Threaded Order Chronological Order
| Hello Dolly Closing. Why? | |
| Posted by: PlayStu (playbilstu@aol.com) 12:10 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
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| Why close Dolly? Im sure they can do what Merrick did. Keep hiring new actresses for the role. Great cast, songs, big splashy Broadway musical. Sutton Patti, even Lane. I remember Merrick using Phylis Diller, Martha Raye, Ginger Rogers. Show has some good years left to play | |
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| re: Hello Dolly Closing. Why? | |
| Posted by: AlanScott 10:48 am EDT 07/18/18 | |
| In reply to: Hello Dolly Closing. Why? - PlayStu 12:10 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
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| The original kept going with those various stars, but for much of the run, it wasn't doing especially well. It was a sold-out smash with Channing and then again with Bailey, at least for some months, pretty amazing for a show that had been running four years. But a few weeks after Rogers took over, it stopped selling out. It did well enough while she remained in it, but plummeted with Martha Raye, improved a bit with Grable (though generally not much more than more or less breaking even), jumped back amazingly with Bailey, at least for a nice while, went way back down with Diller, than came up a bit with Merman. But even with Merman, it didn't come close to selling out. And for much of Merman's run, she played to rather sparse houses. Merrick had made a deal with Fox to let them release the movie in exchange for them helping to prop up the Broadway production. I've never been able to find the exact details of this deal, but it seems to have helped Merrick run it during that last year during a lot of weeks when it didn't break even. |
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| re: Hello Dolly Closing. Why? | |
| Posted by: Michael_Portantiere 01:50 pm EDT 07/18/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Hello Dolly Closing. Why? - AlanScott 10:48 am EDT 07/18/18 | |
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| I remember reading somewhere at the time that Merman in DOLLY! was not selling out. And I certainly remember that I saw her in the show on a "twofer" ticket, for which I paid $7 (rather than the full price $14) to sit about halfway back in center orchestra! | |
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| re: Hello Dolly Closing. Why? | |
| Posted by: allineedisthegirl 04:30 pm EDT 07/18/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Hello Dolly Closing. Why? - Michael_Portantiere 01:50 pm EDT 07/18/18 | |
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| In the summer of '70 I went to the box office and bought a $3.00 ticket for last row of the balcony -- to see Merman in Hello Dolly. I was seated in the 5th row orchestra dead center. If truly seemed that the audience was out-numbered by the folks on the stage. That said, I thought it was a wonderful performance. db |
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| Nathan Lane doesn't replace. nm | |
| Posted by: KingSpeed 03:31 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
| In reply to: Hello Dolly Closing. Why? - PlayStu 12:10 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
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| Never has. Doubt he ever will. | |
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| typed nm by accident. nm | |
| Posted by: KingSpeed 03:53 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
| In reply to: Nathan Lane doesn't replace. nm - KingSpeed 03:31 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
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| Hhjhg | |
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| re: Hello Dolly Closing. Why? | |
| Posted by: TGWW 03:17 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
| In reply to: Hello Dolly Closing. Why? - PlayStu 12:10 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
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| Probably same reason Disney closed "Newsies", they want to set for the tour. That train alone cost a fortune. | |
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| re: Hello Dolly Closing. Why? | |
| Posted by: EvFoDr 03:45 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Hello Dolly Closing. Why? - TGWW 03:17 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
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| I'm curious if this is how it really works. Don't touring sets have to be constructed in a certain way to be frequently loaded in and out of trucks? The train particularly strikes me as a piece that would need to be carefully planned in terms of how it would be packed. I could be wrong, but I don't think most Broadway sets are designed with this in mind. On the other hand I am sure there are many elements that could transfer, like the old fashioned (looking) drops, smaller set pieces, props, etc. | |
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| re: Hello Dolly Closing. Why? | |
| Posted by: ryhog 03:09 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
| In reply to: Hello Dolly Closing. Why? - PlayStu 12:10 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
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| This topic has been rehearsed extensively. In addition to what's said here and in earlier threads (probably gone), the show is not doing all that well even with Peters, and is not the audience magnet that one might think from the small sample size here. Rudin has designed this one as a star vehicle and (unlike some other shows) when you start digging down to the B list for "stars" it'll only get worse. (And none of the fantasy casting is ever going to happen, and it's not clear Rudin would do that anyway. As Newt says below, he has his way, and he sticks to it. That way is not the same in every show but I think even his critics would acknowledge that he goes into each production with a clear plan that he follows. | |
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| re: Hello Dolly Closing. Why? | |
| Posted by: NewtonUK 12:35 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
| In reply to: Hello Dolly Closing. Why? - PlayStu 12:10 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
