The lights of Broadway will dim for one minute this evening (Wednesday January 16) to mark the passing of Carol Channing, an outsized persona and outsized talent for whom the nomenclature “Broadway legend” could have been invented. She died Tuesday (15 January) at the age of 97 at her home in Rancho Mirage, California. Her […]
Tag Archives | Bette Midler
Dolly says Hello, Bette!… again
So, who will replace Bernadette Peters when she leaves the smash revival of Hello, Dolly!, as scheduled, on 15 July 2018? Why, none other than Bette Midler. Yes, the very same Bette Midler that Bernadette Peters replaced when she became Dolly Gallagher Levi this past January. And Midler will be with the show from 17 […]
Charlie Stemp to make Broadway debut in Hello, Dolly!
Charlie Stemp, the much-acclaimed star of Half a Sixpence (which transferred from Chichester Festival Theatre to the West End) is due to make his Broadway debut in the role of Barnaby Tucker in Hello, Dolly! from January 2018. Stemp will join Bernadette Peters and Victor Garber, who be taking over the roles of Dolly Levi […]
Hello new Dolly – Bernadette Peters takes over from Bette Midler on Broadway
If you’ve been making yourself a nervous wreck trying to figure out who, if anybody, would replace Bette Midler as she departs from the title role in the smash Broadway revival of Hello, Dolly! come 14 January, the suspense is over. It’s none other than Bernadette Peters. After a short span when the show will […]
Great Comet, Bandstand, Groundhog Day and On Your Feet set Broadway closings
The ranks of the past season’s new Broadway musicals are thinning considerably, with closing dates recently announced by four of them: Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, Bandstand, Groundhog Day and On Your Feet. Bandstand, which began previews on 31 March and had its official opening on 26 April, will wrap up on 17 […]
CD Review – Hello, Dolly! – 2017 Broadway Cast
HELLO, DOLLY! – 2017 Broadway Cast (Masterworks Broadway – 88985405922) At times like this I wish more than anything that I lived in New York. I would love to actually see this production onstage. Perhaps by now you may have gathered that I am in love with this recording of the 2017 Broadway cast of […]
Tony Awards 2017 – Dear Evan Hansen tops the field with six – Dolly takes four
Dear Evan Hansen, an emotion-clutching musical about teenage outsiders, grabbed the spotlight at the 2017 Tony Awards. It won a half-dozen trophies, including Best Musical, while its 23-year-old star Ben Platt took home honours for Leading Actor in a Musical. On the distaff side, Bette Midler, as was generally predicted, won Best Actress in a […]
Drama Desk Awards – top honours for Dolly, Midler and Come from Away
To no one’s great surprise, Hello, Dolly! and its star Bette Midler walked away with top honours at the Drama Desk Awards. The revival of the Jerry Herman blockbuster classic did share the spotlight, though, with several new musicals, including Come from Away, which was named Outstanding Musical. The awards from the Drama Desk, an […]
Hello, Dolly! – Sam S. Shubert Theatre, New York
Hello, Dolly! continues at the Sam S. Shubert Theatre, New York. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “Look at the old girl now, fellas,” the lady in sparkly red at the corner of the stage sings out to the audience. And you’d have to be a total idiot to not do just […]
Broadway Musical Theatre Preview – a starry first half to 2017
Don’t forget sunglasses if you’re headed for New York. Broadway musical marquees will be freshly and blindingly ablaze with a constellation of star names during the first half of the New Year. New productions headed for the Main Stem boast such legendary luminaries as Bette Midler, Glenn Close, Patti LuPone and – yes, even a […]
Christina Bianco – O Come All Ye Divas – Charing Cross Theatre
Christina Bianco – O Come All Ye Divas continues at the Charing Cross Theatre, London until 7 January 2017. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Christina Bianco has made a name for herself as a comedy impressionist of some renown, specialising in mimicking a range of larger-than-life singers. In this new Christmas […]
Bette Midler stars in Hello, Dolly! on Broadway in spring 2017
Broadway theatregoers will once again have a chance to say ‘Hello, Dolly!’ And this time it will be Bette Midler portraying the indefatigable matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi. The news broke this week that Midler – also known rightly as the Divine Miss M – will star in a revival of the classic musical to open on 20 April 2017. […]
Bette Midler – Divine Intervention Tour – The O2 Arena, London
Bette Midler performed at the The O2 Arena, London as part of her Divine Intervention Tour. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ After admiring an artist for decades, there is always the prospect of disappointment when one finally gets the opportunity to see them in action. Thank you then to The Divine Miss M for not […]
The Jewish Legends – Upstairs at the Gatehouse
The Jewish Legends continues at Upstairs at the Gatehouse, London, until 15 March. Star rating: 3 stars ★ ★ ★ Where to start with The Jewish Legends? There are so darn many of them this idea for a show, the great Jewish talents who have graced showbusiness down the years, could run longer than EastEnders. Part One gives us […]
