Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London
Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London
jacobsnchz14
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/13/06
#1Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London
Posted: 11/21/19 at 5:57pmImelda 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.
#2Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London
Posted: 11/21/19 at 6:01pm
If you're going to paste from Baz, I'll include the link.
https://twitter.com/BazBam/status/1197649069914673153
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
#3Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London
Posted: 11/21/19 at 6:04pmLove 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.
#4Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London
Posted: 11/21/19 at 6:06pmMehhhh.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
#5Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London
Posted: 11/21/19 at 6:11pmWhy can’t we just have Jenna Russell as Dolly?
#6Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London
Posted: 11/21/19 at 6:12pm
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?
#7Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London
Posted: 11/21/19 at 6:15pm
oh lord, how will Imelda complicate this character? Wasn't Elaine Paige available?
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
"I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
#8Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London
Posted: 11/21/19 at 6:15pm
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
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/19
#9Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London
Posted: 11/21/19 at 6:16pmRussell seems old for that part no?
#10Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London
Posted: 11/21/19 at 6:19pm
SouthernCakes said: "Russell seems old for that part no? "
This my my thought too. I’d much rather see Russell’s Dolly.
nasty_khakis
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/15/07
#11Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London
Posted: 11/21/19 at 6:20pm
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.
#12Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London
Posted: 11/21/19 at 6:21pm
Why in the world is this anything other than the Rudin production with Bette at the Palladium?
#13Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London
Posted: 11/21/19 at 6:23pm
I'm sure this will be... very stately.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
ActorGuyIL
Understudy Joined: 12/12/11
#14Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London
Posted: 11/21/19 at 6:36pm
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
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/31/18
#15Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London
Posted: 11/21/19 at 7:05pm
I'm sure she'll be better than Midler, but I couldn't possibly sit through the show again to find out.
#16Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London
Posted: 11/21/19 at 7:23pmSo this isn’t the Zaks production? I thought Russell is too old as well.
#17Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London
Posted: 11/21/19 at 7:25pmNever mind. BWW updated its original article stating it’s a new production.
#18Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London
Posted: 11/21/19 at 7:31pm
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
Broadway Star Joined: 4/9/17
#19Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London
Posted: 11/21/19 at 7:33pmThese 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.
#20Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London
Posted: 11/21/19 at 7:51pm
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.
Darreyl with an L!
Updated On: 11/21/19 at 07:51 PM
Zion24
Broadway Star Joined: 3/27/19
#21Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London
Posted: 11/21/19 at 7:59pm
gleek4114 said: "Why can’t we just have Jenna Russell as Dolly?"
my exact reaction.
#22Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London
Posted: 11/21/19 at 8:09pmWhat 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.
#23Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London
Posted: 11/21/19 at 8:09pm
CATSNYrevival said: "Why in the world is this anything other than the Rudin production with Bette at the Palladium?"
My thoughts too
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
#24Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London
Posted: 11/21/19 at 8:45pm
The absence of an exclamation point is telling.
Dollypop
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#25Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London
Posted: 11/21/19 at 8:48pmHmm... this could possibly be where I celebrate seeing the show for the 100th time.
"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)
