DOLLY casting replacements

[natashalost]

Since it appears Hello Dolly will be seeing at least four principal cast members, Peters, Garber, Creel, and Baldwin, leaving on July 15 I thought it would be interesting to hear some casting ideas/any rumors that have been going around about replacements.

 

I think Sierra Boggess would make a good Irene. Maybe even Jonathan Groff as Cornelius? 

[broadwayboy222]

I think Ashley Brown and Rob McClure would be lovely choices for Irene and Cornelius, as they’ve also both played the roles regionally. However, I could see them both doing the tour as well. Also still wanting to see Jackie Hoffman as Ernestina. Mary Testa, Cheryl Lee Ralph, Beth Leavel, Klea Blackhurst or Carolee Carmello would be great Alternate Dolly’s if they were to do a Donna Murphy scanario again. Kelsey Grammer would also be a great Horace. For principal Dolly’s I am waiting and hoping for Reba, Queen Latifah and/or Patti LuPone! Eloise Kropp would be an adorable Minnie or Ermengarde. I would also love to see Jonathan Groff as Cornelius! Just a few names to toss out :)

[DAME]

I think the show will close and the sets and costumes used for the tour.

[natashalost]

I love the idea of Ashley Brown and Jackie Hoffman as Ernestina is just too perfect! I keep hearing Reba's name thrown around and honestly, she seems like the only decent option for Dolly, unless Patti manages to come back to Broadway. Christine Ebersole seems like a good Dolly-alternate choice. Maybe Elaine Paige as the next Dolly?

[Dollypop]

Nick Spangler as Cornelius

[MikeInTheDistrict]

Basically anyone who’s ever played Elder Price in BoM would be fine for Cornelius honestly.

I had a dream that Toni Collette took over the role of Dolly. The more I think about it, the more I like it. But I don’t know if she would do Broadway now that she has a production company, much less as a replacement.

[RippedMan]

I would love to know how they fit all that set in the theater. I didn't think the Shubert was that deep. 

[Theatrefanboy1]

Well I stand by my top choices for Dolly: Cher, Dolly Parton. Patti Lupone.
I love the idea of Johnathan Groff!!!! Also what about Matt Doyle? Andrew R.
Yes to Kelsey Grammar. How about Nathan Lane( especially next to Patti Lupone), Christian Borle? And I love the idea of Sierra. Kelly o’hara.

[natashalost]

YES to Nathan Lane, though I doubt he would do it with Angels playing right now.

Matt Doyle would be a nice choice. Groff is a stronger actor, though.

I was under the impression Lupone said War Paint would be her last Bway show but I could be wrong.

 

[ameleigh]

natashalost said: "Since it appears Hello Dolly will be seeing at least four principal cast members, Peters, Garber, Creel, and Baldwin, leaving on July 15 I thought it would be interesting to hear some casting ideas/any rumors that have been going around about replacements.



I think Sierra Boggess would make a good Irene. Maybe even Jonathan Groff as Cornelius?"

I’m not arguing or anything. Just curious if there has been confirmation of the July 15th departure for Peters and Garber.

[quizking101]

ameleigh said: "natashalost said: "Since it appears Hello Dolly will be seeing at least four principal cast members, Peters, Garber, Creel, and Baldwin, leaving on July 15 I thought it would be interesting to hear some casting ideas/any rumors that have been going around about replacements.



I think Sierra Boggess would make a good Irene. Maybe even Jonathan Groff as Cornelius?"

I’m not arguing or anything. Just curious if there has been confirmation of the July 15th departure for Peters and Garber."

Barring any contractual extension, the July 15th departure date has always been concrete for them. The rumor isn’t that they will leave and Betty Buckley will take over for a month or two before starting the tour, with Broadway getting a blockbuster Dolly for the Fall.

[Itonlytakesajourney]

I’d love to see Paige Faure or Katie Rose Clarke as Irene. They both have wonderful soprano voices and can portray the comedy yet emotion of the role pretty well. Jonathon Groff or Corey Cott would be fantastic as Cornelius! They fit the age description give and take a few years, and they are both well-versed in comedy.

[rosscoe(au)]

Patti is doing concerts in Australia at that time , tickets just went on sale.

 

[Stage Door Sally]

Agree with Dame. I have a lot of wishful thoughts, but seems fortuitous at best.

[Dollypop]

Goldie Hawn as Dolly!

[JBradshaw]

Joyce DeWitt!!!

[nealb1]

Basically anyone who’s ever played Elder Price in BoM would be fine for Cornelius honestly.

Oy............hate it when the word basically is thrown into a sentence for no reason at all - it's a "filler" word - just like the word like and the word honestly.  Which is also part of that sentence. 

Here's what it should say.............Anyone who's ever played Elder Price in BoM would be fine for Cornelius.

[Gizmo6]

I’d travel back across the Atlantic to see Patti. Even though I’m seeing her in Company on this side of the pond.

[adamgreer]

natashalost said: "YES to Nathan Lane, though I doubt he would do it with Angels playing right now.

Matt Doyle would be a nice choice. Groff is a stronger actor, though.

I was under the impression Lupone said War Paint would be her last Bway show but I could be wrong.

"

She walked that back real quick. If Sondheim tells her he wants her to transfer with this production of Company, you can bet your house she’ll do it in a heartbeat. 

[qolbinau]

adamgreer said: "natashalost said: "YES to Nathan Lane, though I doubt he would do it with Angels playing right now.

Matt Doyle would be a nice choice. Groff is a stronger actor, though.

I was under the impression Lupone said War Paint would be her last Bway show but I could be wrong.

"

She walked that back real quick. If Sondheim tells her he wants her to transfer with this production of Company, you can bet your house she’ll do it in a heartbeat."

Some people here misrepresent that quote anyway. The point she made was that her role in War Paint was so good she wouldn’t want to settle for less. It wasn’t an “I’m done”-type notice. 

[MikeInTheDistrict]

nealb1 said: "Basically anyone who’s ever played Elder Price in BoM would be fine for Cornelius honestly.

Oy............hate it when the word basically is thrown into a sentence for no reason at all - it's a "filler" word - just like the word like and the word honestly. Which is also part of that sentence.

Here's what it should say.............Anyone who's ever played Elder Price in BoM would be fine for Cornelius."

You're not wrong, and I'm not not going to defend my pointless use of those words. (My undergrad degree was in English literature and rhetoric, lol. Thankfully, I'm not bothered by things like that.)

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

I really missed Beanie when I saw the show with Peters and Garber. I worry that Kate Baldwin will be similarly difficult to replace. Neither Ashley Brown nor Sierra Boggess are actresses I find particularly funny or world-weary. What Baldwin is doing at the Shubert goes far beyond her pristine, beautiful soprano voice.

[Jamminman]

Lillias White as Dolly!

[Speed]

Nathan Lane doesn't replace. Never has, never will.

[codywlong2]

Faith Prince would be a phenomenal choice, and I thought her "Before the Parade..." on her last cabaret album got to the heart of who Dolly is. 

Long shot--I'd love to see Andrew Keenan-Bolger as Barnaby Tucker.