Three Hello Dollys & Their Performances

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.

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.

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 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?

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 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.