I have no desire to see any show close, and none of us can say for sure what the future of "Hello, Dolly" will be, but I expect it to run for six months with Bernadette. The event was Bette, not the show itself, no matter how well it has been produced, as can be evidenced by the contrast between the highly priced, sold-out performances she starred in and the TDF-friendly performances that featured Donna Murphy. Bernadette is beloved, but not to the point where she could keep a year-old revival built around a different star running forever. Six months seems reasonable and profitable for all concerned.
Factors that might keep it going for longer: this season's Broadway musicals don't seem very promising and "Hamilton" and "Dear Evan Hansen" remain very difficult tickets. Audiences may turn to an old reliable chestnut like "Dolly" for lack of anything comparable being available.
My above comment is not meant as a critique of "The Band's Visit." I love the piece, but it is more a play with music than a musical and it is not the old-time All-American show whose audience "Hello, Dolly" has always appealed to. |
