Saturday, December 14, 2024

Goodbye, Dolly: Tony Winner Bette Midler Taking Her First Two Week Vacation

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Bette Midler? She’s outta here. She promised Dolly would never go away again. But Dolly Levi, matchmaker, is taking a two week vacation from June 27th-July 9th. Bette Midler will be lighting sparklers with her hefty paycheck while Tony winner Donna Murphy plays her role. Murphy also started playing Tuesday night shows beginning this past June 13th.

You have to go all the way into Telecharge, about to buy tickets, when this warning comes up in red:

“On Tuesdays beginning June 13, 2017, the role of Dolly Levi will be played by Donna Murphy. Donna Murphy will also perform the role of Dolly Levi on June 27 – July 2, July 5 – 9, Sunday evening – July 30, September 6 – 10, Sunday evening – October 15, Monday evening – October 30, November 1 – 5, Friday – November 24 at 2pm, and Sunday evening – January 7. “

Yes, “Hello, Dolly!” only opened six weeks ago, and Midler just won the Tony Award. She didn’t perform on the Tony broadcast, but she needs that vacation. She’s the second oldest actress ever to play Dolly. (The second time Carol Channing did it, she was slightly older. Channing was famous for never missing performances.)

And yes, once Midler is gone, there are plenty of seats at all performances. Murphy is one the best ever Broadway stars, and perfect for Dolly, too. And if Murphy is out for some reason, maybe Channing– who’s 96– will fill in! (Actually, it would be funnier if Dolly Parton stepped in. Why not?)

 

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.

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