qolbinau said: "When is the last time Betty had a long run in the starring role of a musical? At 70, it can't be easy. Maybe she wasn't up for the job? Sad for her, the producers, and audiences.
To Skip23--my comment was VERY tongue in cheek as I was[un]lucky enough to see her Roses Turn on YouTube before being Whipped off forever. Pity, as it should be compulsory viewing in every acting studio.
To her credit she was excellent as the President in something I binged recently. She 'died' and came back to life--a bit like all of her performances obviously.
Betty was out Wednesday night when I went to see the show. I saw all three Dollys on Broadway and really only wanted to see the show again so I could see Betty's turn at the role. I have a ticket to see it at the Pantages next month so maybe I can see Betty then. Ironically Bernadette Peters is appearing in concert next door to Hello, Dolly! tonight.
I have been perplexed about this whole thing. It is rare indeed for a touring production to tout an above-the-title star. It doesn't even happen in San Francisco. The only exception that comes to mind was the promotion of Darren Criss and Lena Hall in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and even that was comparatively low-key.
It seems like there is little more promotion of stars in LA, because it's LA and actors often want the exposure. Buckley was promoted heavily when she was in Grey Gardens at the Ahmanson, and she got entrance applause.
The tour schedule looks like the usual grueling tour schedule. There are two Sunday shows at the Pantages in Hollywood, and the musical opens in San Francisco two nights later.
As for Hello, Dolly, I am curious to see the musical because I've never seen it. The only thing I'm curious about is what people think of the understudy Dolly, because it sounds like there's a good chance I will end up seeing her.
https://hellodollyonbroadway.com/bios There are two Dolly understudies: Jessica Sheridan (Ernestina, Dolly u/s) and Beth Kirkpatrick (Mrs. Rose, Ensemble, Dolly u/s).
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
I wonder if Kirkpatrick has gone on as Dolly yet considering Buckley's attendance?
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
bear88 said: "I have been perplexed about this whole thing. It is rare indeed for a touring production to tout an above-the-title star. It doesn't even happen in San Francisco. The only exception that comes to mind was the promotion of Darren Criss and Lena Hall in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, andeven that was comparatively low-key.
It seems like there is little more promotion of stars in LA, because it's LA and actors often want the exposure. Buckley was promoted heavily when she was in Grey Gardens at the Ahmanson, and she got entrance applause.
The tour schedule looks like the usual grueling tour schedule. There are two Sunday shows at the Pantages in Hollywood, and the musical opens in San Francisco two nights later.
As for Hello, Dolly, I am curious to see the musical because I've never seen it. The only thing I'm curious about is what people think of the understudy Dolly, because it sounds like there's a good chance I will end up seeing her."
She is being promoted the same everywhere . The show is being packaged that way in every stop. But I wonder if it has really affected sales at all. It’s really not selling that well to begin with . And I don’t think tourr audiences are so hooked on Betty that they would demand a refund .
DAME said: "bear88 said: "I have been perplexed about this whole thing. It is rare indeed for a touring production to tout an above-the-title star. It doesn't even happen in San Francisco. The only exception that comes to mind was the promotion of Darren Criss and Lena Hall in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, andeven that was comparatively low-key.
It seems like there is little more promotion of stars in LA, because it's LA and actors often want the exposure. Buckley was promoted heavily when she was in Grey Gardens at the Ahmanson, and she got entrance applause.
The tour schedule looks like the usual grueling tour schedule. There are two Sunday shows at the Pantages in Hollywood, and the musical opens in San Francisco two nights later.
As for Hello, Dolly, I am curious to see the musical because I've never seen it. The only thing I'm curious about is what people think of the understudy Dolly, because it sounds like there's a good chance I will end up seeing her."
She is being promoted the same everywhere . The show is being packaged that way in every stop. But I wonder if it has really affected sales at all. It’s really not selling that well-to begin with . And I don’t think tour audiences are so hooked on Betty that they would demand a refund ."
