The Broadway show thread where we discuss all things Broadway

[RedAngie]

I can't wait to read the reviews of the Hello, Dolly! revival!

DH took me to New York today for my birthday. The plan was that we'd just see what was available at the TKTS booth, but then the sneaky dude surprised me with tickets to Hello Dolly! He bought them way back when they went on sale last fall.

We saw the matinee. The show was great! The music, costumes, sets, cast, everything. And Bette....well, she was Divine.

I'm glad I got the chance to see her. The last time I tried over 20 years ago, her understudy appeared because Bette got injured playing softball.

 

[rebeccam31]

I always forget this is here.

I've seen quite a bit lately. The favorite being Hello Dolly. It was just a marvelous night of theater. I saw Groundhog Day and while it still needs some tweeking it was a fun evening. I do think it is going to be a show that some will enjoy and some will not. I am finally seeing Come From Away on Tuesday.

Jealous of your Hello, Dolly! I'm trying to find a place I can work that in this summer. I've heard only brilliant things. As I said above, I was one of the people who did not enjoy Groundhog Day. I LOVED Come From Away, though. I've added another teenager to our plans and am now taking 5 of them in May. Can't wait.

 

[Newsies]

Saw Million Dollar Quartet at Paper Mill Playhouse this weekend and it was outstanding. The actor who portrayed Johnny Cash was spot on!

 

[NJlauren]

Saw Million Dollar Quartet at Paper Mill Playhouse this weekend and it was outstanding. The actor who portrayed Johnny Cash was spot on!

Seeing it next weekend, very excited!

 

[rebeccam31]

Saw Million Dollar Quartet at Paper Mill Playhouse this weekend and it was outstanding. The actor who portrayed Johnny Cash was spot on!

This show was part of our touring season some years back. None of us was excited to go see it and we all ended up just loving it. Really great show!

 

[L&Lfan]

Next, Bette should tackle Mame!

 

[mjaclyn]

Just wanted to stop in here and give my two cents about a couple of shows I've seen recently:

Hello, Dolly! - I'm not a huge fan of this show in general, but I LOVE Bette Midler and David Hyde Pierce. Overall the show was really well done. Bette was great, as always! Her voice didn't sound as clean and clear as the last time I saw her, but for a woman of 71 it was incredible. I actually got tickets to see it again with Donna Murphy. I think she'd be excellent in the role as well.

Sunset Boulevard - 70 is the new 50 for sure! Like Bette Midler, Glenn Close really gave a stunning performance. Her singing wasn't great, but I still loved the show. I wasn't crazy about the set though. I hate when they cheap out on revivals like this. LOVED the music - the orchestra was phenomenal. Definitely worth seeing.

The Play That Goes Wrong - If you're a fan of British humor, you HAVE to see this show. It was hilarious. I had seen Peter Pan Goes Wrong on BBC, which was amazing, and this show did not disappoint at all. I immediately went back and got tickets to see it again. Loved it.

I really want to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory before it closes - which I'm sure it will bc the reviews haven't been great and it hasn't even opened yet. DEFINITLEY want to see Anastasia, Groundhog Day, Great Comet, Dear Evan Hansen, and of course Hamilton. I'm on a mission!!

 

[elgerber]

I am so envious of everyone who has seen Hello Dolly!!! I would LOVE to see this. But alas, it will not happen.
I sold my tickets for our touring production of Matilda that was this weekend, because we are seeing it on the West End on Easter Sunday

 

[SingingMom]

Saw Million Dollar Quartet at Paper Mill Playhouse this weekend and it was outstanding. The actor who portrayed Johnny Cash was spot on!

We were there Sunday Matinee. Really enjoyed it. Johnny Cash was amazing, as was Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins. Elvis was weak, in my opinion. Subpar to the rest of the cast.

 

[SingingMom]

For those of you that have already seen Hello Dolly! - Be honest - did you feel Bette was too old for the part? I know Barbra was too "young" in the movie, but I'm afraid to be disappointed, since I do love the score. I'm almost debating waiting to see Donna Murphy. Is that crazy?

 

[Newsies]

We were there Sunday Matinee. Really enjoyed it. Johnny Cash was amazing, as was Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins. Elvis was weak, in my opinion. Subpar to the rest of the cast.

Have to agree with you on the casting of Elvis. I'm a BIG, BIG fan of Alex's previous work in Deaf West Spring Awakening, but when they announced he was joining the cast as Elvis, I was very...

 

[wilkeliza]

For those of you that have already seen Hello Dolly! - Be honest - did you feel Bette was too old for the part? I know Barbra was too "young" in the movie, but I'm afraid to be disappointed, since I do love the score. I'm almost debating waiting to see Donna Murphy. Is that crazy?

I felt like she was just right. Remember this is suppose to be a widow who had a long time of love with one husband and now is a busy body. She is the exact age for a "yenta" type.

 

[SingingMom]

I felt like she was just right. Remember this is suppose to be a widow who had a long time of love with one husband and now is a busy body. She is the exact age for a "yenta" type.

Thanks, Wilkeliza! I guess I need to add this to the list! DD is coming home for a visit to see Anastasia & Miss Saigon!

 

[RedAngie]

For those of you that have already seen Hello Dolly! - Be honest - did you feel Bette was too old for the part? I know Barbra was too "young" in the movie, but I'm afraid to be disappointed, since I do love the score. I'm almost debating waiting to see Donna Murphy. Is that crazy?

Another 71 year old actress might be too old for the part, but Bette Midler was believable in the role and did a great job. I doubt you'll be disappointed.

I'm sure Donna Murphy will do well too.

 

[L&Lfan]

Another 71 year old actress might be too old for the part, but Bette Midler was believable in the role and did a great job. I doubt you'll be disappointed.

I'm sure Donna Murphy will do well too.

How long is Bette doing the show before Donna takes over? Do you know, Angie?

 

[AllEar2017]

New to Dis and just seeing this post. I live in NYC and a huge broadway fan! Last week I saw Amelie and agree with reviews coming out today - "meh." Phillips Soo and the male lead have beautiful voices but not a single song was memorable and I wouldn't want to see it again.

But last month I saw Great Comet and Dear Evan Hansen and both were amazing! Great Comet is so weird and wonderful and DEH is just very touching.

Next on my list is Come from Away- sounds lovely. And Hamilton next month but I'm a bit addicted to that...

 

[RedAngie]

How long is Bette doing the show before Donna takes over? Do you know, Angie?

From what I understand, starting in June, Donna Murphy will perform ONE show per week, Tuesday nights, while Bette handles the rest. Plus there are a few scattered days and a week or two when Bette will be on vacation and Donna will fill in. I saw the dates listed online, perhaps the Hello Dolly! website.

I believe Bette will be in the show until at least January 2018.

 

[L&Lfan]

From what I understand, starting in June, Donna Murphy will perform ONE show per week, Tuesday nights, while Bette handles the rest. Plus there are a few scattered days and a week or two when Bette will be on vacation and Donna will fill in. I saw the dates listed online, perhaps the Hello Dolly! website.

I believe Bette will be in the show until at least January 2018.

Now I understand. That's been done before (2 people sharing the role and/or doing the matinees). I'd have to see Bette, but I saw Donna Murphy in The King and I 20 years ago and she was very good.

 

[NJlauren]

Seeing The Glass Menagerie tomorrow! Very excited

 

[SingingMom]

Seeing The Glass Menagerie tomorrow! Very excited

I'm really surprised this is back so soon. We just saw it with Celia Keenan Bolger & Cherry Jones, who were wonderful, and Zachary Quinto, who I did NOT like in the part.