno Sweeney in the Anything Goes tour, Victoria Clark, or Beth Leavel, as Dolly. Betty Buckley, not at all.

Updated On: 2/13/18 at 09:17 AM

DottieD'Luscia said: "I'm still shaking my head over this one! I could see Rachel York, who was wonderful as Reno Sweeney in the Anything Goes tour, Victoria Clark, or Beth Leavel, as Dolly. Betty Buckley, not at all."

Victoria Clark would have been delightful.

Dollypop said: "And no one has mentioned Loretta Swit.

Alas!"

She is alive?

Dollypop said: "Oh my! She is indeed!

Haven't you seen the lines outside book stores whenever she makes appearances to promote her book "Swithearts"? I waited on line a full four minutes to get into the Book Revue when she was there. And I have to marvel at her cleverness: she cuts down on autographing time by using a rubber stamp to sign her name--unfortunately mine came out a bit blurry, but I like it."



I use to see her at union meetings. But since I retired it has been years.

Jarethan said: "I have not seen Betty Buckley live in awhile, but I happened to see her last night in the movie 'Split'. She was reallyexcellent IMO.

That said, unless they padded her and really piled on the make-up -- neither of which I think was the case, having seen pictures of her fairly frequently --she looks like she is in a lot worse shape than Whoppi AND really looks old in a way that Bette and Bernadette do not. (To me, she has always come across as older than she is).

So, she does not normally convey warmth, has not done comedy (her performance in Drood was not remotely a comedy performance), sings in a key that is not suited to Dolly, has a vibrato that is not pleasant to my ear and that I can't imagine singing So Long Dearie, Hello Dolly, I Put My Hand in Here, etc. On top of that, she is too old and looks out of shape. She is not and has never been a box office attraction. I doubt that many people in the traditional road cities even know who she is.

Couldn't Rudin fund a production of Dear World for a non-profit if she was so good at it, instead of casting her in what could be a catastrophically bad performance?

"

As someone who has followed Buckley since the late 1960s, I have long known that she keeps to a strict exercise routine. She has a home gym; stays to a six-day-a-week exercise program; has an excellent diet; and gets sufficient sleep. She is not out of shape. She does not look too old. Her voice is perfect for the role. She exudes charm and warmth and humor. She is an excellent choice for the role. Here in San Diego, her concerts are always sold out. I join the ranks of the many who are excited beyond measure to see Betty Buckley's "Dolly".

https://www.ctpost.com/entertainment/article/Broadway-legend-Betty-Buckley-brings-cabaret-to-7384278.php

Updated On: 2/14/18 at 10:44 AM

Saw Beth Leavel on Cape Cod as Dolly and she was good. Can not see Betty Buckley in this role at all. No interest. They better pick someone funny like DHP from TV to play Horace if they want to sell tickets... Let's see how about.... Chevy Chase, Jeffrey Tambor, David Ogden Stiers, or Danny DeVito?

newintown said: "My prediction: if Buckley makes it through rehearsals andtech, she will have a meltdown by the third city and will disappear, leaving her understudy to finish the season."

LOL, ^^This reminded me of a funny story from CATS! LOL

Yes, but HELLO DOLLY has always been fueled by a 'name' of some kind. It's part of what has always made the show an event. So, it wouldn't be appropriate, in my opinion, as a brand - to send this out on the road with just a solid, respectable Broadway performer. Betty Buckley at least represents "Broadway Royalty" -- more so than someone like Christine Ebersole, to me. I just don't think Buckley is terribly well suited for the role.

Updated On: 2/14/18 at 02:53 PM

"This tour does not need a big name."

I doubt that there would be an equal number of markets buying Hello Dolly! starring Alma Cuervo as would buy Hello, Dolly! starring Goldie Hawn (or some such name).