Hello, Dolly! Rave/Funny moment

[WaffleOnWheels]

Posted: 6/16/18 at 8:20pm

I try not to make these kind of threads, but jeez, Hello, Dolly! may have just provided the best theater going experience of my life.

Bernadette is at the top of her game. To see a legend up so close was something I will cherish. Nothing can prepare you for when she comes down those stairs. It's truly something out of this world. Supporting cast is all incredible (Especially loved Charlie Stemp)

 Something happened on stage at the end of the hat scene and Motherhood that made Bernadette break. Bad. She couldn't get through her verse of Motherhood because she was laughing so hard. Couldn't figure out what happened but it was hysterical! Kate Baldwin was hysterical on the side of the stage, reacting exactly as the audience was (clapping and cheering) If anyone else was there and have any idea what may have happened, I would love to know.

So sad that it is closing.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 6/16/18 at 8:47pm

An ensemble member told someone at the stage door who asked and he said Charlie farted.

[Elegance101]

Posted: 6/16/18 at 10:30pm

If that's true,

Oh. My. God.

[BwayJudd]

Posted: 6/16/18 at 10:35pm

Last weekend, she dropped her card in the very first scene, and said “don’t worry, I’ll get it” and just lost it. She had the same trouble cracking up through that scene. It was one of the best theater moments. She is an absolute joy to watch on stage. She sounds fantastic, and is truly at the top of her game as you said. I adore her in this role.

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 6/16/18 at 10:55pm

This is one of those productions where you can tell that everyone onstage is having so much fun.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/17/18 at 4:07pm

I love HELLO, DOLLY!

[WaffleOnWheels]

Posted: 6/17/18 at 8:59pm

Actually, this seems plausible. Something happened between her last line and the downbeat of Motherhood that caused her to lose it. Oh boy, I will cherish that memory forever. Maybe the best moment in the theater of my life. (Only inching in front of the title number)

[Browneyes142]

Posted: 6/19/18 at 5:23pm

This is why I love live theater. I know some people were harsh on her first performance but I absolutely adored when she lost her place for a moment and then jauntily said, "I'm supposed to be over here." And marched to her mark and backed up to get the lines right.

[IlanaKeller]

Posted: 6/19/18 at 6:31pm

Browneyes142 said: "This is why I love live theater. I know some people were harsh on her first performance but I absolutely adored when she lost her place for a moment and then jauntily said, "I'm supposed to be over here." And marched to her mark and backed up to get the lines right."

 

That was amazing. Masterful performances are wonderful, but so often you forget when they get it right. When something goes off the rails, it's a memory.

 

[EleanorC]

Posted: 6/19/18 at 6:35pm

I love Hello Dolly!- probably my favourite of all musicals....and the little things which don't go to plan make a performance ever so special.

I saw Bette in late December, she was great...the dinner scene didn't quite go to plan as the chicken leg flew out of her hand, she lost it and was totally corpsing, as did DHP shortly after. She tried to get going again but muddled where she was while laughing, but DHP helped her in the end!- will never forget her conversation to the audience 'have we done this bit already'?! The audience erupted with laughter as you can imagine.....

At the stage door it was the topic of conversation and spoke to DHP, Kate Baldwin and Gavin Creel about it- they said they were loosing it laughing in the wings!

I look forward to flying in to NYC and seeing Bernadette close her run and to see Bette once again- such a pity the production is closing but I suppose it's good to end great things on a high note!?

Heard rumours it may be coming to London??......

 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 6/19/18 at 6:43pm

At the stage door it was the topic of conversation and spoke to DHP, Kate Baldwin and Gavin Creel about it- they said they were loosing it laughing in the wings!

Kate and Gavin are still on stage and in the curtained booth during all this.  Taylor Trensch stated in an interview that there is no hidden exit in that booth so they have to stay in there during the entire time (playing cards, he mentioned).  Only the other booth with DHP and Simard had a hidden exit so they could leave their curtained booth.  

[EleanorC]

Posted: 6/19/18 at 7:49pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "At the stage door it was the topic of conversation and spoke to DHP, Kate Baldwin and Gavin Creel about it- they said they were loosing it laughing in the wings!

Kate and Gavin are still on stage and in the curtained booth during all this. Taylor Trensch stated in an interview that there is no hidden exit in that booth so they have to stay in there during the entire time (playing cards, he mentioned). Only the other booth with DHP and Simard had a hidden exit so they could leave their curtained booth."

Thanks for the correction! Suppose I meant after the scene had ended and the characters had either left the stage and/or found the mishap comical on stage but stayed in character! Recollection from several months ago and have only seen this production once so far!...

[BwayJudd]

Posted: 6/20/18 at 1:03pm

EleanorC said: "I love Hello Dolly!- probably my favourite of all musicals....and the little things which don't go to plan make a performance ever so special.

I saw Bette in late December, she was great...the dinner scene didn't quite go to plan as the chicken leg flew out of her hand, she lost it and was totally corpsing,as did DHP shortly after. She tried to get going again but muddled where she waswhile laughing,but DHP helped her in the end!- will never forget her conversation to the audience 'have we done this bit already'?! The audience erupted with laughteras you can imagine.....

 

This reminds me of the show a few weeks ago, when Bernadette was doing her dumplings bit, one rolled off the table into the orchestra.  Victor motioned that it went down there, and she said, here have another!  And tossed one down.  And said, “we’ll send dessert down later”.   The audience just ate it up and we’re hyterical with laughter.  It really makes such a good memory.  

