Massive ovation: Bette Midler back in Hello, Dolly!

Bette Midler gets a massive standing ovation during her entrance on July 17, her first show back at Broadway's Hello, Dolly!

Credit: Getty Video, DKC PR

[billynage]

I was there! The show ran over because every number was a standing ovation! I'll remember this night for the rest of my life!

[tjwash]

If ever there was an artist built for a live performance it’s this woman!

[jaydefelice]

I was there that first night back for Midler. It was magic from start to finish. There were several more massive ovations, most of them standing before the final bows too. Such a special show to me. It was the first stage musical I ever saw way, way back in the early 1980's on one of Carol Channing's tours with the show. On top of that I'm a huge Bette Midler fan. Getting to see her in this & on broadway her first night back was incredible. I cried twice, once during each act...tears of joy!!!

[manuelorozco]

Nearly 25 years later, Winifred Sanderson transforms into Dolly Levi. I’m jealous for my fellow musical theatre geeks who saw Broadway history reborn. And the costumes are gorgeous

[SymphonyBrahms]

Bette Midler is a legendary performer.

[Marcus_]

Seeing Dolly on Broadway in this magnificent role is the best night I have ever spent in the theater. When she stood up from that trolley there was a HUGE standing ovation that went on for like 10 or 15 minutes. It's a night I will never, ever forget.

[yankeeangel]

I was lucky enough to see this production in August 2018. It was pure joy, and easily the most enthusiastic audience I have ever seen at a Broadway show (or anywhere, really). An afternoon I'll never forget.

[alixjamieson]

I was in that audience! Electric atmosphere! Bette Midler was fantastic!

[lucillewilson]

I was there that night. It was my second time. She is just priceless.

[barrypurves]

i love that she says 'thank you' to the actress who recieves the newspaper.

[flixlover]

I was fortunate to be there and it was electrifying!

[petradoots]

Amazing amazing woman Bette a tribute to the human are absolutely one of the best if not beautiful human beings on this tribute alone during 9/11was one of the most inspiring deep feeling moments of our one of a kind shouts from japan

[robertgraziano]

I saw her shopping at a market in Toronto where I worked and because I am a polite Canadian I just nodded to her and left her alone, but what a thrill!

[flav]

Oh Bette. I wish I could have been there. Lucky audience - and Bette deserved every second of those applauds and standing ovations! Love her so much. ❤

[Hwilki]

tell me this full show was recorded. It needs to be preserved for future generations... either as a PBS Great Performances show, Broadway HD, a dvd... it just needs to be seen by everyone.

[VILA]

Hello Dolly was going to be done in London with Imelda Staunton in 2020, but the pandemic postponed plans. I didn't have the chance to watch Bette but I am sure Imelda will be great.

[old.not.too.grumpy.]

The American tend to applaud the person, whereas other countries tend to applaud the performance.
Says a lot about a country when it applauds before seeing how well the performance goes

[robertkahan]

Like everything else, you gotta do your homework. Sure there are $700 tickets out there-for those who don’t know how to do it. Check Telecharge. Many seats for around $240, Orchestra and Mezz. That’s still a lot but not $700. I’m seeing the last show in the Balcony for $123. As far as the flow of the show being halted for a star’s entrance, the only way to avoid that is to select a show with no names in it!

[burtward]

My sister in law would have been up jumping like a teenie at a bieber concert.

[DramaTenor]

It’s sad Bernadette didn’t get this kind of reaction for her run. She deserved much more for that role.