Donna Murphy in Hello Dolly

[emmettjordan]

I don't know if it has been discussed before but I am asking anyways: Why would two time Tony nominee Donna Murphy be a standby at all? Surely is better for than that? 

 

How is Dolly managing to cast such fantastic and successful performers in these roles?

[nealb1]

She's not a standby at all.  She's guaranteed performances.  Many standbys don't even get to go on, for whoever they are standing by for.  

Last year Bette missed 1 performance, and her understudy Linda Mugleston went on for her.  

[gypsy101]

emmettjordan said: "I don't know if it has been discussed before but I am asking anyways: Why would two time Tony nominee Donna Murphy be a standby at all? Surely is better for than that?

How is Dolly managing to cast such fantastic and successful performers in these roles?"

they’re probably managing it because it is a huge broadway revival of a well known and much loved musical that started Bette Midler making her big return to Broadway musicals and was a big sold out hit.

[BalconyClub]

emmettjordan said: ".... Surely is better for than that?..."
 

I am guilty of posting unclear sentences too.


 

 

[DRSisLove]

Last year Bette missed 1 performance, and her understudy Jessica Sheridan went on for her.  

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Linda Mugleston went on.

[Call_me_jorge]

nealb1 said: "She's not a standby at all. She's guaranteed performances. Many standbys don't even get to go on, for whoever they are standing by for.

Last year Bette missed 1 performance, and her understudy Jessica Sheridan went on for her."

I’m pretty sure it was Linda Mugleston who went on.

[nealb1]

Thanks for the clarification.  I just updated my posting.  

[BrodyFosse123]

Linda did that matinee Bette missed. I have a photo of the Playbill understudy insert on my laptop.   

[CT2NYC]

emmettjordan said: "I don't know if it has been discussed before but I am asking anyways: Why would two time Tony nominee Donna Murphy be a standby at all? Surely is better for than that?



How is Dolly managing to cast such fantastic and successful performers in these roles?"

Donna Murphy is a two-time Tony winner, and a five-time nominee.

[geoffreyC]

just a wild guess - money?

[QueenAlice]

Murphy has spoken about this in interviews. She recently lost her husband and has a young daughter. She hasn’t felt like she could make a full time commitment to starring in a Broadway musical right now and so when this opportunity came up to be Midler’s alternate and have a limited number of performances she thought it was ideal for her.

[DAME]

There is a old Larry King interview with Bette in which she talks about having seen Donna in Wonderful Town and being a fan of hers . There is also a old theater talk interview with Joan Rivers from a few years ago in which she kind of predicts Bettes run in Dolly. Both fascinating interviews from the past that are fascinating in our present . Im on the cell so I can’t t post. But both are very easy to find.

[Jarethan]

For my money, the best dolly I have seen, and that includes Channing multiple times, Bailey 3 times, and Midler, among others.  

[ColorTheHours048]

I just got out of Donna’s final performance and wow, wow, wow - what a performance. The show was totally on fire, led by a truly joyous Donna Murphy in what is *easily* my favorite Dolly of the three I saw (first Bernadette, then Bette a couple weeks ago). She became Dolly and played as part of a gorgeous, dedicated ensemble. As a result, the moments where she can be showcased and worshipped felt like a breath of fresh air.

“Parade” and the title number were rapturous. You could tell just how much everyone on that stage loves being there, especially Ms. Murphy, who seemed as though she were wrapping the whole audience in a warm embrace. It was perfect evening that not only solidified this production as one of the most exceptional musical comedies we’ve seen in some time, but as an example of the unique nature of live theatre; of sharing a space and energy with other people. We all shared our love for Donna and she returned it by giving us what we came for: a Dolly for the ages.

Side note: Christian Dante White was on as Cornelius and he was an absolute dream in the role. Donna stepped aside before her final bow and gave him a separate bow, likely because this will be his last time performing the role (can’t imagine Gavin would miss any more shows in his final week). It was a lovely moment, but also well-earned. He really was pitch perfect.

Just a big wow. I’m so happy to have caught this 3 times in its run. It brought tears to my eyes each and every time. Happy to say I saved the best for last. Donna Murphy is a goddess.

