Possible Cast for a Queen Latifah HELLO, DOLLY! ?

[BrodyFosse123]

So, with everyone onboard with their wishful hopes of a Queen Latifah led HELLO, DOLLY! production, its time for a little dream casting. 

If Scott Rudin chose to do a David Merrick and recreate Pearl Bailey's legendary replacement of Carol Channing and bring an all-black cast for Queen Latifah, who are your casting ideas?  I'm sure everyone would agree that Norm Lewis is a must for Horace Vandergelder.

For a quick history, here is the cast of Pearl Bailey's 1968 HELLO, DOLLY!  

Dolly Gallagher Levi: Pearl Bailey
Cab Calloway: Horace Vandergelder 
Cornelius Hackl: Jack Crowder
Barnaby Tucker: Winston DeWitt Hemsley
Irene Malloy: Emily Yancy
Minnie Fay: Chris Calloway
Ernestina: Mabel King
Ambrose Kemper: Roger Lawson
Ermengarde: Sherri Peaches Brewer
Rudolph: Morgan Freeman

Dolly Gallagher Levi (at all matinee performances): Thelma Carpenter

[DottieD'Luscia]

I like Norm, but I also thought of Brian Stokes Mitchell for Horace.

[Call_me_jorge]

Joshua Henry as Cornelius wouldn't be too shabby. But he has Carousel coming up. Brandon Victor Dixon? 

[DAME]

I guess you missed the interview last week on Andy Cohen when she was asked about Broadway and she said that she was offered to come in in a big Tony winning production but the timing wasn't right.. etc....

[theatregeek6]

I understand the fun/possibilities intent of the post, but am hoping in 2017 we don't need an all 'anything' version of anything.

[JSquared2]

Bill Cosby IS Horace Vandergelder!

"With a Quaalude In My Pocket"

 

[IdinaBellFoster]

Adrienne Warren would be a fabulous Irene Malloy. She could read a little too young, but think it would play.

[ElphabaGoodman]

I would love to see Renee Elise Goldsberry play Irene Molloy. 

[BroadwayConcierge]

ElphabaGoodman said: "I would love to see Renee Elise Goldsberry play Irene Molloy."

Beat me to it!

[BrodyFosse123]

I guess you missed the interview last week on Andy Cohen when she was asked about Broadway and she said that she was offered to come in in a big Tony winning production but the timing wasn't right.. etc....

Yes, as I do every night its on, I did watch WATCH WHAT HAPPENS LIVE! (its NOT called Andy Cohen, genius).  If you re-read my post, this is all an IF scenario.  Just curious IF this were to happen, who people would love to see in the all-black cast.  

Nothing more; nothing less.  We all ARE aware Queen Latifah ain't playing Dolly.  Geez.  

[DAME]

BrodyFosse123 said: "I guess you missed the interview last week on Andy Cohen when she was asked about Broadway and she said that she was offered to come in in a big Tony winning production but the timing wasn't right.. etc....

Yes, as I do every night its on, I did watch WATCH WHAT HAPPENS LIVE! (its NOT called Andy Cohen, genius).  If you re-read my post, this is all an IF scenario.  Just curious IF this were to happen, who people would love to see in the all-black cast.  

Nothing more; nothing less.  We all ARE aware Queen Latifah ain't playing Dolly.  Geez.  

 

"

Sorry Brody.  My bad.  

[ElphabaGoodman]

BroadwayConcierge said: "ElphabaGoodman said: "I would love to see Renee Elise Goldsberry play Irene Molloy."

Beat me to it!

 

"

 

Nikki Renee Daniels would also be wonderful  

 

[nasty_khakis]

Do you think Rudin would feel the need to replace the entire cast? I'd think in 2017 a show as whimsical as "Hello, Dolly!" could easily have a color-blind cast. Yes, historically in Yonkers in 1900 a black woman wouldn't marry a prominent merchant, but this show isn't a picture of historical accuracy or authenticity. 

[henrikegerman]

For Latifah's Dolly:
Horace:  John Larroquette
Cornelius:  Christian Dante White
Irene:  Ruthie Ann Miles
 

[hork]

Cynthia Erivo would be great as like an alternate swing or something. 

[Valentina3]

Oh hork you lovely troll you.

Christian Dante White is the current Cornelius understudy and has a really good word of mouth so I'd like to see him get a shot of playing the role full time in the future, assuming the show has a life after Bette. My personal suggestion for Irene was Ruthie Ann Miles, but I'd LOVE to see Renee in the role.

[broadwayboy222]

I've always thought if this were to happen, Sheryl Lee Ralph would be a truly excellent alternate Dolly! She has the perfect brassy, sassy personality and vocal chops that would make her Dolly sensational! 

[nasty_khakis]

I can hear Sheryl Lee's bench speech now-

"Irmengard. How many times do we have to go through this? Dancin' does not put food on the table. Dancin' does not pay the bills. Dancin' is no guarantee to a future. even if you have got talent. Your daddy died still tryin' to make it. Baby. If you want to win in life. then keep your nose in them books and out of the clouds."

[Mr. Nowack]

I guess in today's day and age it would be more interesting to do a HAMILTON-esque  casting, with not just all-black cast but Asian, Hispanic etc too.

[jtishere]

Nasty khakis, I could have easily spit my drink out at that! Lol

[BroadwayConcierge]

nasty_khakis said: "I can hear Sheryl Lee's bench speech now-

"Irmengard. How many times do we have to go through this? Dancin' does not put food on the table. Dancin' does not pay the bills. Dancin' is no guarantee to a future. even if you have got talent. Your daddy died still tryin' to make it. Baby. If you want to win in life. then keep your nose in them books and out of the clouds.""

This is so. effing. funny.

[broadwayboy223]

No offense to Sheryl Lee, but I don't think she should be known for her "vocal chops". That's just my opinion though 

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Would Jenifer Lewis be willing to do alternate Dolly?

[BrodyFosse123]

Would Jenifer Lewis be willing to do alternate Dolly?

Jenifer is busy with ABC TV's BLACK-ISH plus that series films in Los Angeles.  

[Jarethan]

Brave Sir Robin2 said: "Would Jenifer Lewis be willing to do alternate Dolly?

I continue to be mystified by all this theorizing around alternates.  No one but Bette Midler is going to get away with doing only 7 performances a week.  She can blame her age AND she has the power position...Rudin knew she was going to be huge business, particularly in that role. 

As a reminder, It is not a huge role.  No one in the original run of Dolly ever did less than 8 performances a week, and Pearl Bailey had a bad heart.  (Carol Channing at 73 did 8 performances on the road)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If her successor manages to get this concession, unless it is 81 year old Judy Dench taking on the role, it will set a very bad precedent.

PS  -- I think Jenifer Lewis would be terrific in the role

 

[BrodyFosse123]

No one in the original run of Dolly ever did less than 8 performances a week, and Pearl Bailey had a bad heart.

Pearl Bailey only performed the evening performances during her run.  Thelma Carpenter performed the matinee performances.