Ideas for Horace Vandergelder opposite Bette Midler

[goldenboy]

Who will play Horace Vandergelder opposite Bette Midler?  Lewis J  Stadlen in the Wick Theatre's Hello Dolly was the best Vandergelders I've ever seen.  I mean at least I remembered him. I usually don't remember the Vandergelders. I hope they consider him. Any other ideas?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[madbrian]

There have been several suggestions in the other Dolly thread, the best among them IMHO being Boyd Gaines and JK Simmons.

[GavestonPS]

It's worth noting that the part in the musical was originated by David Burns, who also first played Mayor Shinn in THE MUSIC MAN. Horace is more a character role than a traditional leading man.

[Jshan05]

Victor Garber would be a good choice in my opinion...I'd love to see him live!

[Mr Roxy]

I still say Nathan Lane. Imagine him & Bette on the same stage. Would it be big enough to handle the two of them?

[henrikegerman]

first choice, John Goodman
second, John Larroquette

[Kad]

Horace is a very thankless role, and needs, like Gaveston points out, a real character actor to elevate it.

I think it would be great if JK Simmons returned to the stage for this.

[GavestonPS]

Mr Roxy said: "I still say Nathan Lane. Imagine him & Bette on the same stage. Would it be big enough to handle the two of them?

 

"

Why would Lane want to do it? Horace isn't that great a part; he's basically the straight man to Dolly's antics.

[GavestonPS]

I think it's also important to note that Horace is a suburban clod. Yes, he's rich, but he needs Dolly to give him polish and sophistication. Victor Garber is so talented he might be able to play it, but he isn't the first choice that comes to mind. Kelsey Grammar is completely wrong (and, anyway, Midler wouldn't put up with Grammer's lazy work habits).

 

J.K. Simmons can play anything, if you ask me. John Goodman might be great, but his public persona is based on enormous likability. Horace is anything BUT likable until the last scene of the show.

[Stew123]

I imagine they will go for a bigger name, but Norm Lewis please.

[Kad]

Garber, to me, is an actor who comes across as patrician. He's at his best playing those sort of roles.

Goodman and Simmons are both actors who are able to play less refined, curmudgeonly types (Simmons' career is largely based on that) but still have some heart, which would allow for Vandergelder's shift at the end to really land.

Norm Lewis would be absolutely wrong for the role. It would not showcase his voice, which is his best performance asset.

[GavestonPS]

I absolutely agree, Kad. I have the same impression of Garber.

 

But I haven't seen Goodman play a curmudgeon, at least not one I believed.

 

***

 

I don't know why some are assuming they will cast a name as Horace. The original production never did and, IIRC, it ran for awhile. I think Bette Midler is the only name they'll need.

[Musical Master]

I think J.K. Simmons is an ideal actor to play Horace, he has the talent to pull of an unlikable character who does turn around in the last scene of the show. Plus it would be a great Broadway return for him opposite a big star like Bette.

[Peter2]

So many great suggestions for this role! I personally vote for Gaines or Garber, but what I really hope is that it plays long enough that we get to see all of these wonderful performers.

[A1st]

What about Jonathan Freeman?

[Ranger Tom]

Thinking of who would be able to keep up with Ms. M, give as good as they get, gruff but have that sweetness at the end.  For me, that leaves most of the "G" boys out (Grammar, Gaines, Garber); Goodman would be interesting.  Not a huge Nathan Lane fan but it would probably be good.  Terrace Mann sounds possible to me.  But, for some reason (might be senility), the name that really pops out is Dustin Hoffman.  I know, I know...but wouldn't that be fun to watch those two play together in the sand?  

[Mr. Nowack]

The original production did cast a name once, Cab Calloway when the cast went all-black. How big a name he was by the late '60s though I do not know.

[madbrian]

Is Nick Offerman too young?

[Stage Door Sally]

I saw Tony-nominated actor Tony Sheldon play Horace opposite Klea Blackhurst at Goodspeed and he was WONDERFUL. He was charming and witty and found ways to make Horace likable, not a one-note grouch.

While I like the idea of John Lithgow or Nathan Lane, I think they'd be too much ham, competing with Bette for the spotlight.

Here is a clip of Tony Sheldon singing Penny In My Pocket which was cut from the original Hello, Dolly!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-4t1dLdfg0

 

 

[MarkBearSF]

Mr Roxy said: "I still say Nathan Lane. Imagine him & Bette on the same stage. Would it be big enough to handle the two of them?"

 

Who thinks they'd be at each others throats by the end of the first week of rehearsal?  However both have worked with costars they (reportedly) didn't get along with in the past and delivered good work. It could add a certain frisson.

 

[Broadwaypattifan]

Possibly Peter Gallagher 

[CurtainPullDowner]

Danny Burstein, coming off a TONY win.

[darquegk]

James Earl Jones would be good, but is almost certainly too prominent to take such a thankless role.

[Ranger Tom]

Tony Sheldon...that's an interesting idea.

[HorseTears]

Ed O'Neill?