Bette Midler Confirms Broadway Return in HELLO DOLLY

[AnnieBlack]

The stand-by thing has been a constant rumor that has never been actually said in any way by the production- I will be surprised if Rudin decides to do that

[AC126748]

If Bette only wanted to do 7 shows a week (and committed to appearing in every performance), wouldn't it be a better decision to only offer 7 performances a week? That's what they just did with Long Day's Journey Into Night.

[PalJoey]

 

I hope the standby is going to be someone who will give the production some 2016-Broadway multicultural credibility: not a Pearl Bailey/Cab Calloway thing where the whole cast is black, but an African-American or Latino or Asian standby for Bette Midler.

Hope's hoping for a color-blind Yonkers!

 

 

[sondheimfan2]

For the role of Cornelius, I'm wondering if they will take the comic actor path (like the OBC - Charles Nelson Reilly) instead of the romantic lead type (Jordan, et al. ). 

[smidge]

AnnieBlack said: "The stand-by thing has been a constant rumor that has never been actually said in any way by the production- I will be surprised if Rudin decides to do that

 

Isn't a standby different from an alternate? I doubt they'll have an alternate perform one show a week. But they will probably need a standby if Miss Midler becomes ill.

 

[wonderfulwizard11]

Barasch was pitch-perfect as Arpad and would make a terrific Barnaby. Plus, he's already worked with Warren Carlyle, so I'd be surprised if he wasn't being considered. 

[DAME]

PalJoey said: " 

I hope the standby is going to be someone who will give the production some 2016-Broadway multicultural credibility: not a Pearl Bailey/Cab Calloway thing where the whole cast is black, but an African-American or Latino or Asian standby for Bette Midler.

Hope's hoping for a color-blind Yonkers!

 

 

 

"

Olga Merediz ( from In The Heights)  is a formidable Dolly Levi.  I have seen her do it twice many years ago.  And I have never been able to forget it.   And along the multicultural sensibility would be a brilliant choice to standby for Bette.

[somethingwicked]

If Bette only wanted to do 7 shows a week (and committed to appearing in every performance), wouldn't it be a better decision to only offer 7 performances a week? That's what they just did with Long Day's Journey Into Night.

That's precisely what I've heard is being planned.

Klea Blackhurst was a wonderful Dolly at Goodspeed a few years ago. She'd be an ideal standby for Midler given how similar a presence they have.

[qolbinau]

In a 7 performance week what show do they typically miss? Wednesday or Saturday matinee?

[smidge]

Didn't Bette only do 7 shows for I'll Eat You Last? I remember she only did a 2:00 show on Wednesdays.

[SomethingPeculiar]

qolbinau said: "In a 7 performance week what show do they typically miss? Wednesday or Saturday matinee?

 

"

No 2 cases are the same. Sometimes it's a Tuesday to have 2 consecutive days off in a row, could be a Wednesday, for Phantom and Hamilton it's the Saturday mat. Bette is probably gonna do whatever she wants to do haha

[CurtainPullDowner]

Barnaby "should" be an amazing dancer. None of the above mentioned. Bolger, etc. are known as dancers.

 

But Bolger does look a lot like Jerry Dodge.

[TheSassySam]

Does anybody know if there will be a pre-sale for tickets?

[Valentina3]

neon said - "You're on the right track with Gavin Creel." 

If it is indeed Gavin Creel, I don't love the idea of him pursuing Kate Baldwin, but I'm curious to see it. Gavin was a fantastic Kodaly, but not for a second did he read like a "sleazeball" to me. I don't know how he would portray a lowkey virginal blue-collar worker. He is just...too classy. Oh well. 
 

Can Nicholas Barasch dance, if they tap him to play Barnaby?

[Auggie27]

I'd say it's a given the show will be cast with diversity, i.e. there's no reason not to, and the star would likely insist if no one else would.

[BWAY Baby2]

STOP THE COLOR COUNTING- IT IS OBNOXIOUS.

[Kad]

Then they should stop making it so easy by having the number be 0.

[Brian07663NJ]

Just this weekend a bunch of us were talking about what the prices of tickets will be for Hello Dolly with Bette. We agreed that we are going to have to be strong to take the "pounding" so what's the general consensus on what everyone will be using to get through it: silicon or water based?

[hork]

Kad said: "Then they should stop making it so easy by having the number be 0.

 

She Loves Me is closing soon, so ... done!

 

[smidge]

Brian07663NJ said: "Just this weekend a bunch of us were talking about what the prices of tickets will be for Hello Dolly with Bette. We agreed that we are going to have to be strong to take the "pounding" so what's the general consensus on what everyone will be using to get through it: silicon or water based?

This made me spit out my lunch. Whatever it is, I hope I enjoy the inevitable pain.

"

 

[BWAY Baby2]

O?  You gotta be kidding- look at this years Tonys.

[Brian07663NJ]

"This made me spit out my lunch. Whatever it is, I hope I enjoy the inevitable pain."

 

Yeah - the ticket sales will be far enough out that it is certain to be similar to how it hurts in the beginning and then the pain goes away so you can enjoy it. Just take a deep breath when it starts (when you purchase the tickets), relax once again (when you pay the credit card bill) and then you will be open enough to settle in for the ride (the night of the show). 

[wonderfulwizard11]

Auggie27 said: "I'd say it's a given the show will be cast with diversity, i.e. there's no reason not to, and the star would likely insist if no one else would."

I agree that it should be, but I don't think it's a given. Non-profits like the Roundabout and MTC have frequently been criticized by the lack of diversity on their stages, and yet (as in She Loves Me) still cast all white people. I'm not sure that a commercial revival, especially of a classic property, will be any different, I hope I'm wrong. 

[Valentina3]

It's a huge cast, let's not cry about lack of diversity before the auditions notices are even put up. Meanwhile... I can never not think of this when I listen to Hello Dolly now.

Annoying Actor Friend on twitter - "Can we take a moment for the fact that we live in a world where Dolly Levi enters the stage and immediately sings an anthem about fisting." 

https://twitter.com/Actor_Friend/status/749419415905538048

[PalJoey]

Well, after all, those lyrics were written by Jerry Herman, and he should know!

[smidge]

I would twist and stir a little for Gavin Creel.