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| This is easy. Part of my respect for Mr Rudin is based on his taste and ability get appropriate starts to commit to Broadway. His shows run, usually recoup, sometimes make some money, then he does a new show and closes the previous (shows). My kind of producer. A producer just interested in easy money might keep DOLLY running with a series of stars of a certain age, and still make some money weekly. But he had Bette and Bernadette (and DOnna) All classy, important performers. Why go on? I will always maintain that Broadway is a greater brand if shows close - not run 20-25-30 years. If you miss it, you've missed it. That has always been the mystique. Mr Rudin does it right. IMHO |
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| re: Hello Dolly Closing. Why? | |
| Posted by: NightMusic77 05:03 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Hello Dolly Closing. Why? - NewtonUK 12:35 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
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| Agreed. We've had three top-notch Dollys on Broadway and I'm glad the show can close on a high. I think there's a decent-sized pool of musical theater actresses who would be brilliant in the role (Faith Prince, Victoria Clark, Lillias White, etc.), but the list of actresses who would both be brilliant in the role AND sell out the theater as the third (or fourth) Dolly is an extremely small list. Rudin is doing the right thing. |
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| re: Hello Dolly Closing. Why? | |
| Posted by: ryhog 05:19 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Hello Dolly Closing. Why? - NightMusic77 05:03 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
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| If you add to that "and would do it," I think the list starts approaching a null set. | |
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| re: Hello Dolly Closing. Why? | |
| Last Edit: JereNYC 10:18 am EDT 07/18/18 | |
| Posted by: JereNYC (JereNYC@aol.com) 10:16 am EDT 07/18/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Hello Dolly Closing. Why? - ryhog 05:19 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
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| Agreed...anyone new coming into this production would have to be EVENT CASTING. If they could get Reba McEntire or Dolly Parton, that would do it (Parton, especially, since she would be making her debut on Broadway as an actress). Streisand returning to the role, of course, would be the replacement casting heard 'round the world. I'd love to see Glenn Close do it. She exhibits a sense of humor and mischief in real life (in interviews and talk show appearances...I don't actually know her) that she rarely gets to employ in her work and which, I think, would work well for Dolly Levi. And, whatever one has to say about her singing voice, she certainly can handle this role. She might not be interested in being a replacement Dolly, but, then again, she has spoken about the dearth of interesting roles for women past a certain age, and when again would she ever have the opportunity to do this one on such a grand scale? But I imagine that discreet inquiries have already been made to every actress, singer, and comedian that Rudin thinks would sell out the house and, if any of them were interested, as you say, the show wouldn't be closing. |
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| re: Hello Dolly Closing. Why? | |
| Posted by: ryhog 12:04 pm EDT 07/18/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Hello Dolly Closing. Why? - JereNYC 10:16 am EDT 07/18/18 | |
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| I agree Close would be interesting, but note that her last appearance in a revival would not convince many people that she would sell out the house or even get close (no pun intended). | |
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| re: Hello Dolly Closing. Why? | |
| Posted by: NightMusic77 06:17 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Hello Dolly Closing. Why? - ryhog 05:19 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
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| Exactly. If there was an "...and would do it," I have a feeling she'd be doing it. | |
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| Slightly related: How extensive of a put-in did Midler need? | |
| Last Edit: Delvino 12:37 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
| Posted by: Delvino 12:34 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
| In reply to: Hello Dolly Closing. Why? - PlayStu 12:10 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
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| I'm curious, since she was away from the role 6 months. The staging is likely in her cellular memory. Still, getting back in the saddle. Anyone know how much of a rehearsal was needed? Did she get but one run with the company? When was it? inquiring minds. It wouldn't be like the put-ins with Peters, right? But I heard even she only got one run with the full company. | |
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| re: Slightly related: How extensive of a put-in did Midler need? | |
| Posted by: JereNYC (JereNYC@aol.com) 02:01 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
| In reply to: Slightly related: How extensive of a put-in did Midler need? - Delvino 12:34 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
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| My guess is probably the same as any other replacement performer coming into the show...maybe a week or two. Even though she did the show for a year, it's been six months since she did it last and I don't know anyone who'd trust their memory after that long without some kind of rehearsal process. Plus, there are some new actors in the show since she did it last, notably Charlie Stemp, so I'm sure it's helpful for her to rehearse a little with them so that she's not encountering a new performance for the first time on stage in front of an audience. She needs to feel as comfortable and confident tonight as she felt last year at her first performance. |
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| re: Slightly related: How extensive of a put-in did Midler need? | |
| Posted by: NewsGuy 02:32 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Slightly related: How extensive of a put-in did Midler need? - JereNYC 02:01 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
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| If I recall correctly, for whatever it is worth, she'd always do a full run through after her breaks from her show in Vegas. | |