So looking forward to the antics her last show will bring, as much as I hate to see her go, and can’t wait to see Bette again in August as well.  Going to try to catch Donna this time around too!  

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 6/20/18 at 2:34pm

Going to sound grumpy here but I saw Hello Dolly! four times and each time the cast found something to "break" about and giggle for a few moments. It was charming the first two times I saw it happen but when every show had a little "break" I kind of began to think that these "breaks" are pre-planned.

It kind of reminds me of the classical SNL Digital Short "That's When You Break":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxSyaIX3frg

When they pointed out that Jimmy Fallon and Horatio Sanz often overused the "break" in their sketches.

[DAME]

Posted: 6/20/18 at 2:52pm

WaffleOnWheels said: "I try not to make these kind of threads, but jeez, Hello, Dolly! may have just provided the best theater going experience of my life.

Bernadette is at the top of her game. To see a legend up so close was something I will cherish. Nothing can prepare you for when she comes down those stairs. It's truly something out of this world. Supporting cast is all incredible (Especially loved Charlie Stemp)

Something happened on stage at the end of the hat scene and Motherhood that made Bernadette break. Bad. She couldn't get through her verse of Motherhood because she was laughing so hard. Couldn't figure out what happened but it was hysterical! Kate Baldwin was hysterical on the side of the stage, reacting exactly as the audience was (clapping and cheering) If anyone else was there and have any idea what may have happened, I would love to know.

So sad that it is closing."

This very same thing happened at the performance I just saw.  But the reason she couldn't get thru motherhood is because her voice cracked in a weird way and she started  laughing.  She turned to Kate and said  "you take it".

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 6/20/18 at 3:23pm

With all due respect, Carol Channing also had scripted staged moments like this.  Don’t remember where these were but numerous people who worked in the musical with her mentioned these.  Nothing was ever spontaneous.  These gave the musical magical moments as most in the audience would only see the show once in their lifetime.  Moreso than those who would revisit the show several times and see these moments occur at each performance.   

[BWAY Baby2]

Posted: 6/20/18 at 3:24pm

I saw Bette- and she was great- never laughed so hard in a theater during her turkey leg eating scene- would love to see Bernadette- one of my favorites- but it takes some great acting to pre-plan a moment for the audience to watch a "mistake"- and then the supposed ad libs to cover it. Watching pros at the top of their game is always exhilarating. And, so often, you get the best on Broadway.

[haterobics]

Posted: 6/20/18 at 3:27pm

BWAY Baby2 said: "it takes some great acting to pre-plan a moment for the audience to watch a "mistake"- and then the supposed ad libs to cover it."

Especially if you can get the same result from feeding Charlie some beans.

[BuddyStarr]

Posted: 6/20/18 at 3:52pm

I guess I'm a curmudgeon, I don't like it when a performer breaks character on stage, I think it is unprofessional.  Audience members are paying hundreds of dollars to see the show.  It happened in If/Then and continued through 2 scenes.  I suppose if a show is that bad they need to do something (like that clip from SNL).  Bette broke during her dining scene when we saw it too and said "That's live theatre folks"

[haterobics]

Posted: 6/20/18 at 4:06pm

BuddyStarr said: "I guess I'm a curmudgeon, I don't like it when a performer breaks character on stage, I think it is unprofessional. Audience members are paying hundreds of dollars to see the show. It happened in If/Then and continued through 2 scenes. I suppose if a show is that bad they need to do something (like that clip from SNL). Bette broke during her dining scene when we saw it too and said "That's live theatre folks""

I was at If/Then when Idina reached into her sweater pocket to get her phone, but there wasn't one in there. So she asked LaChanze to borrow her phone, and she started digging around in her purse (as a stall, but she didn't have a prop phone in there or anything), so it quickly became obvious that they sort of couldn't cover for any longer. So, Idina said "Live theater!" and people laughed, and someone came on and handed her a phone.

I'm not certain what your solution is, though. This stuff happens.

[BuddyStarr]

Posted: 6/20/18 at 4:16pm

haterobics said: "BuddyStarr said: "I guess I'm a curmudgeon, I don't like it when a performer breaks character on stage, I think it is unprofessional. Audience members are paying hundreds of dollars to see the show. It happened in If/Then and continued through 2 scenes. I suppose if a show is that bad they need to do something (like that clip from SNL). Bette broke during her dining scene when we saw it too and said "That's live theatre folks""

I was at If/Then when Idina reached into her sweater pocket to gether phone, but there wasn't one in there. So she asked LaChanze to borrow her phone, and she started digging around in her purse (as a stall, but she didn't have a prop phone in there or anything), so it quickly became obvious that they sort of couldn't cover for any longer. So, Idina said "Live theater!" and people laughed, and someone came on and handed her a phone.

I'm not certain what your solution is, though. This stuff happens."

My solution is to stay in character. I've had things go wrong on stage and you keep going and don't break the fourth wall.

Idina went up in If/then when I saw it.  It was during the bathroom scene and just just her at the sink.  She put her head down and soon after the orchestra cut out.  Then two scenes later LaChanze entered a scene she was in with a tiny chair from the previous scene and Idina asks her on stage "Are you carrying that because I f**ked up that song?" 

[BwayJudd]

Posted: 6/20/18 at 5:50pm

I’ve seen the show 8 times, 7 with Bernadette. It was never the same twice, so I find it hard to believe they are planned breaks. It would take a lot to plan a different break for whatever nights, ad libs, cast reactions. And in the majority, there were no breaks. I really think this cast just adores the show and each other. They have so much fun and it shows.