Why is Bette better than Patti?

As we know, there was a lot of talk, rumors snd suggestions through the years about the prefect Dolly if there ever was a revival. Here we finally get one with Bette, at a time when Patti is starring in another musical. Her name was also connected to a revival over the years (along with Bernadette, Queen Latifah, who else?).

Outside of the bigger box office draw, curious to read what others think Bette radiates from that stage in this role that Patti could not? Aside from the vocal chops at this point in their careers, why is Bette the more perfect for over Ms. LuPone?

I don't think it's necessarily a matter of "better". Midler brings to the revival not only her talent and persona, but the sense of an event. An international superstar in (arguably) the last chapter of her career, back to the Broadway stage after an absence of decades in a role that seems on the page to be crafted for her brand of warmth, outrageousness, and wit. Combine that with the fact that Broadway has not seen "Dolly" on stage with a star other than Channing in many a moon, and you have the ingredients for a box-office bonanza. While Patti is a great musical star and would be of interest to many in the role, she would not garner the frenzy of attention that Midler has.

But you only have to take a glance at the scale of this revival and the love and care that has gone into every choice to see that the producers hope for a life beyond Midler. They didn't build that TRAIN to be there for just one year! I think we will see a parade of leading ladies come down the Harmonia Gardens staircase. The role can accommodate many personalities (as it showed in its original run), and I'm hoping we'll get to see the likes of Lupone, Peters, Queen Latifah, Audra, et al. "put their hand in".

The question surprised me because the answer is so obvious, Dolly is a tremendously warm character and there is no warmer performer than Bette who brings a tremendous amount of heart and affection to the stage. No current performer comes close....you would have to look to Carol Channing, Judy Holliday, Mary Martin or possibly Gwen for comparable personalities. Patti is definitely not part of this group. Patti can be brilliant, but is far chillier as a performer and this characteristic worked brilliantly in Evita, unquestionably her greatest performance. I don't think any other part allowed her to soar as she did in Evita which so closely matched her personality.

I haven't seen the performance so I can't comment on who's "better" but Bette is an international star. Patti is a Broadway star. Bette brings a sense of this being an "event" to the proceedings (and a whole lot more $$$ to the box office), that LuPone never could.

Bette radiates an internal sense of humor making her perfect for musical comedy. Patti does not.

One is not better than the other. IMO Patti is the better actor, but they are equals in the singing department. Midler is a massive household name and an American icon. Patti Lupone, while one of Broadway's top divas, does not quite match Midler's star quality. Patti could headline Dolly and it would sell very well, but it would probably not sell out the way that Midler's Dolly is. I would love to see this show be a place where great Broadway divas take on the role for a few months. I mean think of all the incredible actresses that could play that part (Patti Lupone, Christine Ebersole, Bernadette Peters, Tonya Pinkins, Chita Rivera, Carolee Carmello, Faith Prince, Alice Ripley, etc.)

IMO, Midler had a great singing voice in her prime. That's not the case anymore. LuPone could now sing circles around Bette. Midler seems to vocally tire more quickly now, as evidenced in the times I saw her in Vegas, on her last tour and even the first preview of HD.

Clearly, Midler is the star draw. She's a globally known celebrity. That in itself will sell tickets.

Would I like to see LuPone do it? In a heartbeat... She'd knock it out of the park, both in acting and singing. I disagree with whoever said that she can't play warm, vulnerable and funny. Clearly, they aren't familiar with her larger body of work. She can easily play that character.

Interestingly, Patti is acting and singing rings around Midler over on 41st St.

I wonder how Lillias White would tackle this role...anybody else intrigued by the thought?