[Call_me_jorge]

Did they give her any flowers or something of that sort at the curtain call? Or was it just normal?

[ColorTheHours048]

Call_me_jorge said: "Did they give her any flowers or something of that sort at the curtain call? Or was it just normal?"

She got three large bouquets.

[BroadwayConcierge]

I had the privilege of seeing Donna’s Dolly for a second time earlier this summer and she was indeed pitch-perfect in the role. Easily my favorite of all the Dollys (infinitely surpassing Bernadette, IMO), and truth be told, one of my favorite stage performances of all time. She could not have been more incredible in this role.

[ColorTheHours048]

BroadwayConcierge said: "...truth be told, one of my favorite stage performances of all time. She could not have been more incredible in this role. "

100% agreed.

 

[PianoMann]

ColorTheHours048 said: "BroadwayConcierge said: "...truth be told, one of my favorite stage performances of all time. She could not have been more incredible in this role. "

100% agreed."

Same here!  I was at her final performance tonight, too.  Truly joyous and a deservedly affectionate send-off.  Much like her first final performance back in January, the house seemed full of her biggest fans: huge standing ovations for her entrance and at the beginning and end of the title number.  David Hyde Pierce seemed very emotional in their final scene, too, and called "brava" as she took her final bow.  A night and a performance I will never forget.

[Wick3]

Donna is my favorite Dolly out of the three I saw in this revival and I'm sooo glad I was able to go to her final performance. :) 

She received three large bouquets from her fans in the front row so she was unable to handshake everyone up front but boy the applause she received was amazing!!! When I was exiting the theater, I saw other people in the audience who had flowers for her. 

Before going to her final performance I watched a few of her recent interviews so I paid close attention to "Dancing", which she stated is one of her favorite moments of the show.  Gavin Creel was out but I'm ok with that since I hadn't seen Christian Dante White since March 2017! He was a treat and is my favorite Cornelius Hackl!!! What a cast! I'm so glad I was able to go to this performance.

[DottieD'Luscia]

I heard a few days ago that Christian Dante White would be on as Cornelius at last night's performance. I almost made a special trip up from DC to see him again.  I eventually talked myself out of it since I'm coming up on Saturday for the final.  I'm glad I got to see him in February.  I thoroughly enjoyed his performance as Cornelius.

[Almira]

Honestly didn’t think much of the production or Midler when I saw it over a year ago. Didn’t understand all the love..

... but last night... WOW!

Murphy was a MARVEL. She wasn’t just a larger than life personality... she was a big hearted woman wanting to love again and on the way help others love too.

Magical. Haven’t seen a DOLLY with this much joy since I saw Channing’s last tour.

Heavenly night.

[poisonivy2]

Was there last night. Agree it was a magical night with Donna getting well deserved ovations. Also am glad I got to see Christian Dante White as Cornelius. Absolutely adorable and DHP and Donna dragged him out for another bow at the end. I was sitting in row E of the mezzanine and of all the places in the Shubert I've seen the show that was the best seat. Just a wonderful evening.

[Wick3]

Almira said: "Murphy was a MARVEL. She wasn’t just a larger than life personality... she was a big hearted woman wanting to love again and on the way help others love too."

Agreed. In the video interview she did a month ago, Donna stated one of her favorite moments was "Dancing" when she matches Cornelius/Irene and Barnaby/Minnie ... seeing how it's possible to love again and how much she loves to help others love too. :) 

http://www.playbill.com/article/watch-tony-winner-donna-murphy-gets-emotional-describing-her-take-on-hello-dollys-dolly-gallagher-levi  (skip to 2:25)

 

[SmokeyLady]

Almira said: "H

Murphy was a MARVEL. She wasn’t just a larger than life personality... she was a big hearted woman wanting to love again and on the way help others love too."

 

What a load of crack.  I still don't get the one vs the other comments. They are meant to dig.  But if you must.. give me a larger than life personality as Dolly Levi any day.  The truth is Donna is wonderful in this.  But in no way does she even begin to touch what Bette does with this show.