I was able to see Buckley in "Sunset Boulevard" back in August, 1996 on Broadway, and would like to see her in 'Hello Dolly' when it comes to Boston this summer.
My question - when she was in SUNSET for that long run, did she miss many performances back then, aside from her scheduled vacations?
David10086 said: "I was able to see Buckley in "Sunset Boulevard" back in August, 1996 on Broadway, and would like to see her in 'Hello Dolly' when it comes to Bostonthis summer.
My question - when she was in SUNSET for that long run, did she miss many performances back then, aside from her scheduled vacations?"
Don’t know the answer to your question, but in the days before social media/the Internet, it was clearly difficult for audiences to know how reliable or unreliable a star was in terms of turning up for 8 shows a week. Nowadays, I guess the reputations of performers can be easily dented if they consistently miss shows. There’s probably a lot more at stake now, particularly for up-and-coming stars.
scampsweep said: "David10086 said: "I was able to see Buckley in "Sunset Boulevard" back in August, 1996 on Broadway, and would like to see her in 'Hello Dolly' when it comes to Bostonthis summer.
My question - when she was in SUNSET for that long run, did she miss many performances back then, aside from her scheduled vacations?"
Don’t know the answer to your question, but in the days before social media/the Internet, it was clearly difficult for audiences to know how reliable or unreliable a star was in terms of turning up for 8 shows a week. Nowadays, I guess the reputations of performers can be easily dented if they consistently miss shows. There’s probably a lot more at stake now, particularly for up-and-coming stars."
Good point. When I was growing up, we had season subscriptions for 12 years to the Broadway touring series. Our tickets were for Saturday matinees, and after a couple years, we just stopped getting excited about seeing whatever star would be touring. Most of the time, they would not be in for that matinee. Nowadays, those actors would be crucified on social media.
Saw the show last night. Loved it! Betty was very "throaty" last night. She must have been getting over a bad cold as she had a handkerchief in her dress pocket that she used quite a few times, and coughed during applause, or would turn upstage during "Dancing" and other moments to cough. She was much better sounding and had a burst of new energy for Act 2.
Her Dolly was very fragile - similar to her Norma Desmond. If this doesn't work out, that she can't nab Horace for herself, she's at the of her rope and will have nothing left. I never got that from Betty or Bernadette.
She commanded the stage, and looked fantastic. The dinner scene with Horace was very different from Bette & Bernadette. It wasn't played to the hilt, and was very low key. I was quite surprised as it's quite the show stopping moment. The scene of her eating in the courtroom was very funny. When she starts to eat the puffs, she let out an almost orgasmic OH MY GOD. You could hear her munching & chewing on the turkey leg. Very, very funny.
It's a smaller ensemble cast, and there is no top tenor singing all of those glorious high notes during "Sunday Clothes." In NYC Christian Dante White's beautiful tenor voice just soared into the heavens when he sang. I'm so surprised that was missing as it's such a beautiful musical number.
nealb1 said: "Saw the show last night. Loved it! Bette was very "throaty" last night. She must have been getting over a bad cold as she had a handkerchief in her dress pocket that she used quite a few times, and coughed during applause, or would turn upstage during "Dancing" and other moments to cough. Her Dolly was very fragile - similar to her Norma Desmond. If this doesn't work out, that she can't nab Horace for herself, she's at the of her rope. I never got that from Betty or Bernadette.
She commanded the stage, and looked fantastic. The dinner scene with Horace was very different from Bette & Bernadette. It wasn't played to the hilt, and was very low key. I was quite surprised as it's quite the show stopping moment. The scene of her eating in the courtroom was very funny. When she starts to eat the puffs, she let out an almost orgasmic OH MY GOD. You could hear her munching & chewing on the turkey leg. Very, very funny.
It's a smaller ensemble cast, and there is no top tenor singing all of those glorious high notes during "Sunday Clothes." In NYC Christian Dante White's beautiful tenor voice just soared into the heavens when he sang. I'm so surprised that was missing as it's such a beautiful musical number.
"
So glad she did go on last night. I hope she continues to recuperate.