HELLO, DOLLY! Previews

[haterobics]

Auggie27 said: "Is the balcony generally more available (understanding that every ticket is tight)?  Meaning, sooner? I'm remembering early days of "Spamalot" in the same house. If you were willing to sit in the balcony, you could get seats at the box office months earlier. The pricier seats were the tough ones.  Is it true here?"

As I've poked around, I never saw a date in the next few months that had any balcony seats. I think those were the first to go, and not where they would hold for premiums or anything else, so I think the whole balcony was sold early on.

That said, they did release more side orchestra recently for the whole run, I'm guessing once the show was loaded in...

[somethingwicked]

Auggie27, because the balcony seats were/are the cheapest tickets available, they went first. A friend looked for a single seat in the balcony the other day and the first available date he was given was a Donna Murphy performance in June.

[luvcaroline]

Zamedy154 said: "I've been literally moved to giddy gay boy tears reading these reviews. This musical was my first in high school and it literally changed my life, opening the door to all new friends still with me 20 years later. I was officially an 'outed' music nerd. I had found my family.

Needless to say, I'm beyond happy (and extremely jealous) of everyone seeing this incredible production. I've been listening to the OBC for the past two months while getting ready for work. The title song is one of THE GREATEST works of art in Broadway history. For those who have seen it, do you get chills and goosebumps as you are watching this song preformed by a true legend? Just listening to that banjo right before the final reprise, followed immediately by that reprise, makes the hair stand up on my arms. Every. Time. I hope the banjo (is it a banjo? I apologize for my instrumental ignorance) is still in there.

IMO, the OBC of the title song is much more impactful than what so many more people have heard on the movie soundtrack.

Seeing Bette in 2017 performing this song on Broadway in all her glory must be pure HEAVEN. 

There go those chills again. 

Zamedy, it is everything that you would want and more. Not only was I getting chills, but I had tears through much of that number (I also had tears during Put On Your Sunday Clothes). You are absolutely correct to say that the recording doesn't do the title song justice. Seeing it performed by Bette and that ensemble is truly one of the great moments of my long theatre-going life, and the reason that half of the audience jumped to their feet before the number was even over. I defy anyone on these boards to not be overwhelmingly moved during that song (there was even applause when the staircase/ restaurant set was first revealed!)



 

 

 

 

"

 

[luvcaroline]

BrodyFosse123 said: "(Obviously, Midler playing Dolly will be different from Midler playing her Divine Miss M character in concert.)

Bette is actually playing Dolly Levi in her Divine Miss M persona, which is a smart choice.  She plays her scenes and delivers her lines in delicious Divine Miss M fabulousness.  Even her facial expressions, etc.  

 

This is absolutely correct, and it is the only way she could play it, at least for me (I've seen Bette live twice, once during one of her arena tours in the 80s and once in Vegas).       Each time Dolly told a story about Ephraim, I thought she was going to tell a Sophie Tucker joke!  It was marvelous!

 

"

 

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Conjures up images of "I will nev-uh forget it, ya know... I was talkin' to mah baw-friend Ephraim..."

[MoveOnGypsy]

Can anyone provide the song list for the show? I recall reading somewhere that there is a different opening number than the prologue.

[Wilmingtom]

BTW the "ramp" around the orchestra pit is called a passerelle and was part of Champion and designer Oliver Smith's original production and has been employed in every Bway revival since.  Pearl Bailey, who was know the break the forth wall, famously said when she strutted onto the passerelle during the title song, "Pearly Mae's gonna take the ramp!"

[RagtimeRay]

Still looking forward to all of Dollypop's thoughts on this new production.

[BrodyFosse123]

Nothing new has been added aside from the Act 2 opener "Penny in My Pocket."  "I Put My Hand In" is still the first song in the show."

[wewdie]

Hello,

Would the back of the orchestra be a good seat for this production?  I've never been in the Shubert before.

-Eddie

[youcantnotloveme]

I have been a member of the message boards here for quite a while but I rarely post. 

I was at the performance last night and loved everything about it. The one thing that stood out to me though was a serious concern as to whether Bette will have the vocal longevity to perform this show 7 shows a week. She sounded good last night but there we more than a few times where she seemed to be really struggling to hit certain notes. Does anyone else have these concerns?

