HELLO, DOLLY! Sets August 25 Closing Date; Bette Midler to Return July 17

[LesWickedly]

Looks like Gavin will return May 8th! 

https://twitter.com/shentonstage/status/987223424333434880?s=21 

[willep]

According to the article on BWW, Gavin is returning on May 8th.

 

ETA: didn’t see LesWickedly’s post as it was lost in the page turn.

[willrolandsframes]

This doesn’t make any sense whatsoever. The show has most certainly recouped and I’d presume it’s achieving much more than simply “meeting it’s nut” each week.

If anything, this wreaks of Rudin schemery.

[CT2NYC]

Damn them for announcing this so late last night! I was so amped up that I couldn't fall asleep, and now I'm exhausted this morning!

[Dollypop]

Life without DOLLY???????

[labellaragazza1]

Wow. The only thing I can say is I am shocked. I certainly expects this to run much longer, it’s such a wonderful production.

[dmwnc1959]

I’ve heard that Bernadette Peters is very good at her role as Dolly. Hopefully with the excitement of this announcement, and the possibility of reduced sales and empty seats, that won’t fade. And I’m sure that once I’m sitting in my seat and the show begins, I’ll be very excited.

But right now this is sort of a buzz kill. Being very flexible in my travel plans, and not seeing this coming, I booked my flight and hotel already for the end of next month, and was looking just last night and punching the BUY button on “The Band’s Visit”.

Now I’m looking at how many ways I can trim my trip (cutting that second show, not buying those next day visits to The Top of the Rock, and WTC Museum and Memorial) so that I can possibly afford a return to NYC to see this again with Bette Midler. 

[Call_me_jorge]

I wonder if they had someone else lined up, but they fell through. So this was plan B.

[rg7759]

See great comet, was that so hard?

[Jakeevan942]

I can actually see this being strategic on Rudin's part. Tickets for Bette's run go sale next Saturday at 10am. We all know that they will likely be gone by noon. Then he can start advertising that seeing the show now is your last chance to see it, as the final 6 weeks are sold out. Just a thought.

And closing in late August gives them just enough time to re-purpose some of the costumes and other stuff for the tour, and just long enough for some/all of the ensemblists to transition directly into the Production contract tour, if they want to keep working on the show.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Bummer.  Guess I should put my hopes of a Vanessa Williams and Brian Stokes Mitchell pairing aside.

I'm speculating that since August 25th is a Saturday, that they'll resort to their 7 performance show schedule and no Donna Murphy (who I gladly would have made the trip to see again in the role).

[MoveOnGypsy]

I saw Bette three times, Donna seven and Bernadette twice (once more on July 15th). I have no interest in seeing Bette again. She was great all three times I saw her but I enjoyed Donna and Bernadette much more. It's been a great show and had a fantastic run! This show brings so much joy to everyone it touches!

[east side story]

Color me disappointed, and for two reasons. 

[ellbellthomps]

Wow. I am shocked. 

[Liza's Headband]

The show recouped three weeks ago. It's not a massive cash show as some would think. 

[Telegram Spam]

willrolandsframes said: "This doesn’t make any sense whatsoever. The show has most certainly recouped and I’d presume it’s achieving much more than simply “meeting it’s nut” each week.

If anything, this wreaks of Rudin schemery."

 

I'm not surprised at this closing announcement. I passed by TKTS three Fridays ago and "Hello Dolly" was available. Moreover, it was during the spring break period, and only two hours before show time.

[GiantsInTheSky2]

This is disappointing. The show could have gone on much longer, with a variety of names going into various roles. It is such a great production and I find it a shame they’re folding, and bringing back Bette. 

[HogansHero]

You have to put yourself in the mind of Scott Rudin, and you also have to read the tea leaves. 

1. He was not going to parade a bunch of people through this. From the beginning it was all about the star and not the show. (And there was a reason for that.)

2. Peters offered a unique opportunity. She also lost half the money. Someone else would cause a further hit, and then the show would limp to an unceremonious closing. 

3. As has been said above, Midler's return will sell out immediately. That then puts Peters right back where she was demand-wise. 

4. Rudin made the announcement on the night of the MFL reviews. That was not a coincidence; it's pure Rudin: NB he has a reason not to be nice to MFL. (Which has likely just rained on his parade, if you will excuse the mixed metaphor.)

[Phillytheatreguy10]

I wonder if there’s any chance Buckley will take Murphy’s schedule when Bette returns?

[dramamama611]

It's very easy for us to say it should have run longer with a litany of great older actresses....well, either those same actresses aren't interested, and/or Rudin felt he couldn't afford them.  (Especially if they JUST re-couped as Liza stated.   

Really good revivals usually last between a year and 18 months.  (Obviously, Chicago can't be in included in that "average".) 

While I loved the show (and Donna was my favorite) I'm going to be glad it was, instead of bemoan it's end.

 

[IdinaBellFoster]

Liza's Headband said: "The show recouped three weeks ago. It's not a massive cash show as some would think."

This makes sense. Bette coming back for a limited time will help give the investors a last minute cash surge post-recouping. 

I wish the show could go on and on, but I'd rather see it go out with a bang rather than a fizzle. Happy Creel is returning earlier - bought tickets to see Bernadette for June, but also wanted to see him again. 

[WaffleOnWheels]

First off, wow. There was a lot of missed potential for our enjoyment, but I guess this makes some sense business wise. 

I'm not experienced in this, so how much will tickets go on sale for? Since this is obviously going to be a high demand event, will the prices start higher, or is it just a matter of getting them before they go? Thanks. 

[everythingtaboo]

Well my prediction was always that the show would do a small extension to close Labor Day, either with Bernadette extending or Betty doing a pre-tour engagement. I never saw this coming!

[disneybroadwayfan22]

The f?!?!

[Stage Door Sally]

Well, guess it's not so bad that I missed out buying tickets for what was supposed to be Bette's farewell performance in January. Maybe I can get one more chance to see Bette.