Bette Midler Confirms Broadway Return in HELLO DOLLY

[Brick]

g.d.e.l.g.i. said: "Having said that, I think for once BWW provides the answer in its article on the creative team (emphasis mine):

"This new production of HELLO, DOLLY!, the first new production of this classic musical to appear on Broadway since it opened more than fifty years ago, will have at its helm Jerry Zaks as its director, and will feature choreography by Tony Award-winner Warren Carlyle. The new DOLLY! will pay tribute to the original work of legendary director/choreographer Gower Champion, which has been hailed both then and now as one of the greatest stagings in musical theater history."

Looks like the answer is yes. I, too, remember the Patti revival fell apart when Jack O'Brien said he wanted to take a different approach on one of the songs, Herman said it had to be the original production, and then O'Brien and Patti both balked.

 

 

"

 

[Theater_Nerd]

I've never seen a stage production of "Hello Dolly" and if I do go to see this it will be my first. 

 

It's nice to know that they'll be doing the classic Gower Champion staging.

 

He's one of my favorite dancer/choreographers.

 

If I remember correctly the 1991 tour of "Bye Bye Birdie" starring Tommy Tune, Ann Reinking, Susan Egan, Marilyn Cooper and Marc Kudisch also utilized Gower Champion's original staging/schoreography.

 

[ljay889]

I thought O'Brien and LuPone wanted to do an all new staging and that's what Herman opposed. 

[ACL2006]

I fully believe that if Midler commits to doing 8 shows/week, this will be the hot ticket show next spring/summer. And I'll second the vote for Kelsey Grammar as Horace.

[madbrian]

I'd love to see Boyd Gaines as Horace.  As for Irene, isn't Benanti doing She Loves Me?

[Kad]

"They have. It's The Robber Bridegroom. (No, I don't get it either.)"

You apparently really don't get it... since it's this season, and in their off-Broadway space. Roundabout hasn't announced anything for next season.

[givesmevoice]

My thought with six shows a week didn't even necessarily include two performances by someone of lesser fame than Midler. What if they just did six shows a week? Didn't Zoe Caldwell do something like seven performances in five days when she did Master Class? Who's to say Midler wouldn't request a similar sort of schedule?

[ABB2357]

What about Danny Burstein as Horace?

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Kad said: "You apparently really don't get it... since it's this season, and in their off-Broadway space. Roundabout hasn't announced anything for next season."

 

I stand corrected. But their Off-Broadway space? Now I really really don't get it. Off-Broadway isn't commercially viable anymore unless you're New World Stages or The Public Theater. I guess the beauty of being a subsidized theater is that you can stage whatever the hell ya want, 'cause... yeesh. The Robber Bridegroom? Really??

 

[Cupid Boy2]

madbrian said: "I'd love to see Boyd Gaines as Horace.  As for Irene, isn't Benanti doing She Loves Me?"

 

She Loves Me is a limited engagement, and even if it were to become an open-ended run, Benanti could easily negotiate a contract that would allow her to participate in a project happening this far out.

 

[Kad]

"I guess the beauty of being a subsidized theater is that you can stage whatever the hell ya want, 'cause... yeesh. The Robber Bridegroom? Really??"

They're a non-profit, subscriber-based, revival-centered company. Arguably, this is the sort of thing they should be doing.

[Deena Jones]

Larry Flick on Sirius Out Q just said he feels sorry for the cast that has to work with Bette.... hmmmmmm

[ACL2006]

also, I believe the CATS revival isn't scheduled until Fall 2017. l don't think both revivals of MISS SAIGON & CATS would open in the same season.

[bdn223]

Rounabout's Musical for Next Season is Holiday Inn. This was announced awhile ago.

 

http://www.roundabouttheatre.org/Shows-Events/Holiday-Inn.aspx

[ljay889]

Kelsey Grammer definitely seems like the most obvious choice for Horace. 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

What fantastic news!  I'm thinking Bette will need a standby and at least one understudy.  There are so many talented ladies that can do justice to the role.  Two names that come to mind are Donna McKechnie and Sally Struthers.  

[ljay889]

How about Sierra Boggess as Irene?

[Ranger Tom]

Very exciting.  Gary Beach as Horace.  Mara Davi as Irene.  Thank you very much.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Here are 12 interesting facts about "Hello Dolly" (from Playbill.com)http://www.playbill.com/news/article/12-things-you-should-know-about-hello-dolly-380518?r=n

[Mr Roxy]

As Horace Nathan Lane doing his Walther Matteau impression.

[SmokeyLady]

Thank heavens it is not Barlett Sher.  And please keep Danny B out of this.  There should be nothing bland about Hello Dolly. 

[Dollypop]

I was doing my usual volunteer work at the local hospital when the news flashed across the screen on a television in a patient's room.  I found tears of joy welling up in my eyes and I had to find a men's room where I could compose myself.

 

Hip, hip, HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SmokeyLady]

If I knew you I would hug you and hold you right now.  

[Wilmingtom]

Keep in mind that Horace is really a supporting role with one song that isn't even a solo.  Stokes would be wasted in the role and I doubt that Nathan Lane would return to Bway to play second fiddle to Bette.  I think someone along the lines of Richard Kind is more likely.  Would Annaleigh Ashford be a potential Minnie Fay?  

[Auggie27]

Only question: Will either of the Merman songs go in the first act?  Dolly doesn't have much to sing in the first act, and "World Take Me Back," which admittedly steals a bit from the epiphanies sung in "Parade..." would be perfect for the Midler voice and temperament. It's got syncopation and that Herman hook and it's just a wonderful little number.  

[CindersGolightly]

Wilmingtom said: "Would Annaleigh Ashford be a potential Minnie Fay? "

 

Is this open ended? If it is, she wouldn't be able to if her television show is picked up for a fifth season. And chances are, it will be. Apart from that, I don't think she would/should at this point in her career. She would be great, no doubt. Just a tad too small for her. I'd like to see her return to musicals in "Sweet Charity", and that's what she's been talking about for a couple of years, so hopefully it comes to fruition next season. Or, if her team is aiming for another Tony, the season after next. We all know Bette will be walking away with the Tony for this.