[DAME]

RagtimeRay said: "Still looking forward to all of Dollypop's thoughts on this new production.

 

"

Same here.  

[ljay889]

youcantnotloveme said: "I have been a member of the message boards here for quite a while but I rarely post. 

I was at the performance last night and loved everything about it. The one thing that stood out to me though was a serious concern as to whether Bette will have the vocal longevity to perform this show 7 shows a week. She sounded good last night but there we more than a few times where she seemed to be really struggling to hit certain notes. Does anyone else have these concerns?

"

I touched on this earlier. I believe she's playing it safe vocally to maintain her longevity 7 times a week. I also believe this is why no additional songs were added for it. I didn't hear any struggle at the first preview though, I think using the low Channing keys (I believe they are) will be a help for her throughout this run. 

[Johntlew2]

Kate Baldwin has played the part of Irene Malloy a couple times...at the St. Louis Muny and the Papermill Playhouse.





 

[DAME]

youcantnotloveme said: "I have been a member of the message boards here for quite a while but I rarely post. 

I was at the performance last night and loved everything about it. The one thing that stood out to me though was a serious concern as to whether Bette will have the vocal longevity to perform this show 7 shows a week. She sounded good last night but there we more than a few times where she seemed to be really struggling to hit certain notes. Does anyone else have these concerns?"

 

 

I don't think you have anything to worry about.  Bette has toured for years and till very  recently.   Her tours have always been very high energy and vocally demanding.  She knows how to take care of herself.  From what I understand she has quite the exercise regimen all to do with her voice.  I remember her talking about it during her Divine Intervention tour.  She is very self aware of her voice, her age, and her limitations. 

 

 

[QueenAlice]

Probably worth remembering too that the cast is still rehearsing during the day while performing the show at night - it's a bit of a grueling schedule . I'm sure Bette will pace herself. Loving all the great reports and can't wait to see the show on the 28th!

[imeldasturn]

When is Donna's first performance?

[PalJoey]

Donna's first performance is the Tuesday night after the Tony Awards.

I just bought two tickets for Wednesday.

 

[Theater_Nerd]

Thanks to each and everyone of you for your reviews. I'm going next Wednesday! So excited! 

We need this show.

Especially now.

[IdinaBellFoster]

PalJoey said: "Donna's first performance is the Tuesday night after the Tony Awards.

I just bought two tickets for Wednesday."

As did I! It's going to be quite the performance.

[Trish2]

Our pal and my go to "reviewer" WhizzerMarvin gets the last line of Page Six in the NY POST!

Though only credited as a "superfan" we all know who he is!

Congratulations, Whizzer!

NY POST Page Six

....Meanwhile, one superfan at the first preview commented online that he was “on the verge of tears” during the revival and it was all “too much for my poor little gay heart to handle.”

[Auggie27]

Yup. Via box office: 2nd row center balcony, 8/31.

[DAME]

I am in the front Mezz that performance as well.  At that point it will be my third time seeing the show.

[luvcaroline]

Trish2 said: "Our pal and my go to "reviewer" WhizzerMarvin gets the last line of Page Six in today's NY POST!

Though only credited as a "superfan" we all who he is!

Congratulations, Whizzer!

NY POST Page Six

....Meanwhile, one superfan at the first preview commented online that he was “on the verge of tears” during the revival and it was all “too much for my poor little gay heart to handle.”

 

Yippee, Whizzer!!

 

[Theater_Nerd]

To pnewelljr, the board member who didn't quite understand why Bette is such a big deal. You only need to know that on the strength of her name alone this production raked in a $40 million advance in ticket sales - - - the largest of any show in Broadway history! 

This production now has the luxury of not having to do press to promote the show. 

That is a testament to the Divine Miss M's star power.

I urge you to familiarize yourself with Midler's work. I guarantee you will not be disappointed - and for heaven's sake, if you can get yourself a ticket to the show and witness her live in all her glory. 



 

[Jarethan]

wewdie said: "Hello,

Would the back of the orchestra be a good seat for this production?  I've never been in the Shubert before.

-Eddie

It'll be fine.  I stood for A Chorus Line 5 or 6 times and thought the view was great.  Plus, that far back, even if you are on the side, you'll have a great view.