Bette Midler Confirms Broadway Return in HELLO DOLLY

[Ranger Tom]

Is Zaks still doing this?  If so, then I'm betting on Nathan Lane to do the three shows when Bette's resting.

[Wilmingtom]

I very much doubt that Scott Rudin would be on board with his star doing only five performances.  Seven, maybe.  It's also unlikely that Midler would be on board with a major diva like Lupone of Peters spelling her for a performance or two, nor would they be the least bit interested in the assignment.  It will be a solid talent who won't cost as much as a "name," like what Karen Mason was to "Sunset Boulevard."

[Dollypop]

Wasn't' James Snyder already set for Cornelius?

[AnnieBlack]

Theoretically, who is to say that the show itself needs to 8 shows a week? With the premium tickets, the show could be in profit with 5 shows a week. 

[dramamama611]

Highly unlikely.

 

I also think there will be some outrage if she only does 5/week.  Getting tickets will be insane.

[Dollypop]

Pearl Bailey had Thelma Carpenter do the matinees when she played Dolly.

[Comden Green]

Stage Door Sally said: "My Dolly Dreamcast:

 
Dolly: The Divine Miss M
Horace: Tony Sheldon
Irene Malloy: Laura Benanti
Cornelius: Wesley Taylor
Barnaby: Nicholas Barasch
 

"

Yes, love Wesley Taylor.  

And saw Nicholas barasch this week in she loves me.  He really knocked it out of the park.  He is delightful.  Such a stage presence.    And, barnaby has essentially the same personality as arpad.  Does one worry about getting typecast at age 17?   Just rhetorical.  Anyone would jump at the chance to be in this show.  

[dramamama611]

Oh, I wouldn't be shocked if she didn't do all 8...or even offered a 7 show week....but to just over half?  WAY too many disappointed people.  I love Dolly, hell, I just directed it in the fall, but my reason for wanting to see this is Bette.

[givesmevoice]

dramamama611 said: "Oh, I wouldn't be shocked if she didn't do all 8...or even offered a 7 show week....but to just over half?  WAY too many disappointed people.  I love Dolly, hell, I just directed it in the fall, but my reason for wanting to see this is Bette."

I honestly would've been more surprised if she did a full eight-show-a-week schedule.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Barasch is perfection in SHE LOVES ME. I would love to see him show up here, and I think the exposure he'd have being in what's bound to be one of the biggest hits of the season would be enough reason to dispel any concerns about beibg typecast, especially since he is so young.

[QueenAlice]

I'm just passing on what I heard! Don't shoot the messenger. Time will tell if the rumor is true, but for the time being it sounds like Scott Rudin is 'looking' to see what options he might have as a star Dolly alternate. How about Whoopi Goldberg? 

I also could see a potential scenario in which there are only 7 shows a week and perhaps Bette only does 5, but if that is the case, and they don't get a name to do the other 2, the show will essentially have to be on a recoupment schedule that allows them to make their money primarily from a 5 show a week performance, which means you will be paying for it at the box office.  As it is, I wouldn't be surprised if when tickets go on sale, they are at a a record breaking high ticket price.

[somethingwicked]

Given what they're paying Midler and her additional profit participation, there's no way she's doing 5 shows a week. It's a financial model that would be completely implausible.

[QueenAlice]

I asume, if this rumor is true, her profit participation will be based on the number of shows she actually performs.  If they want to get a true 'name' to be her alternate, they might have to offer that star a similar deal structure.

[Cupid Boy2]

Queen Latifah's name has often come up when discussing Dolly, and I believe she's said she would not be interested in carrying a show 8 times a week. It'd be cool if they could get her or some other stars of her caliber to do limited engagements as the Dolly alternate. I know it's not likely to happen, but this really would be the perfect opportunity for names like that to take a crack at the Broadway stage without having to worry about the rigor and the commitment. 

[Mr Roxy]

Saw it with Pearl Bailey plus the movie and saw Midler in Vegas .No need to take money out of an IRA for tickets. Add to that , I would not want to see an old fashioned musical that might contain offensive songs with questionable lyrics. I must protect my ears from that.

[Kad]

Well, not seeing it certainly won't stop you from talking about it here, so it's really a wash for the rest of us.

[Mr Roxy]

I can imagine what you are saying Kad . Nothing good. It is a shame I can not read it. Keep plugging away at it. In life, people do not always agree with you. Get used to it.

[Valentina3]

You guys are soo catty, you could put Bette And Kim to shame.

 

I want to see the set design for this. Do we know who's doing it?

[Mr Roxy]

Kad always throws the first punch. I just counter punched.

 

If he continues, he will be shadow boxing. Fight is over here at least as far as I am concerned.

 

 

[QueenAlice]

I don't know if I actually read this, but isn't this  going to be more or less a recreation of the original 1964 production? Isn't that what Jerry Herman was insisting on?

[wonderfulwizard11]

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but in the EPA breakdown, Cornelius was listed as already having been cast- so I'd imagine it's someone fairly well known, since I doubt they'd have already cast a virtual unknown in only this role.

[Cupid Boy2]

QueenAlice said: "I don't know if I actually read this, but isn't this  going to be more or less a recreation of the original 1964 production? Isn't that what Jerry Herman was insisting on?"

I know that's how he wanted the rumored LuPone production to be mounted, which is why it never got off the ground. Perhaps he has changed his tune for a star of Midler's caliber.

 

[10086sunset]

QueenAlice said: "I'm just passing on what I heard! Don't shoot the messenger. Time will tell if the rumor is true, but for the time being it sounds like Scott Rudin is 'looking' to see what options he might have as a star Dolly alternate. How about Whoopi Goldberg? 

I also could see a potential scenario in which there are only 7 shows a week and perhaps Bette only does 5, but if that is the case, and they don't get a name to do the other 2, the show will essentially have to be on a recoupment schedule that allows them to make their money primarily from a 5 show a week performance, which means you will be paying for it at the box office.  As it is, I wouldn't be surprised if when tickets go on sale, they are at a a record breaking high ticket price.

 

"

Alice, I think you are right...Ticket prices will likely be very high. 

 

[Jshan05]

Already planning my NYC trip for next Spring for this one. I would also LOVE Nicholas Barasch for the role. He was wonderful in 'She Loves Me' so I hope he gets on the audition list!

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

I know she's a *huge* get for them so I guess anything can happen but I have a hard time seeing them go through with that. It'd be kind of silly. While the idea of a Broadway or TV/film/music name who isn't interested in committing to 8 shows a week or who is interested in being a part-time performer sounds fun, practically it would make no sense. This revival is built entirely around Bette Midler and that's who audiences will be expecting to see. In fact, it would make more sense to me if the show went dark when she isn't able to perform much like it happened when Hugh Jackman did THE BOY FROM OZ. There's just no point in pretending this isn't 100% a star vehicle, which is quite exciting in its own way since star-driven big Broadway musicals designed around someone as huge as Midler seem to be more of a rarity these days.

[wonderfulwizard11]

It wouldn't be very surprising to see Barasch involved in this- it's being choreographed by Warren Carlyle, who's worked with him on She Loves Me and Drood. He'd be a terrific Barnaby, so I'd be very surprised not to see him on the short list.