Bette Midler Confirms Broadway Return in HELLO DOLLY

[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.

[artscallion]

I'd like to see Bryce Pinkham as Cornelius.

[BrodyFosse123]

We all know Bette will be walking away with the Tony for this.

 

From your lips to God's ears.  She wasn't even nominated for the 2013 one-woman-showcase I'LL EAT YOU LAST. 

[Jshan05]

artscallion said: "I'd like to see Bryce Pinkham as Cornelius.

 

"

Absolutely love this idea! I definitely second that!

 

[Broadway kid 2]

BrodyFosse123 said: "We all know Bette will be walking away with the Tony for this.

 

 

 

From your lips to God's ears.  She wasn't even nominated for the 2013 one-woman-showcase I'LL EAT YOU LAST. 

 

"

 

[smidge]

artscallion said: "I'd like to see Bryce Pinkham as Cornelius.

I love this idea also! The suggestions of Rob McClure are fine too. I just wonder what Horace will have the best chemistry with Bette

"

 

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Yes, they need to cast someone who will work fine with Middler, and I'm sure she will be deeply involved in the casting of Horace. Boyd Gaines did beautiful, understated work in GYPSY that perfectly complemented LuPone's larger-than-life Rose. I love the suggestion of him playing Horace.

[jimmycurry01]

We I see words like "new production" and "pay tribute to" I don't expect the same tired production that we have seen time and time again.

I would think a new production means just that. It will be new, and it will pay tribute to the original, but not recreate it.

 

[Demitri2]

I think Elliott Gould would be a great choice for Horace. I think he and Midler would have the perfect chemistry together. Plus it would be nice to see Gould return to Broadway musicals after all these decades. I still listen to him often on the I CAN GET IT FOR YOU WHOLESALE cast album and the in house recording of DRAT ! THE CAT!. I once saw him in THE FANTASTICKS with Minnelli and he was a great El Gallo.

[ChiTheaterFan]

bpr515 said: "I was holding out hope that she'd bring Rochelle, Rochelle: The Musical to Broadway, but I guess this is good news as well. :)

 

"

I've had her singing this song stuck in my head since I read the news this morning.  

 

Well, you've made a long journey from Milan to Minsk....  Rochelle Rochelle. 

[Emmaloucbway]

I think Josh Grisetti would also make a good Cornelius.

[The Josh]

John Goodman or JK Simmons as Horace

[asmith0307]

Back to Mitchell leaving Shuffle Along - just a note that both Shuffle and Dolly are both produced by Scott Rudin so as long as he's okay with it....

[CurtainPullDowner]

Michael Urie or Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Cornelius.

Benanti is a natural choice but one Diva backstage will be enough, I think Kate Baldwin is a better fit.

And Minnie and Barnaby are "dancing" roles so think major dancers for those 2. I think Danny Burstein is perfect for Horace but Gaines is also a great choice, and so is Grammer.

[MarkBearSF]

In a perfect world, Justin Timberlake as Cornelius. Getting serious (and marketable) if they cast a bit older, Sean Hayes or Cheyenne Jackson or Tony Yazbeck. If younger, Darren Criss (a better role than Hedwig for him) or Nick Jonas.
...and actually, Justin Guarini would be great.

[GavestonPS]

Mark, I'd have trouble believing some of those men could reach the age of 28 without ever kissing a girl.

 

Now Charles Nelson Reilly I could believe. Michael Crawford, too.

 

My point is that Cornelius isn't supposed to be a handsome, romantic lead.

[CindersGolightly]

GavestonPS said: "My point is that Cornelius isn't supposed to be a handsome, romantic lead."

 

In that case, where can I send my résumé?

 

[somethingwicked]

Here's hoping this production is racially diverse.

 

Outside of Brian Stokes Mitchell, the casting suggestions in this thread are blindingly white.

[MarkBearSF]

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)

 

[daisybeetle]

Victor Garber --Horace (Edit: or Bette's ex boyfriend/co star Peter Reigert as Horace)

Kate Baldwin--Irene

[chanel]

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

[ljay889]

Bette is 100% the  better choice. I'm sure they've pursued  Bette since I'll Eat You Last but it probably took a lot of time to get her on board. I would think Kristin was more of a potential back up. 

[chanel]

Kristin would be better for MInnie Fay, or would have been at some point.

[SweetLips]

somethingwicked said: "Here's hoping this production is racially diverse.

Oh God-------Here we go yet again ! Didn't that train leave x number of threads back ?

 

 

Outside of Brian Stokes Mitchell, the casting suggestions in this thread are blindingly white.

 

"

 

[JaglinSays]

Jesus, I have a hard time imagining her slogging through 8 a week, vocally and otherwise.

She was wan in I'll Eat You Last, and that was....sitting down!

[Mrs Mangel]

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