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| re: Hello Dolly Closing. Why? | |
| Last Edit: EvFoDr 12:30 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
| Posted by: EvFoDr 12:28 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
| In reply to: Hello Dolly Closing. Why? - PlayStu 12:10 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
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| We can only speculate because it hasn't been commented on publicly by Rudin (to my knowledge). My opinion is that he wants to go out on top. It seems inevitable that sales will sag with some of these future dream casting ideas. I don't believe that anyone who is primarily known for Broadway, with the exception of Patti LuPone, would sell enough tickets to keep this operating profitably for her limited run. Look how the grosses dropped with Peters, who to me is on the same level as LuPone in terms of being a big enough Broadway star to be a draw. Certainly respectable, but plenty of open seats. Look how one performance a week with the brilliant and awarded Donna Murphy is on TDF, even in the face of the near impossibility of snagging a reasonably priced ticket to the Midler performances. The other option is more mega watt stars. Names that have been thrown around like Queen Latifah. Maybe Rudin has put out feelers. Maybe he can't find enough or any stars of this level willing to do the number of weeks he'd need to justify putting them in the show. It's had a great run with three outstanding interpretations, and a glorious production and supporting cast around them. Time for the next thing. Isn't Rudin's new play going into this very theatre? Onward! |
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| Yes he is producing mockingbird | |
| Posted by: dramedy 12:40 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Hello Dolly Closing. Why? - EvFoDr 12:28 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
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| At the shubert. Im surprised midler is coming back. | |
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| re: Hello Dolly Closing. Why? | |
| Posted by: StageLover 12:13 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
| In reply to: Hello Dolly Closing. Why? - PlayStu 12:10 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
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| Shows were a LOT cheaper to run in those days. I can only imagine how much it costs to run this show. | |
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| Probably around $700k | |
| Posted by: dramedy 12:33 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Hello Dolly Closing. Why? - StageLover 12:13 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
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| So peters has probably kept the show profitable. I am surprised that Rudin didnt ask another round of stars. I could see no one wanting to follow midlers huge success. But peters successful but not soldout run should have opened the door to stars like queen latifah. But buckley is doing the tour and she isnt a big household name for the most part. | |
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| re: Probably around $700k - Latifah | |
| Posted by: Cainebj 07:52 am EDT 07/18/18 | |
| In reply to: Probably around $700k - dramedy 12:33 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
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| Wasn't the word on the street that they asked Queen Latifah and she said no, or couldn't clear her schedule to do it? | |
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| re: Probably around $700k - Latifah | |
| Posted by: ryhog 09:00 am EDT 07/18/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Probably around $700k - Latifah - Cainebj 07:52 am EDT 07/18/18 | |
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| I think that was the word around here, not on the street, and I cannot imagine a scenario in which it would be based on actual information. | |
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| re: Probably around $700k - Latifah | |
| Posted by: Thom915 10:54 am EDT 07/18/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Probably around $700k - Latifah - ryhog 09:00 am EDT 07/18/18 | |
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| It was never truly clarified that the production was "Hello, Dolly! but this was what was reported last July. It was also reported on a number of "gossip" type news sites. "It has been reported that big screen and rap superstar, Queen Latifah, is looking make her Broadway debut. Latifah noted that she was offered a starring role in an unnamed hit stage show, but her schedule would not allow her to accept the opportunity "There was a big production that was offered to me and it became very successful, It gained some Tony (Awards), but I couldn't work it into my (schedule)." Latifah revealed on Watch What Happens Live." |
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| re: Probably around $700k - Latifah | |
| Posted by: ryhog 12:05 pm EDT 07/18/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Probably around $700k - Latifah - Thom915 10:54 am EDT 07/18/18 | |
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| Thanks for the correction of (at least) my recollection. | |
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| It was an event with Midler, then a wonderful opportunity for a B'way great; but... | |
| Last Edit: Delvino 12:28 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
| Posted by: Delvino 12:25 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Hello Dolly Closing. Why? - StageLover 12:13 pm EDT 07/17/18 | |
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| Rudin is a brilliant producer. He created two distinct profiles for the show: an unmissable event in global pop culture with superstar Midler; and then, a rare chance for a beloved veteran to take the reins and re-mint the show one more time*. Beyond that 1-2 punch, it would just be another revival. That was never quite the goal, from the marketing campaign (brilliant, as much as some of us questioned the withholding of footage and even still shots). The black screen TV ads with white lettering. A risky proposition that paid off. It would lose that specialness with a series of ladies more likely to do the role at, say, the MUNY. Smart moves, all. *Look at the box office for recent weeks; it was falling off. I saw it on TDF at a matinee, great orch seats, and this is a strong matinee-selling production. |
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