Richard, John, David, and I saw *Hello, Dolly!* on Broadway on 4/25/17. It's starring the one and only Bette Midler. This is her first appearance on Broadway in a musical since appearing the original production of *Fiddler on the Roof* in (gulp) 1967. Richard and I saw her in *I'll Eat You Last: A Chat With Sue Mengers,* which was fantastic. She's been getting a LOT of press for *Hello, Dolly!* - - it's a hot ticket, it just opened last week, and you could feel the excitement in the theater. And it totally lived up to it!

This is a real, honest to God, old-fashioned Broadway musical, and it's being presented as such, in a first class, bright, beautiful, corny, glorious production. It's a thrill to be in the presence of so much happiness.

Director Jerry Zaks really honors the material. This is his 23rd Broadway show as director, and clearly he knows what he's doing, loves doing it, and communicates that love to the cast and crew, who deliver it to the audience. The sets and costumes are by Santo Loquasto, and they are darling. I asked John at the intermission, "When was the last time you saw a painted flat?" and he said, "*Mystery of Edwin Drood.* And those were hand-painted flats, I don't think these are." But they were wonderful, they perfectly set the tone for the show, what a delight to see genuine fake sets. And the costumes! I have never seen such rich and exuberant colors in costumes in my life. The audience applauded the chorus's entrance in "Put on your Sunday clothes," simply because the costumes (and colors, in particular) were so shockingly gorgeous.

David Hyde Pierce played the male lead, Horace Vandergelder, the man who Dolly is after. He was very cute and irascible. He sang well and had nice chemistry with Midler. I'm tuned into accents lately, and his Yonkers ("Yahnkuhs") accent was just right. Just strong enough.