Lee Roy Reams Talks Tackling Title Role in HELLO, DOLLY! at The Wick Theatre This Month

Rehearsals are in full swing for the November 5 opening of HELLO, DOLLY!, starring Lee Roy Reams in the title role. This is the first time that the part of 'Dolly' will be played by a man in a sanctioned, Equity production.

"Danny La Rue did it years ago in England," says Reams. "But I never saw that show. In England they are accustomed to men playing women's roles and vice versa."

The Broadway veteran, who will also direct the show, is joined by an all-star cast, including multiple Tony nominee Lewis J. Stadlen, James Clow and Susan Powell.

"I love this show," Reams recalls. "It was my second show with Carol Channing. When I was in LORELEI with Carol we became close. When they were doing a revival she called me. That voice. She said, 'Hello Lee Roy. It's Carol.' Like I didn't know. She said, 'Look, I want you to play Cornelius Hackl. The director doesn't know you, so you have to audition. But don't worry, you got the job.' "

Marilynn A. Wick, managing executive director and founder of The Wick, says Reams is personally acquainted with HELLO DOLLY! songwriter Jerry Herman, because Reams starred in Herman's LA CAGE AUX FOLLES at The Wick. Reams approached Wick about playing Dolly himself, as long as they could secure Herman's permission.

"With his talent...and the experience he has doing 'Dolly,' you know he's been in the show forever, I decided to do it." Wick says. "And then, of course, we got the blessing from Jerry Herman and I was thrilled about that."

Reams says this is far from the first time an American theatre company has had the idea to put a man in the role, but it is the first time producers and stars have agreed to actually go through with the project.

"You know David Merrick, the original producer, wanted Jack Benny to play Dolly and George Burns to play Horace Vandergelder [Dolly's romantic lead]. They turned him down. Then he wanted Liberace to play Dolly and he turned him down. The idea has always been there. It was just finding the producer brave enough to do it. And we found it, Marilynn Wick."

The Jerry Herman musical about the irrepressible Yonkers matchmaker will run from November 5th-December 6th, 2015.

Directed by Reams, the HELLO DOLLY! production team includes choreographer Randy Slovacek, associate director Norb Joerder, costume designer Dustin Cross, and musical director Michael Ursua.

HELLO, DOLLY! is full of memorable songs including "Put On Your Sunday Clothes", "Ribbons Down My Back", "Before the Parade Passes By", and "Hello, Dolly!". Come along as The Wick Theatre follows the adventures of America's most beloved matchmaker.

Full Cast:

Lee Roy Reams/Dolly Levi
Susan Powell/Irene Malloy
Lewis J. Stadlen/Horace Vandergelder
James Clow/Cornelius
Jason Edward Cook/Barnaby
Idalmy Carache/Minnie Fae
Meredith Bartmon/Ernestina, Mrs. Rose
Molly Anne Ross/Ermengarde
Christopher Brand/Ambrose
Troy Stanley/Rudolph, Judge

Ensemble: Amanda Frennier, Erin Eloise, Alexandra Dow, Ashley Rubin, Megan Sell, Kayley Stevens, Brody Awalt, Shannon Bates, Danny Durr, David Vogel, Robert Wilday and Joey Lucherini

For more about the show, visit The Wick Theatre's webiste at www.TheWick.org.

Lee Roy Reams has played leading role in ten Broadway shows: The Producers (Carbonell, Helen Hayes & Las Vegas Life Awards), 42nd Street (Tony & Drama Desk nominations), Beauty & the Beast, Hello, Dolly!, Lorelei, Oklahoma!, La Cage aux Folles, Applause, Sweet Charity and An Evening With Jerry Herman. He's also directed two Broadway shows: Hello, Dolly! (Tony nomination/Best Revival) and An Evening With Jerry Herman. His concert, cabaret, TV and resident theatre appearances and directing have taken him to the White House and around the world. He has performed before four U.S. Presidents: Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H. Bush and Bill Clinton. Most recently, he played to sold out houses at 54 Below, NYC's acclaimed supper club. He is the proud recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from his alma mater, CCM/University of Cincinnati.

Photo Credit: Kevin Yatarola

Source: Sun-Sentinel

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