Call on Audra?

[EthelMae]

I take no credit for this- just saw on All That Chat where frequent poster “Kieran” posted a clip from the Joan Hamburg radio show. Michael Riedel was her guest. He was speaking about various current shows and mentioned that Producers are seeking Audra McDonald as Bernadette Peters replacement when Bernadette’s contract is up.

I believe many of you here thought of her as a great replacement as Dolly.

Exciting news! Hope it comes true.

Happy New Year to all.

[Kad]

I assume Rudin would only offer it to her with the stipulation that she be on birth control.

[ACL2006]

Audra would definitely sell tickets. Has Audra ever been a replacement? I think that's the bigger question is if Audra would be willing to join a show as a replacement?

[TheSassySam]

ACL2006 said: "Audra would definitely sell tickets. Has Audra ever been a replacement? I think that's the bigger question is if Audra would be willing to join a show as a replacement?"

I'm sure if the money's right she would be willing to join. 

 

I hope this show continues to run for years and the show develops a reputation that becoming a Dolly is considered a high honor for a Broadway star. 

[newintown]

McDonald certainly has a set of devoted fans - enough to sell a musical comedy at a profit? It would be interesting to see. However, there are some caveats to this idea:

1 - McDonald has yet to be the center (the star) of a large musical that was financially successful;
2 - McDonald isn't particularly adept at light comedy; everything she does, she does heavy (and she does it well);
3 - McDonald, although perhaps somewhat familiar, isn't really a "star" outside of the theatre-going public (that is, she hasn't had a lead on/in a popular/successful series or major movie); and
4 - McDonald's voice is so unsuited for the score as written that (I estimate) it would need to be transposed 4 or 5 whole steps to sit in a comfortable place for her. Some may casually say, "then transpose!," but that ignores that fact that a transposition that radical would require significant re-orchestration as well as rearrangement of the ensemble's vocals, all of which would require a significant investment of money and time.

[Cat Guy]

According to Audra's website, she will be performing concerts through July 13, 2018.  Don't know when Bernadette leaves, but Telecharge has "Dolly" tickets available through July 15, 2018.  Sooooo?

I will see Audra in concert with the Los Angeles Opera in May, and then again a few days later here with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra.  I do love Audra McDonald.

[barcelona20]

Who would be a bigger box office star? Audra or Cheno?

[WaffleOnWheels]

This prompted me to find this thread, which is super interesting: 

https://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.php?thread=973527

The idea of Audra as Dolly was thrown out before any announcement of a new Dolly production occurred, and was met with some disagreement then. Wonder how that will change ten years into the future.

Also funny now to see Bernadette being thrown around as a favorite back then.

[LizzieCurry]

EthelMae said: "I take no credit for this- just saw on All That Chat where frequent poster “Kieran” posted a clip from the Joan Hamburg radio show. Michael Riedel was her guest. "

Link for those who like a source (of a source):

https://www.talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat_new/d.php?id=2405978

[BroadwayConcierge]

I think Audra McDonald is a superhero, but I can't see her as the broad that is Dolly Gallagher Levi. 

[BroadwayConcierge]

WaffleOnWheels said: "This prompted me to find this thread"

Someone in that thread says they see Audra as more of an Irene than a Dolly. I completely agree.

[GeorgeandDot]

I'm sure that Audra will pull it off, but she really is an unorthodox choice for the part. Then again, Brian Stokes Mitchell would be perfect as her Horace. I could see her being incredible, but yes, the show would have to be completely re-orchestrated to fit her voice.

I'm still holding out for Queen Latifah as Pearl Bailey as Dolly Levi.

[ACL2006]

Dear God, Audra and BSM reunited in DOLLY!?!?! I'm there!

[Wick3]

GeorgeandDot said: "I'm still holding out for Queen Latifah as Pearl Bailey as Dolly Levi."

I'd definitely see Hello Dolly again if Audra or Queen Latifah play Dolly Levi!!!!!!

 

[broadwayboy223]

I don't think the whole score would need to be transposed. It would be fairly easy to transpose songs that the chorus don't sing in (I Put My Hand In, So Long Deaire) for Parade it needs to come up a least a full step. I think Audra could be wonderful honestly.

[Dollypop]

I don't care who's playing Dolly do long as I get to continue seeing this show--heck, I sat through Betty Grable and Phyllis Diller.

[Call_me_jorge]

I’d be shocked Audra would want to work for Rudin again.

[Valentina3]

Dollypop said: "I sat through Betty Grable and Phyllis Diller."

And if you've sat through Betty Grable and Phyllis Diller, everything else is a laugh.

 

PS - I'd LOVE me some Audra. Cast Brian Stokes Mitchell as Horace, and Denee Benton as her Irene and you know I'd get first row seats for their first few nights in a row.

 

[Jarethan]

I actually enjoyed Betty Grable.  She brought glamour to the role, whether it was needed or not.  I still remember the audience reaction when she sang 'look at the old girl now, fellas' as she raised her dress to show off those famous (and still beautiful from the second balcony) legs of hers.  I was very disappointed with Martha Raye (and Ethel Merman for that matter -- the voice was still strong, but the acting was just something to get through...just like Annie Get Your Gun at Lincoln Center).  I could not bring myself to see Phyllis Diller; after all, the balcony was probably $4.00 by the time Diller joined the show and I had better things to spend $4.00 on (plus, I lived in Jersey).

Now, re Audra as Dolly, I really hope not.  The only reason -- I am sure she would be great -- is because I want her to be the big enough star to finally open Mame.  I want Beanie Feldstein to be Gooch, and have several candidates in mind for Vera, e.g., Jenifer Lewis, Patti Lupone if she decides she doesn't want to have to carry a show anymore.  To the person who said that Audra can't do comedy, her very first Tony was the comic relief role in Carousel, Carrie Pipperidge (sic), for which she also received delirious reviews from critics who did not know her at the time.

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Woudl she really work for Rudin again after SHUFFLE ALONG? I'd be shocked.

[Melissa25]

I’d prefer to see Cheno as Dolly.

[Alessio2]

Wick3 said: "GeorgeandDot said: "I'm still holding out for Queen Latifah as Pearl Bailey as Dolly Levi."

I'd definitely see Hello Dolly again if Audra or Queen Latifah play Dolly Levi!!!!!!

"

I don't understand all the love for Queen Latifah. She is such a mediocre talent, and was absolutely horrible in The Wiz live.

[GeorgeandDot]

Alessio2 said: "Wick3 said: "GeorgeandDot said: "I'm still holding out for Queen Latifah as Pearl Bailey as Dolly Levi."

I'd definitely see Hello Dolly again if Audra or Queen Latifah play Dolly Levi!!!!!!

"

I don't understand all the love for Queen Latifah. She is such a mediocre talent, and was absolutely horrible in The Wiz live."

I'm not a huge fan.  I just think she'd be really good in the part and would sell tickets.  I'd also kill to see Harvey Fierstein in the part.

 

[Miserent]

It's not gonna happen, but I'm still gonna throw out into the universe that Sheryl Lee Ralph would make a fabulous Dolly. In my perfect little world, her and Jenifer Lewis would alternate the role.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Audra would crush as DOLLY, I think we are beyond an all Afro American cast but I do think Queen Latifah would kill as Horace.