No, certainly not. There are, I would think, a TON of people who would go IF someone they love is doing it -- be that Reba, or Patricia Heaton (just pulling that out of nowhere), or Felicia Rashad... people who might not know Hello Dolly (I know, sounds crazy, but unless you saw/like the movie (as I do), or have gone to a school or regional production of the show since the 60s, or saw one of the limited Channing revivals, it's very possible you do not know the show at all except perhaps by name and therefor have no specific impetus to see it, especially if it's expensive), those people might not bother if it's not starring someone they know/like/care about/have heard of. A LOT of people do not know the work of Buckley or even know her by name to know she is an acclaimed broadway star.
So while a lot of the potential audience comes from people just going because of the title, or those who would know Buckley, I think they are taking a risk with the casting. I appreciate the risk because I'm curious to see this take on the role. But it certainly doesn't fit the mold they've created from the casting in NYC. |
