HELLO, DOLLY! Previews

[DebraR]

Can't wait to hear more reports, the show sounds incredible!

[BroadwayConcierge]

I hate to be premature here, but from what it's already sounding like, seems like this year's Best Revival Tony is pretty set.

[Musical Master]

I take it that from these rave reports, that Jerry Zaks has redeemed himself after that insipid and miscast La Cage Aux Folles revival from 2004. Now I can't wait to see it this summer when both Bette and Donna are on.

[n2nbaby]

Gosh, I am SO EXCITED for this! Glad to hear row B in the balcony was great seating! Did anyone sit in row E?

Also, Dolly. I don't post often but I have always loved reading your posts and I am SO happy you loved the production. :)

[DebraR]

I went to the box office last week and was able to get 2 tickets on the extreme right (outside aisle) 3rd row for my daughter for April 5th.  I think if you go to the box office, you may have similar luck.  I don't think they showed up on the online ticket site.

Good luck, im so jealous of everyone who is getting to see this! 

 

 

disneybroadwayfan22 said: "Oh snap, I gotta get tickets somehow.

 

"

 

[BakerWilliams]

This was so good I don't even know what do with myself. I want to have some kind of dance party and just run singing through the streets. Haven't been this uplifted by a show since...maybe ever?

[MichelleCraig]

Whizzer, I remember Pearl Bailey, during the title number as she  danced over a catwalk over the orchestra... She acted as though she was winded and every time she passed by the conductor, she leaned over and said: "Slow down, honey!"...

This was the show that got me hooked.

[broadwayboy222]

Any stage door reports?? Did Bette sign for anyone?? I am also assuming that there will be no rush or lotto and SRO will begin at a later date? 

[10086sunset]

Makes me happy to read that Dollypop loved every moment. 

Enjoyed the show but didn't love it as much as the majority. 

The costumes, the colors were beautiful.  

Thought Miss Midler seemed shaky at first although she was much better in the second act. She owned the title song. She also owned the audience. 

Found DHP to be perfect. Thought he was the best part of the show.   

Creel is very good, so is Simard. 

There was a large amount of merchandise. T shirts with the logo, a red track jacket with the title on the front and a bright red t shirt that says "I Meddle." The poster was selling for $35.  They also were selling a plastic Playbill sleeve for $10. First time I've ever seen a Playbill sleeve sold at a theater.

This show is going to continue to print money. 

It will also clean up in June. Find it tough believing anyone will beat Midler and Pierce and Creel are equally deserving. 
 

[10086sunset]

broadwayboy222 said: "Any stage door reports?? Did Bette sign for anyone?? I am also assuming that there will be no rush or lotto and SRO will begin at a later date? "

 

From what I was told, she did not sign. The rest of the cast all did.

[jacobsnchz14]

If anyone happens to sit in or finds a view from the boxes (I am in left, B, 2) I would surely appreciate feedback. It's literally the only thing I found last night that wasn't a front row seat at a performance otherwise sold out. I'm lucky and exciting to be seeing my first production of Dolly no matter where I sit, but just want an idea so I'm not surprised. :)

[Trish2]

Great preview comments, everyone. But can someone elaborate on the dancing and choreography? Thanks!

[Robbie2]

[nrocke731]

I was there tonight as well! I sat Balcony Row B seat 10 and it offered an excellent view.  

Bette was absolutely on fire. She already had the audience during act one, but it was act two when she proved to us that she is a certified star. The title number was musical theatre porn. Then later she stole the show by simply eating dinner - you'll see. 

Gavin is wonderful and has a solid chance at a Tony, but there's still lots of shows coming.

DHP was hilarious and did the role in a way I did not expect. 

Really the whole supporting cast is perfectly cast, but the ensemble deserves a huge shoutout. Every dancer should be extremely proud of their work tonight.

Stage door - Bette came out and waved at everyone. She took some flowers from someone and then got in her car. It was freezing and I'm sure she's tired AF. Maybe in nicer weather she'll sign.

[nrocke731]

Oh, and someone asked earlier - the Dolly understudies are: Linda Mugleston and Jessica Sheridan

[Melissa25]

So great to hear all these wonderful reports.  I have tix for April 12...it's gonna be a long haul until then.  So excited!

