What, No Bette? — Page 3

Has it occurred to anyone that Rudin is actually doing this out of concern for the cast's safety? The "Hello, Dolly!" number is choreographed for that specific space at the Shubert Theater. One of the highlights of the number is the waiters leaping over the orchestra pit and landing on the ramp. Even the tiniest deviation in the space is jeapordizing the safety of the dancers. To do the number without the ramp is ludicrous. It didn't work at Foxwoods or at the Westbury Music Fair: two venues that didn't have the configurations for ramps.

Let Bette do "So Long Dearie".It's a number she can sell even in an arena like the Radio City Music Hall!

^ I really don't think that's the case, because a) there's no reason they have to do that number and b) if Pippin (or fill-in-the-blank much more physically difficult show) could do it in another theatre, and if Great Comet is going to, then Hello Dolly sure can.

Shows re-choreograph their dances / staging for special performances all the time.

That excuse seems weak.

I'm with PJ on this one: it's a sour note for this production.

If the cast of Falsettos, a show that closed in January, can reunite to perform on the Tony telecast, they really have no excuse.

Well I'm sure Bette will get her Tony just because this year is a somewhat weak field for eligible females. But I am afraid these shenanigans will hurt Gavin Creel's chances and that's a damned shame.

Does anyone seriously believe that if Midler wanted to do a number live from Radio City, they would refuse her? I have no idea what we're arguing about here. It's a bad decision, however it was determined. "Penny...", an in-one song no one knows, as a representative of this already legendary production is a dreadful idea. A "Dolly" sans Dolly -- and an event Dolly at that -- is a ludicrous way to serve the show's success or introduce it to the (paying) audience. I'd bet money this will be resolved in 48 hours.

I'd bet money this will be resolved in 48 hours.

Agree. (and hope so)

I admit my first thought was CZJ, too, and that she doesn't want to perform in that barn of Radio City, 3x the size of the theatre she's in now. Whether it's her nerves or Rudin trying to create mystery and continue to drive interest, it reeks of smugness.

Every show is best served in their own theatre - what on earth makes this show different? And if it's the safety of that number, then do PARADE.

Skimbleshanks2 said: "When does TONY voting close anyway?"



In the past ballots had to be submitted a week before the telecast, and I assume that holds true for this year as well.

I have to admit I was being sarcastic about hoping Bette and the production do not perform on the Tonys. True they are not obligated to perform on the show, but if you ask me (and I know you didn't, ha) this all smells like a finely timed stunt to generate even more publicity for the show (as if it needs it).

If Bette and company wind up performing on the telecast that is great.

If they wind up opting out of performing then it's just plain bad business.

I'm hoping they perform.

Bette won't be performing, she won't risk the live aspect in a space where she and the producers don't have complete control. She does the whole show with an ear piece in for christ's sake. They are trying to avoiding a CZJ moment understandably, but it is sad that it won't be recorded for history on the tony's as she obviously could do it and sound great. Very odd to do Hello Dolly without Dolly.

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