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

[ChgoTheatreGuy]

I didn't say that I was ready to hate it.  I have seen every film she has made and seen her perform live over 15 times.  I know that she has a certain shtick to her performances.  She has been criticized by her co-stars for chewing scenery and overacting.  I can safely say that I have just as much right to have an opinion about her as the next person...

[DAME]

She is sensational in the show. Worth every penny and I will be going again.

[electrode10]

I missed Donna the first time around because I had planned on seeing her in her final week, but then got sick. Selfishly, I'm hoping she'll return even though I feel like it's unlikely. Caught Bette and loved her of course. Hoping to make a return.

[BuddyStarr]

It's interesting that I live in NYC (theatre district too) and only read about this on here.  None of the places I was at this past weekend was talking about it and didn't read about it in the times on Friday or Monday but I did see that tickets were still available at TKTS and TDF for the current Dolly.

[VintageSnarker]

Has anyone tried TDF recently? It used to have a line about the balcony but now it says "Accessibility: Seating may be in the mezzanine; there is no elevator in this historic theatre."

I would like to take my parents before Bernadette leaves and I'm curious what would offer the best seats. I'd either rush and give them the tickets or go through TDF and get 3.

[haterobics]

So no word of any AMEX pre-sales or anything for Bette? Just Saturday?

[BWAY Baby2]

Count me as not a fan of Hello, Dolly. Missed it when I was a kid- never attracted to it- saw it with Channing on one of her Bway revivals- it was very campy but marginal fun. Barely enjoyed the movie- and LOVE Barbra. Saw Bette from row 3 center- and love Bette- have seen her many times live- she was funny in the turkey eating scene- I laughed my ass off- but the plot is so light and the characters such caricatures- not real people- this is pure entertainment without much depth at all. I like depth in my theater- with a story to touch my heart and make me feel and think. Dolly is lightweight all the way. Personally, glad I saw it with Bette- could not miss that one- but would I recommend it? NO.

[haterobics]

BWAY Baby2 said: "this is pure entertainment without much depth at all."

Calling something pure entertainment is hardly damning.

But it does make one wonder, how many times will you not like Dolly before you stop seeing it? You barely enjoyed the movie, had marginal fun with Channing, and only like Bette when she's eating? Maybe stop trying to like this show? I mean, put on your Sunday clothes, there's lots of shows out there...

[BuddyStarr]

BWAY Baby2 said: "... this is pure entertainment without much depth at all. I like depth in my theater- with a story to touch my heart and make me feel and think. Dolly is lightweight all the way. Personally, glad I saw it with Bette- could not miss that one- but would I recommend it? NO."

You are exactly right.  There isn't much dimension to Dolly.  When I first did HD the director told us "The plot is basic, people are coming to see the show for the costumes, scenery and production numbers, smile, learn your steps and sing out" However, I was surprised by David Hyde Pierce as Horace, he brought something to the role that I hadn't seen any performance of Horace.  Likewise, Donna Murphy brought another dimension to Dolly that Bette nor Bernadette didn't.  HD is pure escapism theatre and sometimes it's welcoming when the outside world is all TOO real.

[BWAY Baby2]

Well, I had to see Bette as Dolly- would not have seen it without Bette- and to be honest- would actually see it again because I love Bernadette- I do not love the play- and really do not love the music- but when Bette- or Bernadette- or a few others -Audra to name another one- is performing- I just have to see it. You know what I saw recently that I LOVED- Iceman Cometh- I love drama and depth- loved My Fair Lady, too. And walked out of The Play That Goes Wrong in London- after fifteen minutes- would have left sooner but my brother wanted to give it a bit more time.

[DAME]

Light and funny . Perfect for now . And I love my shows in all types of genre . Just as long as they are good . G-d bless Bette for bringing Dolly back ! No Bette=No Dolly=No Donna in Dolly=No Bernadette in Dolly=No Betty on tour.

[haterobics]

BWAY Baby2 said: "You know what I saw recently that I LOVED- Iceman Cometh- I love drama and depth- loved My Fair Lady, too. And walked out of The Play That Goes Wrong"

If you like depth, this seems like something you could have sorted out well in advance. Hmm, a comedic farce... maybe it will have a lot of depth and existential touches woven in?

[haterobics]

DAME said: "No Bette=No Dolly=No Donna in Dolly=No Bernadette in Dolly=No Betty on tour."

Exactly. Not sure why any reference to Bette brings out all the anti-Bette people? Like, didn't they get all this out of their systems all of last year? If you don't like her, skip these 42 shows and you'll be fine.

[Miles2Go2]

I like quality musicals whether they be lighter fare or more deep thought-provoking productions. For instance, I saw six shows in November and my favorite two shows were Hello, Dolly! (with Bette) and The Band’s Visit. I was in NYC for just a few hours in February and saw Hello, Dolly! again with Bernadette and loved it all over again. That being said, I’m going to NYC in June and feel no need to revisit Dolly. I’d likely feel that way even if I was there after Bette returns to the show. Nothing against Bette or Dolly, but when I only get to NYC one to three times a year, I have to prioritize seeing newer productions over shows I’ve already seen. Now if Audra had been the new Dolly, I’d been all over that! Once again in June I’m seeing a variety of (eight, hopefully) productions ranging from the deep (Angels in America, Three Tall Women) to the silly (Spongebob) and shows somewhere in between (My Fair Lady).

