Three Hello Dollys & Their Performances

[BPfan81]

Posted: 4/16/18 at 11:34pm

Okay, so I'm a little crazy about this musical lately and I am wondering about the following: those who have seen Bette Midler, Donna Murphy, and now Bernadette Peters, how was each performance different? Were any particular moments added/changed with each performer? I caught her and Victor Garber on Andy Cohen a few weeks ago, and he asked her about the 'food eating' scene and she said she 'stole' the idea from Carol Channing after BP went and saw her performance at Lincoln Center Library when she was preparing for this role. So, Bette Midler and Donna Murphy did not 'eat' anything during that scene, for example?

Also, is Donna Murphy completely done with the role since Bernadette Peters is in?

[haterobics]

Posted: 4/16/18 at 11:48pm

BPfan81 said: "I caught her and Victor Garber on Andy Cohen a few weeks ago, and he asked her about the 'food eating' scene and she said she 'stole' the idea from Carol Channing after BP went and saw her performance at Lincoln Center Library when she was preparing for this role. So, Bette Midler and Donna Murphy did not 'eat' anything during that scene, for example?

Also, is Donna Murphy completely done with the role since Bernadette Peters is in?"

Yes on Donna.

And Bette, Donna, and Bernadette all did the eating scene... and Bernadette saw Bette in the role, so not sure what she said on Cohen's show, but it seems inaccurate? I'd give the edge to Bette on wringing every last ounce of comedy out of it, either way.

[sng]

Posted: 4/16/18 at 11:50pm

Bette and Donna ate a lot certainly and very similar to what Carol did too. Out of Bette, Donna and Bernadette, Bette got the most laugh though. 

 

[TheSassySam]

Posted: 4/16/18 at 11:55pm

I loved all three performances! 

Bernadette had a lot more physical comedy associated with her performance compared to Bette and Donna. Donna's performance was a lot more emotional (crying during Before the Parade Passes By). And, to be honest, I was incredibly enamored from Bette that her performance will be branded in my mind as one of my cherished memories. 

If I had the money, I'd send Bernadette and company into the recording booth to create an EP of Dolly's numbers with Donna's "So Long Dearie" and "Hello, Dolly!" as bonus tracks. 

I absolutely adore this production and cannot wait to see Betty in the role later this year.

[haterobics]

Posted: 4/17/18 at 12:02am

TheSassySam said: "Donna's performance was a lot more emotional (crying during Before the Parade Passes By)."

Bernadette had tears streaming down her cheeks at that same point on Saturday night. That's why you can't get too detailed on comparing performances, since every one of them is different...

[BPfan81]

Posted: 4/17/18 at 12:11am

sng said: " Out of Bette, Donna and Bernadette, Bette got the most laugh though."

I certainly can believe this. I did hear from my friend that a friend couple who saw Bette in the show 5 times said she really dragged things out sometimes, to the point of overdoing it and it got boring.

 

[BPfan81]

Posted: 4/17/18 at 12:14am

TheSassySam said: "I loved all three performances!

Bernadette had a lot more physical comedy associated with her performance compared to Bette and Donna. Donna's performance was a lot more emotional (crying during Before the Parade Passes By). And, to be honest, I was incredibly enamored from Bette that her performance will be branded in my mind as one of my cherished memories.
I absolutely adore this production and cannot wait to see Betty in the role later this year."

Is it because Donna Murphy lost her husband not too long before she started the musical? Maybe she was drawing on that. I'm sure it must have been a great performance. And, true, they cannot be compared.

And when is it that Betty will start...in the fall?

 

[haterobics]

Posted: 4/17/18 at 12:15am

BPfan81 said: "a friend couple who saw Bette in the show 5 times said she really dragged things out sometimes, to the point of overdoing it and it got boring."

So boring she kept going back and back repeatedly?

[BPfan81]

Posted: 4/17/18 at 12:19am

haterobics said: "BPfan81 said: "a friend couple who saw Bette in the show 5 times said she really dragged things out sometimes, to the point of overdoing it and it got boring."

So boring she kept going back and back repeatedly?"

I know! Apparently, the couple see all the shows every year and multiple times.

 

[JBC3]

Posted: 4/17/18 at 3:04am

Finally someone is brave enough to ask the question that no one has been talking about ad nauseum for months on these here boards.

[broadwayqueen2]

Posted: 4/17/18 at 11:14am

I've seen Donna, Bette, & Bernadette and I have to say its hard to compare each of their performances. That being said, I personally enjoyed Bernadette's the best. 

