Bette Midler Confirms Broadway Return in HELLO DOLLY

[Mrs Mangel]

What about Tony Sheldon as Horace? He did it at Goodspeed a couple of years back. 

[Musical Master]

Bette Midler playing Dolly Levi in Jerry Zaks' revival of Hello Dolly in 2017 sounds like a match was made in heaven. Along with Zaks and Warren Carlyle saying that it will "recreate the legendary direction and choreography of Grower Champion", this sounds like a production to watch. I hope J.K. Simmons is available to play Horace.

[CindersGolightly]

I really hope this has a chance at getting filmed.

[ACL2006]

Chenoweth just isn't right for the part of Dolly. Maybe down the road, but she still looks like she's in her 20s. 

[FindingNamo]

Do you not know what 20-somethings look like?

[CindersGolightly]

[madbrian]

Perhaps Renee Elise Goldsberry as Irene?  And even though it might be too small a role for him, I thought Joseph Gordon Levitt would be great as Cornelius.  I stand by my suggestion of Boyd Gaines as Horace, but JK Simmons would also be terrific.

[GavestonPS]

MarkBearSF said: "GavestonPS, I'm sure you're right about Cornelius. To be frank, as I'm not a fan of Jerry Herman, in truth I'm relying upon dim memories of the one time I made it through the movie. (However, I eagerly await a big Broadway production with Bette)

 

 

 

"

Mark, if your reference point is the film, then you saw geeky, gawky, fidgety, overly mannered Michael Crawford in the part. Just barely a singer (though the character does have to sing "It Only Takes a Moment", through which Crawford sort of talks his way).

 

I wasn't a Crawford fan until PHANTOM, but he was "right" for the role of Cornelius. Cheyenne Jackson is not. Cornelius is NOT in the Howard Keel/Bruce Yarnell/Stephen Douglass/Alfred Drake tradition of leading men. It's a comic part.

[GavestonPS]

chanel said: "Anyone know why Kristin didn't work out? Too chirpy?

 

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/kristin-chenoweth-in-talks-for-hello-dolly-broadway-revival-208292

 

"

Bette Midler is a much bigger star. I don't think it has anything to do with Chenoweth lacking.

[ljay889]

More info on how this came to fruition. 

 

“It has an enormous amount of weight, and the score is irresistible,” Ms. Midler said in a telephone interview hours after her agreement to star in a revival of “Hello, Dolly!” was announced. “It’s a very American thing, with a joyous quality, a kind of can-do quality, and an incredible sweetness, and in these dire times, when the whole world seems to be on fire, it seems like something people would love to see.”

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/21/theater/bette-midler-glowin-crowin-goin-strong-and-ready-for-hello-dolly.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

[broadwayboy223]

I think Chenoweth has other projects she's attached too. I'm not sure they dumped her or something. She does what she's passionate about. I think her next thing will be the Tammy Faye Baker musical. She's really a sweet person. I was in her Broadway Bootcamp last summer. Thinking about it now I'm not Dolly would fit her voice. They would have to raise some of the keys I feel. 

[cc5916]

Would love to see Eloise Kropp as Minnie Fay

[sng]

This is the best news ever. Hello, Dolly! is one of my favourite musicals and it's nice to know that we are gonna see the complete genius staging of Gower Champion back on Broadway!!!!

[best12bars]

Bette Midler will be 71 when this opens, just 3 years shy of Carol Channing's farewell bow as Dolly on Broadway.

 

They are going to have to skew the cast older unless they want to shine a spotlight on her age and make her look like grandma next to a younger cast.

[Theater_Nerd]

I think that's what they would have to do. I believe Carol Channing was in her 40s when she did the first production. But in Bette's defense Ruth Gordon was in her 60s when she originated Dolly in The Matchmaker and Shirley Booth in her late 50s when she did the film version of The Matchmaker.

[Jshan05]

cc5916 said: "Would love to see Eloise Kropp as Minnie Fay"

YES! Saw her in Dames at Sea and she was lovely. I hope she gets another show soon and this would be a good fit in my opinion!

[vocalzone]

Christine Pedi imagines some of the other actresses up for the role

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsVJdzM_-cQ

[matineeidol2591]

I third Eloise Kropp as Minnie Fay.  Ruthie Ann Miles as Irene Malloy?  Heaven.

[gstrus2]

The audition notice for Hello Dolly is up and it says Cornelius was already cast and they were seeking a standby for Dolly http://www.playbill.com/jobs/job_detail/383144

[Comden Green]

A stand by for dolly!!!   I suppose they have to rather than a Neil Patrick Harris thing.  What with  midler's age but, man,  those poor people who don't get to see bette.   

[dramamama611]

gstrus2 said: "The audition notice for Hello Dolly is up and it says Cornelius was already cast and they were seeking a standby for Dolly http://www.playbill.com/jobs/job_detail/383144

 

"

 

I was just coming to see if anyone had any info on Cornelius.  Darn.    Is Gavin Creel too old?   

 

Maybe its a good sign they are looking for a STANDBY v an alternate.  But, they might just decide to only run 6-7 shows a week instead of 8.  I certainly hope they plan for 8, though.

 

[Kad]

Creel is certainly the right age- he's 39 but certainly reads younger.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Kad said: "Creel is certainly the right age- he's 39 but certainly reads younger."

 

GAVIN CREEL IS TURNING 40 THIS YEAR??? He MUST know where the Fountain of Youth is.

[dramamama611]

It's not like 40 has one step in the grave.  Sheesh.

[GavestonPS]

Theater_Nerd said: "I think that's what they would have to do. I believe Carol Channing was in her 40s when she did the first production. But in Bette's defense Ruth Gordon was in her 60s when she originated Dolly in The Matchmaker and Shirley Booth in her late 50s when she did the film version of The Matchmaker.

 

"

True. And Midler looks awfully good for 70.

[lucillefrank]

I've just been told that Kate Baldwin is absolutely playing Irene. That's perfect casting.