Whoopi Goldberg interested in Dolly

[Littleshopofcarrie]

Link

[Call_me_jorge]

I can see her being the rumored big replacement for 2019.

[whatacharacter]

No thank you

[Papi2013]

This would be fun.  Who would be a fun Horace?  And should they do a all black company like they did with Pearl , to sort of keep,following the trajectory of the original production?

[BroadwayConcierge]

Please no.

[barcelona20]

This will never happen, don't worry.

[Papi2013]

I can definitely see this happening.   

[nasty_khakis]

This won't happen. Rudin wouldn't hire someone who couldn't handle the score and she cannot handle the score.

She also couldn't fully memorize Jackie Hoffman's 10 lines in Xanadu and carried notecards on stage after being in the show a couple weeks at that point.

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Whoopi, no. Jenifer Lewis, on the other hand, who's actually done the role and must surely have some breaks in her Black-ish schedule at some point... maybe. But unfortunately that would probably have to come after they've run through all the Midler- and Peters-sized names.

[haterobics]

[bwayphreak234]

Please no.

[quizking101]

Joy Behar for Cornelius Hackl

Meghan McCain as Horace

[Papi2013]

To those saying it will never happen.  You have to remember that these same producers offered the tour to Joy Behar.   It’s true.  They talked about it on The View.  You can look it up.  

[ljay889]

Some of have wanted her as Dolly for a while now. This is not a tough score. She has done Sondheim and sang on pitch during Sister Act in London.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Dolly Parton or bust.

[broadwaysfguy]

hell to the no.....

[RippedMan]

I like that "singing on pitch" is the new barometer of talent. 

[bdn223]

If anything Whoopi would likely be a 6-10 week limited run from the end of July-early September when the View is on hiatus. Although her contract is up this year, I am sure ABC will do anything in their power to keep her.

I do honestly think she'd make an interesting Dolly, and its not like Bette's voice was in tip top shape. Dolly Levi is a  role for a singers role, but rather a role for a performer who knows how to keep an audience in the palm of her hand, which is why Bette was amazing. If there's one thing Whoopi's great at its knowing her audience. Having seen her in Xanadu twice, once on her first night and then closer to the end of her run I can say she definitely grew into the role. Yes, she needed cue cards for her lines in her first performance, but it should also be noted that she was only given 2 weeks to learn the role. (Yes I know this is common for replacements, but for normally for someone of her caliber). If she were to take on Dolly, I am sure she would be given much more time to prepare, just as Bernadette who was given 4 months to prepare. She knows the historical significance her playing Dolly wouldn't want to mess it up.

On the topic of Jenifer Lewis...there is no way Rudin would take a chance on Jenifer Lewis, she did nothing to goose the box office for Hairspray, and its not as if shes become more culturally relevant since 2008. 

[KJisgroovy]

It always surprises me when some folks on this board, who know a lot about theater, seem to have little handle on the culture barometer. 

Jenifer Lewis is on a major hit television show and has recently become a cultural icon, reaching an entirely new generation of fans. 

[Papi2013]

KJisgroovy said: "It always surprises me when some folks on this board, who know a lot about theater, seem to have little handle on the culture barometer.

Jenifer Lewis is on a major hit television show and has recently become a cultural icon, reaching an entirely new generation of fans."

 
No she hasn’t.  She is just that lady who plays the grandma on some sitcom.    She has been around and while fun;  she is not a marquee name. 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Jenifer Lewis is not a "name" name.

[KJisgroovy]

You're right. She's definitely not a "name" name. But her star has risen significantly since 2008. Which is what I was responding to. 

[MarkBearSF]

Who's Jennifer Lewis?

[ErikJ972]

BroadwayConcierge said: "Jenifer Lewis is not a "name" name."

For those under 45 she is probably more of a "name" name than Bette Midler. In addition to a hit TV show she has a successful book and she has become a sensation on social media.

Again, not surprised you would be oppossed to either of these people be cast. #MAGA

[darquegk]

I'd see it. Whoopi has never had a "nice" voice, but neither did Carol Channing. Also, maybe she's gotten out of shape, but there was a time when she was an immensely respected actor. Her penchant for daytime talk shows has softened her image since then, but it's not as if she pulled a "Majin Buu," vomited up Uzo Aduba, and continued on as a shell of her old self.