• Bette was the main attraction during her run. She was the vocal point (rightfully so) but I felt like I couldn't take in the whole performance with her as Dolly. She was hilarious at all the right moments, but I do agree she dragged out many points that kind of made it boring. Her voice was great, but not my favorite dolly voice. I DO have to mention though her relationship with Horace (David Hyde Pierce) was amazing. They had such a chemistry that didn't seem forced one bit.
• Donna was phenomenal, and I sometimes preferred her Dolly over Bette's. She really did have a better voice than Bette (in my opinion) and was equally as funny. She was also the sweetest human at the stage door, and was 100% friendly in each of her interactions. I really did enjoy her performance, nothing negative to say about it.
• Lastly, Bernadette was outstanding. I was nervous about her taking on the role (after reviewing the chat boards that said she was struggling in her role) but I was blown away the night I went to see it. First off, she's a broadway legend, there is no way around that. To be in her presence was enough to blow me away. But I think she did a great job applying her life to the role, which made it more raw and emotional. Her moments where she is speaking to Ephram were heartbreaking and I really felt connected to her dolly. She received a standing ovation after Hello Dolly during my night, and it was well deserved. That being said, Victor Garber gives her little to work with in the relationship between Dolly and Horace. He kind of slowed her down. But otherwise, I was very moved.

 

[BPfan81]

Posted: 4/17/18 at 4:55pm

broadwayqueen2 said: "I've seen Donna, Bette, & Bernadette and I have to say its hard to compare each of their performances. That being said, I personally enjoyed Bernadette's the best."

Thank you for such detail with your observations. I just saw Bernadette in the role. Honestly, I didn't care too much about Bette, partly because I'm really not too into her in general, and I remember last year at the Tony's (just saw recaps on news) how she seemed very egotistic during her Tony speech when they were pretty much telling her to wrap (don't really know if her response was an 'act' or not) and it turned me off. Plus, tickets were really too expensive for me, however, I could have gone if I really wanted to splurge on seeing her - I just really did not want to.

Bernadette is my favorite performer since I first saw her in Gypsy and I remember they were really hard on her back then too. I enjoyed it both times I saw her, she was spot on, and actually the second time she seemed more 'emotional' where the part called for it. I just think she comes off very personable on stage and seems pleasant to watch as a result.

And Donna Murphy I only know from "Wonderful Town,' when I first saw her - another great musical - and she left a positive impression on me from back then. I regret I didn't see her now in Hello, Dolly, as I could only do matinee Saturdays and I wasn't sure she did those. 

 

[BPfan81]

Posted: 4/17/18 at 4:57pm

JBC3 said: "Finally someone is brave enough to ask the question that no one has been talking about ad nauseum for months on these here boards."

Not looking to start anything - just one's perspective and thoughts :)

[Papi2013]

Posted: 4/18/18 at 9:54pm

BPfan81 said: "broadwayqueen2 said: "I've seen Donna, Bette, & Bernadette and I have to say its hard to compare each of their performances. That being said, I personally enjoyed Bernadette's the best."

Thank you for such detail with your observations. I just saw Bernadette in the role. Honestly, I didn't care too much about Bette, partly because I'm really not too into her in general, and I remember last year at the Tony's (just saw recaps on news) how she seemed very egotistic during her Tony speech when they were pretty much telling her to wrap (don't really know if her responsewas an 'act' or not) and it turned me off. Plus, tickets were really too expensive for me, however, I could have gone if I really wanted to splurge on seeing her - I just really did not want to.

Bernadette is my favorite performer since I first saw her in Gypsy and I remember they were really hard on her back then too. I enjoyed it both times I saw her, she was spot on, and actually the second time she seemed more 'emotional' where the part called for it. I just think she comes off very personable on stage and seems pleasant to watch as a result.

And Donna Murphy I only know from "Wonderful Town,' when I first saw her - another great musical - and she left a positive impression on me from back then. I regret I didn't see her now in Hello, Dolly, as I could only do matinee Saturdays and I wasn't sure she did those.

"

Egotistic during her Tony speech ?  She did nothing but thank other people , praise the creatives, and honor the Dolly’s before her.  The speech was fabulous and the best part of that horrid Tony telecast. 

[DAME]

Posted: 4/18/18 at 10:34pm

Last years award show was dull. Her speech was touching and funny and one of the few highlights of the evening . And for what it’s worth I thought Bernadette was a fine Dolly. But certainly not the most thrilling one.