Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London

[jacobsnchz14]

Imelda will play the title character and Jenna Russell will play Irene Malloy at the Adelphi beginning August 2020. @hellodollyldn The production will be directed by Dominic Cooke (NT Follies) and produced by David Ian and Michael Harrison.

[LizzieCurry]

If you're going to paste from Baz, I'll include the link.

https://twitter.com/BazBam/status/1197649069914673153

[ColorTheHours048]

Love Imelda, and I certainly won’t be seeing this since I don’t live in London, but I really hope she doesn’t trot out the stark raving mad schtick she’s been pushing for the last 5 years or so.

[qolbinau]

Mehhhh.

[gleek4114]

Why can’t we just have Jenna Russell as Dolly?

[Mike Barrett]

I’m frankly too much of a Potter nut to like her and root for her so I simply cannot imagine her as Dolly Levi.

That being said, I had no idea she was in musician theatre. I wish them the best. Not a Rudin production I assume?

[Bettyboy72]

oh lord, how will Imelda complicate this character? Wasn't Elaine Paige available?

[TotallyEffed]

Mike Barrett said: "I’m frankly too much of a Potter nut to like her and root for her so I simply cannot imagine her as Dolly Levi.

That being said, I had no idea she was in musician theatre. I wish them the best. Not a Rudin production I assume? "
 

She’s been in Follies, Gypsy, and Sweeney Todd just in the last few years 

 

[SouthernCakes]

Russell seems old for that part no?

[gleek4114]

SouthernCakes said: "Russell seems old for that part no? "

This my my thought too. I’d much rather see Russell’s Dolly.

[nasty_khakis]

SouthernCakes said: "Russell seems old for that part no?"

In many ways no. I almost makes more sense for a woman her age to be tired of being a widow running a hat shop, tired of being called a wicked woman, and longing to "rejoin the human race."

However it's in the script Cornelius is in his 20s (I forget the age the line says) so it's certainly making a statement about the age gap. 

[CATSNYrevival]

Why in the world is this anything other than the Rudin production with Bette at the Palladium?

[Kad]

I'm sure this will be... very stately. 

[ActorGuyIL]

nasty_khakis said: "However it's in the script Cornelius is in his 20s (I forget the age the line says) so it's certainly making a statement about the age gap."

He's 33.

[Impossible2]

I'm sure she'll be better than Midler, but I couldn't possibly sit through the show again to find out.

[ljay889]

So this isn’t the Zaks production? I thought Russell is too old as well.

[ljay889]

Never mind. BWW updated its original article stating it’s a new production.

[JBroadway]

I also had the initial reaction that Russell is too old. But ultimately the character doesn’t HAVE to be young, and Russell will surely do a great job.

That said, I agree that that she’d be a great Dolly. I don’t mind Imelda; she’s the right “type,” and I’m sure she can hit all the notes and all the comedic beats. But I have a feeling that her Dolly will be pretty devoid of charm and likability.

[JBC3]

These criticisms sound like people reacting to Buckley all over again and things turned out fine with her. Dolly offers a lot of room for women with different personalities and styles to embody the character.

[darreyl102]

Mike Barrett said: "I’m frankly too much of a Potter nut to like her and root for her so I simply cannot imagine her as Dolly Levi.

That being said, I had no idea she was in musician theatre. I wish them the best. Not a Rudin production I assume? "

Maybe Im twisted ,but Dolores Umbridge is one of my favorite characters. I just love how you evil she is.

[Zion24]

gleek4114 said: "Why can’t we just have Jenna Russell as Dolly?"

my exact reaction. 

 

[Jordan Catalano]

What an absolutely insane choice of casting. I’ll be in town for “Sister Act” so I’m 100% going to see this but this will no doubt be the most intense Dolly Levi we’ll ever see. I can’t imagine who they’ll cast as Horace next to her.

[Call_me_jorge]

CATSNYrevival said: "Why in the world is this anything other than the Rudin production with Bette at the Palladium?"

My thoughts too

[CATSNYrevival]

The absence of an exclamation point is telling.

[Dollypop]

Hmm... this could possibly be where I celebrate seeing the show for the 100th time.