Why is Bette better than Patti?
Why is Bette better than Patti?
Zamedy154
Featured Actor Joined: 6/26/16
#1Why is Bette better than Patti?
Posted: 3/19/17 at 7:28am
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?
#2Why is Bette better than Patti?
Posted: 3/19/17 at 7:41am
As a fan of both, I would have tickets to see either of them as Dolly. My seats would likely be closer to the stage for Patti.
I do think the intersection of Bette's persona with that of Dolly just seems like a perfect fit. So, in her case, it is more about making sure it becomes a fully realized role and not Bette as The Divine Miss M as Sophia Tucker as Dolly. (Which, by the way, I would totally adore). That would please everyone, but for me to think I saw something transformational and historic, I need to see Bette use all of those skills to build something newish.
Whereas Patti doesn't have that arsenal (or baggage, depending on your perspective) of characters and would just get to see how she could create and interpret the role a bit more from scratch. So, we wouldn't necessarily know her choices as well in advance.
That said, at 67, one would hope that when Bette steps down from the role, this might be Patti's only chance to step in and do it, so... *fingerscrossed* Best of both worlds!
With a role like this, and the caliber of performer who will do it, the only expectation will be to get their unique take on it. I'm all for Hello Dolly turning into the Hedwig for every diva on Broadway. Get them all up there until we run out!
mtcond
Chorus Member Joined: 5/20/14
#3Why is Bette better than Patti?
Posted: 3/19/17 at 8:26am
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".
#4Why is Bette better than Patti?
Posted: 3/19/17 at 8:39am
Oooh. Maybe the Weisslers can share their Rolodex. Susan Lucci? Loni Anderson?
You think, what do you want?
You think, make a decision...
Updated On: 3/19/17 at 08:39 AM
Michael19
Understudy Joined: 3/3/11
#5Why is Bette better than Patti?
Posted: 3/19/17 at 9:34am
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.
Liza's Headband
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/28/13
#6Why is Bette better than Patti?
Posted: 3/19/17 at 9:35am
Oh my, Addison. So lovely to see you back here... where you belong!!!! xo
#7Why is Bette better than Patti?
Posted: 3/19/17 at 9:47am
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.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#9Why is Bette better than Patti?
Posted: 3/19/17 at 10:05am
I'm just glad that both of these amazing performers are still being given the chance to perform. I don't need to pick sides.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
Stage Door Sally
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/4/09
#10Why is Bette better than Patti?
Posted: 3/19/17 at 10:24am
Bette radiates an internal sense of humor making her perfect for musical comedy. Patti does not.
#11Comparisons Are Odorous
Posted: 3/19/17 at 2:21pm
Love Bette. Love Patti.
As Shakespeare said, "Comparisons are odorous."
#12Comparisons Are Odorous
Posted: 3/19/17 at 3:30pm
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.)
#13Comparisons Are Odorous
Posted: 3/19/17 at 3:41pm
Pal Joey: I absolutely love that quote and will be googling it's lineage in but a moment.
Before then, is there any real question that Bette is a bigger star than Patti (I love them both...but I don't think even La LuPone would question this fact). For that reason, Bette needed to be the catalyst for this production. Where it goes from here with other divas (and already has gone...Hello, Donna!) is anyone's guess.
And that makes me sooo excited!
#14Comparisons Are Odorous
Posted: 3/19/17 at 4:19pm
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.
#15Comparisons Are Odorous
Posted: 3/19/17 at 4:35pm
Bette likely wouldn't have had the chance to do this if the proposed LuPone revival directed by Jack O'Brien didn't fall through. Funny how things work out, now they're competitors. LuPone and O'Brien weren't interested in replicating the original production, as this new revival certainly does.
JaglinSays
Stand-by Joined: 5/22/14
#16Comparisons Are Odorous
Posted: 3/19/17 at 5:00pm
Interestingly, Patti is acting and singing rings around Midler over on 41st St.
#17Comparisons Are Odorous
Posted: 3/19/17 at 5:35pm
haterobics said: "I'm all for Hello Dolly turning into the Hedwig for every diva on Broadway. Get them all up there until we run out!"
Agreed same here! Do you think Barbra Streisand would do this on Broadway after Bette leaves at some point?
#18Comparisons Are Odorous
Posted: 3/19/17 at 10:22pm
I wonder how Lillias White would tackle this role...anybody else intrigued by the thought?
#19Comparisons Are Odorous
Posted: 3/19/17 at 10:42pm
Each lady is great at what she does.
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
