Betty Buckley "DOLLY" opening in Cleveland/ Casting News ?

[adamgreer]

Assuming that means rehearsals have begun, we should be getting a cast announcement shortly, no?

[SomethingPeculiar]

adamgreer said: "Assuming that means rehearsals have begun, we should be getting a cast announcement shortly, no?"

Maybe some contracts are getting signed at the first rehearsal? I'm surprised it hasn't been announced yet (the leads, at least)

[dmwnc1959]

Getting closer... :)

https://www.broadwayworld.com/cleveland/article/Tickets-On-Sale-Friday-for-Betty-Buckley-Led-HELLO-DOLLY-20180723

[dmwnc1959]

My ticket came in the mail today!!!! Wooohooooo! The countdown begins... :)

 

[Steve C.]

...but still no casting news anywhere...strange esp, for Rudin

[DAME]

A little birdie told me Betty was seen  and heard rehearsing on the Shubert stage this morning.

[Bette's Turban]

DAME said: "A little birdie told me Betty was seen and heard rehearsing on the Shubert stage this morning."

There has definitely been a lot of stage door activity there this entire morning.  Maybe onstage tour principal final callbacks?  I am just guessing.  But lots of going in and out.

[SomethingPeculiar]

DAME said: "A little birdie told me Betty was seen and heard rehearsing on the Shubert stage this morning."

Alone? Or with her nameless tour co-stars?

I wonder if Rudin is trying to throw her in for one performance (an added show?) in the Broadway production, so he can advertise her performance as "straight from Broadway"?

[Bette's Turban]

SomethingPeculiar said: "DAME said: "A little birdie told me Betty was seen and heard rehearsing on the Shubert stage this morning."

Alone? Or with her nameless tour co-stars?

I wonder if Rudin is trying to throw her in for one performance (an added show?) in the Broadway production, so he can advertise her performance as "straight from Broadway"?"

I can't imagine he would do that.  Probably a final principals call back or a rehearsal.  If the same set is going on tour then it makes sense to take advantage of it.

[nealb1]

It could be any one of a number of things.  Perhaps commercials and press interviews are going on?  Who knows?  It's always so easy to speculate on things we know nothing about.  

[Bette's Turban]

nealb1 said: "It could be any one of a number of things. Perhaps commercials and press interviews are going on? Who knows? It's always so easy to speculate on things we know nothing about."

True.  But it is healthy speculation.  We are all just excited .

[QueenAlice]

Surely its to give Buckley a chance to rehearse a bit on the set -- namely that staircase.

[BwayLB]

I'm anxious to see who will be playing Horace and Cornelious

[Tag]

Perhaps they were doing production photos with her.  Even though Rudin doesn't like to release them, you can (EDIT: whoops CAN'T!) advertise the tour across the US with a pic of Bette.

[LizzieCurry]

Why would you do that? Isn't that why they used photos of not-Lane and Broderick for The Producers tour?

[dmwnc1959]

Today’s the day!!! “Single tickets for the National Tour starring Broadway legend Betty Buckley will go on sale Friday, July 27 at 11am. Tickets will be available at:

1) Playhouse Square Ticket Office (1519 Euclid Avenue in downtown Cleveland)


by visiting...

2) http://www.playhousesquare.org/events/detail/hello-dolly

3) or by calling 216-241-6000.”

[dmwnc1959]

Just thought of something...

I wonder if they will have “Betty Buckley” merchandise available in the early part of this National Tour Launch? The show runs from 9/30 - 10/21, and right now I’m only seeing it on 10/6. I’d love to get a “Hello, Dolly!” window card and magnet with her name on them to go with my Bernadette Peters and Bette Midler items. 

Do you think they’re already mass producing these and they’ll be ready on Day 1 in Cleveland? 

[broadwayboy222]

Two things:

1. According to several Instagram stories by several Carousel cast members, today marked Jess LeProtto's final day in Carousel. Which, I assume may mean that full cast rehearsals for Dolly will be ramping up very soon. 

2. On Garrett Hawe's story noting Jess's final show, his caption stated "Happy trails.... for now. " Which makes me wonder if Garrett may also be a member of the Dolly cast, especially considering that Garrett was also in the last Dolly tour with Sally Struthers as Barnaby. However, this does also make me question why Garrett wouldn't also be leaving Carousel at the same time as Jess, and why wouldn't have Renee Fleming have announced Garrett's name alongside Jess's at the B&N event, when discussing Jess's involvement in the Dolly tour? 

Just some info/theories I thought I'd share! Here to hoping for some kind of cast announcement soon!!

[TheSassySam]

Do you believe there's any chance of Gavin or Kate touring with the show?

[broadwayboy222]

As much as I'd burst with excitement if they were to, I'd say the chances are doubtful. Most higher profile Broadway actors such as Kate and Gavin don't typically do national tours. 

[Valentina3]

^ isn't Betty Buckley a high profile Broadway star too?

[SomethingPeculiar]

TheSassySam said: "Do you believe there's any chance of Gavin or Kate touring with the show?"
 

I honestly would not be shocked if Gavin toured with it. He did MORMON for 3-4 years between the touring, London, and Broadway productions. He'd be a nice addition to the tour and it would be another year of steady employment for him. He's also at a challenging age in which he looks/plays younger than he is; he's no longer an ingenue but isn't ready to play Dads yet. 

Kate is starring in the new Tom Kitt musical "Superhero" at 2nd Stage in the winter, which presumably has Bway aspirations. 

[BwayLB]

Actually I would be surprised if Gavin joins. The last time I saw him was in She Loves Me when it was telecast on PBS last year. If he does do Dolly again, I would be dying to see how he made Cornelius 100% his own character.

[adamgreer]

Who is Jess LeProtto going to be playing in Dolly? Ambrose?

[broadwayboy222]

I would not say Buckley is as high profile/demand of a Broadway name as Gavin or Kate, as it has been over 20 years since her last performance on a Broadway stage in Triumph of Love. Yes her career is very noteworthy, even iconic by some standards, but I would not put Buckley on the same level as Gavin and Kate in terms of current relevance and status on Broadway. However I am quite excited to see Buckley, as I have never seen her live and am quite a fan of hers!