Bootleg Betty Today Is National Barbie Day, So I Give You Bette Midler Singing “Hello Dolly” By Mister D March 9, 2025
Production Context The 2017 revival was the first new Broadway production of Hello, Dolly! in over 50 years, paying tribute to the original staging by Gower Champion. Directed by Jerry Zaks, a four-time Tony Award winner, and choreographed by Warren Carlyle, who recreated Champion’s work, the production featured orchestrations by Larry Hochman. It opened on April 20, 2017, following previews starting March 15, and concluded with 550 performances. The plot follows Dolly Levi, a matchmaker who aims to find a wife for the miserly Horace Vandergelder while planning to marry him herself, set in turn-of-the-century Yonkers, New York.
Reviews and Critical Reception Critics were effusive in their praise for Midler’s performance, emphasizing her star power and comedic timing. The Los Angeles Times review on April 20, 2017, noted, “Rarely has an exclamation point in a title been earned as thoroughly as the one in the new Broadway revival of ‘Hello, Dolly!’ starring Bette Midler. The show offers the special satisfaction of a favorite star finally performing the role she was destined to play.” It highlighted the production’s ability to intensify audience pleasure, with standing ovations being common. The Guardian on April 21, 2017, described Midler as “irresistible,” shining in an “exhaustingly energetic revival,” while The Washington Post on April 20, 2017, called her performance a “bull’s eye,” particularly in her interactions with David Hyde Pierce. The New York Times on April 20, 2017, further praised Midler for providing “a dazzling lesson in star power,” noting her ability to make a meal out of both the role and literal meals on stage, such as a memorable dinner scene. These reviews collectively underscore Midler’s ability to blend humor, emotion, and theatricality, making the revival a standout event. Despite some vocal challenges, such as a touch of hoarseness noted by the Los Angeles Times, her performance was seen as a masterclass, with audiences leaving singing, “Bette, don’t you ever go away again.”
Trivia and Notable Achievements
The production achieved significant milestones, both artistically and commercially. It won four Tony Awards at the 71st Annual Tony Awards on June 11, 2017, including:
Best Revival of a Musical
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Bette Midler)
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical (Gavin Creel)
Best Costume Design of a Musical (Santo Loquasto)
Additionally, it received three Drama Desk Awards in 2017, including Outstanding Revival of a Musical, further cementing its critical acclaim. Commercially, Hello, Dolly! broke the Shubert Theatre’s box office record 12 times, with a notable week-ending gross of $2,478,968.14 on December 3, 2017, marking the ninth time it broke The Shubert Organization’s all-time record. It also had the largest pre-performance advance sale in Broadway history, reflecting its anticipation and popularity.
An interesting archival note is that the final performances with Midler, concluding on January 14, 2018, were filmed for the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive at Lincoln Center, ensuring her portrayal is preserved. This filming occurred during the weekend of January 13-14, 2018, marking the end of the original cast’s run, including David Hyde Pierce, Taylor Trensch, and Beanie Feldstein. Donna Murphy took over some performances as Dolly, starting in June 2017, covering Midler’s holiday dates and playing Tuesday evenings until January 7, 2018, adding another layer to the production’s history.
The cast was robust, featuring David Hyde Pierce as Horace Vandergelder, Kate Baldwin as Irene Molloy, Gavin Creel as Cornelius Hackl, Taylor Trensch as Barnaby Tucker, Will Burton as Ambrose Kemper, Melanie Moore as Ermengarde, Jennifer Simard as Ernestina, and Beanie Feldstein as Minnie Fay, each contributing to the ensemble’s dynamic.
Quotes and Memorable Lines
Hello, Dolly! is rich with memorable lines, particularly from its iconic songs and dialogue. Key quotes include:
From the title song, “Hello, Dolly, well, hello, Dolly, It’s so nice to have you back where you belong,” a celebratory anthem that defines Dolly’s return.
From “Put On Your Sunday Clothes,” “Put on your Sunday clothes, There’s a lot of world out there, It’s time you two were sharing,” reflecting the show’s themes of adventure and connection.
From “Before the Parade Passes By,” “Before the parade passes by, I wanna be part of it, I wanna be in it, oh, I don’t want to miss the fun,” capturing Dolly’s zest for life.
Dialogue quotes, primarily from the 1969 film version but relevant to the stage, include:
Dolly Levi: “It makes me feel good to have so many friends.”
Horace Vandergelder: “Any man who goes to a big city deserves what happens to him.”
Dolly Levi: “Money, pardon the expression, is like manure. It’s not worth a thing unless it’s spread around, encouraging young things to grow.”
These lines, while sourced from the film, reflect the character’s essence, likely echoed in Midler’s portrayal, given the revival’s fidelity to the original material.
Additional Details and Unexpected Insights
An unexpected commercial detail is the production’s box office dominance, breaking records repeatedly, which is not always highlighted in reviews but underscores its financial impact. The involvement of Donna Murphy as a stand-in Dolly adds an interesting layer, given her own storied Broadway career, and the archival filming ensures Midler’s performance is accessible for future study, an aspect not immediately obvious to casual audiences.
The creative team’s efforts, particularly Carlyle’s choreography paying homage to Champion, and Loquasto’s award-winning costumes, enhanced the visual spectacle, contributing to the production’s immersive experience. The show’s run, spanning 550 performances, and its status as the most coveted ticket of 2017, with record-breaking first-day sales, further illustrate its cultural significance.
In summary, Bette Midler’s “Hello Dolly Fanfare” encapsulates a landmark revival that combined critical acclaim, commercial success, and lasting legacy, preserved through awards, archives, and audience memory. This production stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of classic musical theater, elevated by Midler’s inimitable performance.