[Browneyes142]

VintageSnarker said: "Has anyone tried TDF recently? It used to have a line about the balcony but now it says "Accessibility: Seating may be in the mezzanine; there is no elevator in this historic theatre."

I would like to take my parents before Bernadette leaves and I'm curious what would offer the best seats. I'd either rush and give them the tickets or go through TDF and get 3. "

I'll let you know. I just got seats on TDF for May 3 (had to refresh for an hour before snagging). It still has the disclaimer.

[ACL2006]

still curious what Bette's schedule will be once she returns and if she'll have an alternate again.

[Papi2013]

ACL2006 said: "still curious what Bette's schedule will be once she returns and if she'll have an alternate again."

I wonder if this time she is doing all 8 since it is such a short run.  

[dmwnc1959]

DAME said: "Light and funny . Perfect for now . And I love my shows in all types of genre . Just as long as they are good ."

haterobics said: "Calling something pure entertainment is hardly damning."

BuddyStarr said: "HD is pure escapism theatre and sometimes it's welcoming when the outside world is all TOO real."

Well said. I’ve only seen 15 shows since Jan. 2017 (and have 4 booked in the next 3 months). And I’ve already seen shows with depth and meaning, cried at the heartache and humanity being portrayed on stage, where I walked away reflecting on my own life and contemplated the meaning of life, why the world is the way it is, and shows that make me want to be a better human. 

Occasionally I want escapism theatre. Pure entertainment, light and funny, without much depth. To sit there and not have to think. Just enjoy the show. And I plan to do just that. “Hello, Dolly!” here I come!!!

[msmp]

ACL2006 said: "still curious what Bette's schedule will be once she returns and if she'll have an alternate again."

Would it be worth it to bring in an alternate for just six shows?

[Relevance81491]

Im curious when the tickets will go onsale.  I read the 28th in multiple articles about Bette's return, but when I called Telecharge to see if they knew what time or pricing, all the rep would say is that "we can not confrirm an onsale date".  Im hoping that the particular rep i spoke with was simply incompetent and i can get a clearer answer when i call back tomorrow, otherwise Im just gong to have to swing by the box office

[Robbie2]

Relevance81491 said: "Im curious when the tickets will go onsale. I read the 28th in multiplearticles about Bette's return, but when I called Telecharge to see if they knew what time or pricing, all the rep would say is that "we can not confrirm an onsale date". Im hoping that the particular rep i spoke with was simplyincompetent andi can get a cleareranswer when i call back tomorrow, otherwise Im just gong to have to swing by the box office"

why is she incompetent...she doesn't know and probably they won't know till the day before or day of

[haterobics]

Relevance81491 said: "Im curious when the tickets will go onsale. I read the 28th in multiplearticles about Bette's return, but when I called Telecharge to see if they knew what time or pricing, all the rep would say is that "we can not confrirm an onsale date". Im hoping that the particular rep i spoke with was simplyincompetent andi can get a cleareranswer when i call back tomorrow, otherwise Im just gong to have to swing by the box office"

Everyone knows what was in the press release and nothing more:

"Tickets for Ms. Midler's return go on sale Saturday, April 28 at 10:00 AM ET and can be purchased online at HelloDollyOnBroadway.com, via Telecharge.com or at 212 239 6200, or in person at the Shubert Theatre box office (225 West 44th Street)."

Anything you want to know beyond that is not yet known.

[Relevance81491]

Robbie2 said: "Relevance81491 said: "Im curious when the tickets will go onsale. I read the 28th in multiplearticles about Bette's return, but when I called Telecharge to see if they knew what time or pricing, all the rep would say is that "we can not confrirm an onsale date". Im hoping that the particular rep i spoke with was simplyincompetent andi can get a cleareranswer when i call back tomorrow, otherwise Im just gong to have to swing by the box office"

why is she incompetent...she doesn't know and probably they won't know till the day before or day of"

 

The rep i spoke to was incompetent because he should have atlas confirmed the on sale date and time that has already been released to the public.

When I called before Bette's original onsale, the rep gave me the onsale day/time and price breakdown by seat section and it really helped me out when it was time to actually purchase tickets (sounds silly, I know, but I like to have as much information as possible heading into a major on sale such as this)

 

[haterobics]

Relevance81491 said: "When I called before Bette's original onsale, the rep gave me the onsale day/time and price breakdown by seat section and it really helped me out when it was time to actually purchase tickets (sounds silly, I know, but I like to have as much information as possible heading into a major on sale such as this)"

Yes, but there has been no evidence from anyone that they know or have any of that info in advance this time. We all want it, but no one has it. Since Telecharge's official website has no info that tickets will be available after Bernadette's run, or that Bette is returning, that is all they know at this time.

[Larry6417]

You haven't seen this production of HELLO DOLLY if you haven't seen Donna Murphy and Bernadette Peters in it.

I love Bette, but Bernadette and Donna are mining the script for more "gold" and their performances reflect that.