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

[jayinchelsea]

I admit to curiosity, but not enough to buy tickets. Buckley can certainly sing this role, and I've always admired her as a dramatic actress. But a comedienne? A Channing or a Bailey or a Merman or a Midler or a Peters? Really? Will wait to see...

[EthelMae]

I agree jay but I’m off to Utica Tuesday to see for myself!

[n2nbaby]

I will also be there on Tuesday!

[broadwayboy222]

Anyone think we will get a picture of Betty in the red dress like we did for Bette and Bernadette to commemorate the first preview tommorow?? So excited to hear reports from tomorrow night’s show!!

[Call_me_jorge]

I guess we won’t know for sure until tomorrow, but I wonder if the passerelle will extend far enough for the first row of the audience to get to shake Betty’s hand

[broadwayboy222]

Interesting. From this picture on Instagram, it seems that the passarelle, is included, but the opening where the pit is, seems much smaller to me than the one on Broadway. Was anyone in attendance at the invited dress tonight? I’m just a little excited about this tour, if you couldn’t already tell..... ????

https://www.instagram.com/p/BoIhhU7AP4p/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=vm523r5931nj

[dmwnc1959]

Call_me_jorge said: "I guess we won’t know for sure until tomorrow, but I wonder if the passerelle will extend far enough for the first row of the audience to get to shake Betty’s hand"

From the picture linked by broadwayboy222, and one other on the Stanley Theater Instagram, it does not appear so. The distance from the edge of the passerelle to the railing in front of the first row looks to be about 10-15’? At least those in the front rows will still have a great view. 

 

[n2nbaby]

Tonight is the night! So excited!! If anyone sees me, say hi!

[EthelMae]

All aboard!! I’m on the train to Utica. Everyone have fun tonight! I’m seeing tomorrow’s performance. Still can’t believe I’m seeing Dolly again! The theatre looks glorious from the pictures on line. It’s funny. I have the same feeling I had with Donna Murphy. I had no idea what she would be like in the role and, of course, she was wonderful. Midler, Merman, Streisand- you could sort of have an idea what they might be like. No idea what Betty Buckley will be like and that makes this trip even more exciting.

[Auggie27]

The passerelle looks terrific. Even if it's more of an apron with a small opening, it's very close to the look for B'way. After all, it has to tour. (Did they use the original drops? Any of the NY production pieces? Anyone know?) 

[n2nbaby]

Auggie27 said: "The passerelle looks terrific. Even if it's more of an apron with a small opening, it's very close to the look for B'way. After all, it has to tour. (Did they use the original drops? Any of the NY production pieces? Anyone know?)"

I remember reading an article stating that the props/drops would be in Utica only a few days after closing, so I’m assuming so!

[geoffreyC]

She seems like an odd choice for this particular role.

[Call_me_jorge]

Wonder if she had to audition in front of Zaks and the creative team or if Rudin just made her an offer.

[Robbie2]

n2nbaby said: "Tonight is the night! So excited!! If anyone sees me, say hi!"

ethel mae said: "All aboard!! I’m on the train to Utica. Everyone have fun tonight! I’m seeing tomorrow’s performance. Still can’t believe I’m seeing Dolly again! The theatre looks glorious from the pictures on line. It’s funny. I have the same feeling I had with Donna Murphy. I had no idea what she would be like in the role and, of course, she was wonderful. Midler, Merman, Streisand- you could sort of have an idea what they might be like. No idea what Betty Buckley will be like and that makes this trip even more exciting."

 

Lucky you! Report back tonight!!!

 

 

[SomethingPeculiar]

That doesn't look like it's a passerelle -- you can see the musicians and instruments sitting in front of the stage in that pic. It doesn't even look like there's a hole, just a little difference in the floor texture. At the Shubert, the passerelle fully enclosed the pit so you could only see the conductor and a little bit of the orchestra from the mezz, with the novelty being that the dancers jump over the orchestra. 

BUT it hasn't even started previews yet and that's just one photo, so maybe it will be fixed? Or it could vary from city to city depending on the pit layout? Do report back, people going tonight!

[n2nbaby]

Standing by the merch. A lot of it is the same as the Broadway production. They have a tote that says “BETTY BUCKLEY HELLO DOLLY,” a t-shirt like the Broadway one that says “HELLO DOLLY NATIONAL TOUR” and on the back it says “BEFORE THE PARADE PASSES BY” and the tour dates. They also have a beanie, which I don’t remember seeing on Broadway.

[SomethingPeculiar]

n2nbaby said: "They also have a beanie, which I don’t remember seeing on Broadway."

Beanie was great on Broadway ! But she left the show to go promote Lady Bird after Bette's initial run.

 

[SmokeyLady]

From the picture it looks like a fake pasarelle?

[n2nbaby]

SmokeyLady said: "From the picture it looks like a fake pasarelle?"

It is definitely fake. Will post thoughts soon but if this is coming near you, RUN.

[CT2NYC]

n2nbaby said: "SmokeyLady said: "From the picture it looks like a fake pasarelle?"

It is definitely fake. Will post thoughts soon but if this is coming near you, RUN."

Run to it, or run away from it?

[n2nbaby]

To it!

[bwayboy22]

Here's a photo of the merch booth from instagram!

https://imgur.com/a/hAoHO9v

[n2nbaby]

I’m finally home so here are some thoughts:

This tour is in great shape. It’s almost an exact replica of the Broadway save for a few things. The pasarelle was definitely fake (I walked up front during intermission) but doesn’t look like it’s fake during the show. Betty catches the baton during Parade off stage. The back drops during Elegance are multiple back drops behind each other instead of one giant one. It seemed like something was different about the hat shop set but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Irene and Minnie never walk through the door when she says “push,” the walk around it and Irene pushes that set piece around and then it moves back by itself.

Lewis J. Stadlen was an excellent Horace and probably my favorite out of the three I’ve seen. He was hilarious and he wasn’t one dimensional in the slightest, which is the complete opposite of how I felt about Victor’s performance.

Nic Rouleau was good, though not great. He reads incredibly young. His vocals were excellent but there was just something a bit off about his performance, it made me miss Gavin. Jess LeProtto was excellent and adorable and I fell in love with him. They keep his dance break during “Dancing.” Kristen Dunn was very good but she read VERY old, I’m not sure if it is from where I was sitting or if it was her accent, but she almost seemed like Irene’s grandmother. Analisa Leaming was also excellent and a big highlight.

Now, on to Betty Buckley. I’ve never seen her live before, so this was a treat. She plays Dolly very differently from Bette and Bernadette (I didn’t have a chance to see Donna). Betty’s Dolly has a very dry sense of humor and I would say she nailed about 75% of it. She seemed a bit uncomfortable at first, it just seemed like she was ACTING! but she grew into the role quickly and was incredibly fun and charming. I have no doubt she will grow into the role. As of now, she’s giving a very good, very charming performance. I missed all of the hamming that Bette and Bernadette did, but that of course is because I’ve seen the show so many times.

I’ve said it many times before but I’ll say it again, this production is pure joy from start to finish. It’s the show we need. How sad that tonight will probably be my last time I see the production.

[GiantsInTheSky2]

How was the dinner/eating bit?

[broadwayboy222]

How was Betty vocally? Similar to Bette and Bernadette, or did she use any of the higher keys that were used for Donna? Also, did you Stage door and if so, who all came out? Glad to hear the production is in solid shape in comparison to the gem of the Broadway production that sadly just left us!