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
Joshua Henry as Cornelius wouldn't be too shabby. But he has Carousel coming up. Brandon Victor Dixon?
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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....
Adrienne Warren would be a fabulous Irene Malloy. She could read a little too young, but think it would play.
"Oh look at the time, three more intelligent plays just closed and THE ADDAMS FAMILY made another million dollars" -Jackie Hoffman, Broadway.com Audience Awards
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.
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.
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.
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.
Caption: Every so often there was a rare moment of perfect balance when I soared above him.
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!
"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."
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.""
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