[A Director]

ljay889 said:  As I said earlier, she plays the singing very safe, maintaining her stamina throughout the show. I would think the absence of any Merman song is to help preserve her performance throughout the week. She uses a lot of energy, especially in the title song.

Jerry Herman wrote the show in the hope Ethel Merman originate  Dolly.  When she finally played the role, songs written for her were added.  They haven't used in any other productions, so why would they be added for this production.

Dolly's songs don't call for belting, so why should Bette belt?  You think her singing is safe. Okay. At this point, Bette and the rest of the cast is still learning how much energy it takes to perform the show.

[bk]

Obviously most of those posting about how brilliant the eating scene is have never seen this show before.  It's a highlight of every production that recreates Gower's original staging.  And that must also be why not one person has commented on the staging - is it Gower's?

[bk]

Wilmingtom said: "I'm not sure why not commenting on rehearsals would be considered trolling,  But I still adore the Lost In Boston CDs.

 

"

I adore them, too :)  My point was not that you shouldn't comment on rehearsals - I agree with you.  But you said you were there on Saturday night in the other thread (someone posted the link) and said exactly what you said in this thread.  That was my point. 

[ljay889]

A Director said: "ljay889 said:  As I said earlier, she plays the singing very safe, maintaining her stamina throughout the show. I would think the absence of any Merman song is to help preserve her performance throughout the week. She uses a lot of energy, especially in the title song.

Jerry Herman wrote the show in the hope Ethel Merman originate  Dolly.  When she finally played the role, songs written for her were added.  They haven't used in any other productions, so why would they be added for this production.

Dolly's songs don't call for belting, so why should Bette belt?  You think her singing is safe. Okay. At this point, Bette and the rest of the cast is still learning how much energy it takes to perform the show.

 

"

There has been speculation since day one over whether they'd add one or both Merman songs or even "Just Leave Everything To Me." It was perfectly logical to think they might give her more to sing. I think it's refreshing she's singing the score as written. I didn't mean no belting as a negative. 

[NoName3]

A Director, back in the early 1970s. our local production featured a full-throated classically trained soprano who could have sung the Hell out of the Merman songs and our director asked to license them. We were told by Tams Witmark that Herman would never allow them to be licensed because they were written strictly for Merman. But I understand that today you can license them. I am open to correction.

Regardless, what I wanted to post about is Penny in My Pocket. It was originally performed out of town as the Act I finale. By all accounts I've read, David Burns was superb and brought the house down with it, but it was just wrong as the finale Champion wanted. Behind Herman's back, Merrick went to Adams and Strouse and asked them compose a parade number. They did and wrote a song called Before the Parade Passes By. When Herman found out about it, he went to Merrick and begged to compose his own parade number, which he did. Herman's parade song was eventually used. Nonetheless, for years the rumor circulated that Adams and Strouse had written Before the Parade Passes By. It became so controversial that Stouse himself eventually confirmed that it Herman's song was used, not his.

I am so delighted that Penny is back in the score and that DHP does a great job with it.

[sondheimfan3]

So exciting to read the thoughts of those who went tonight. Thank you for sharing them!

How was Beanie Feldstein as Minnie Fay? 

 

[NoName3]

And BK, I also adore your Lost in Boston albums and the Broadway Christmas album, among others, as well as your remastered albums of older shows. I used to post at and still read HomeTheaterForum.com and know you from there. Thanks for it all.

[brian1973]

All of these "What is the view like from.." messages are SO boring.

its like the people asking have never sat in a theatre before.

 

Anyway, glad to hear the first preview was so good, I don't imagine that any other actress this season can compete with the sheer star wattage and event that is Bette in Dolly, so surely that Tony is prettt much a dead cert for her. 

[bk]

NoName3 said: "And BK, I also adore your Lost in Boston albums and the Broadway Christmas album, among others, as well as your remastered albums of older shows. I used to post at and still read HomeTheaterForum.com and know you from there. Thanks for it all."

Thanks so much, so lovely of you to post this.  

 

[Johntlew2]

I was hoping to see some added songs or one written specially for Midler. Look forward to "Penny in My Pocket" in Act II.