HELLO, DOLLY's 42nd anniversary.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 4:46pm

As everyone knows, the world's happiest musical opened at the St. James Theater on January 16, 1964. As we are all lovers of musical comedy. let's each of us do something to celebrate the day. Of course the Irish have their "wearin' of the green" on St. Patrick's Day. Let me suggest we have the "wearin' of the red" for Dolly Day.
(For the uninitiated, Dolly wore a brilliant red gown when she walked down the stairs of the Harmonia Gardens Restaurant in Act II.)

Of course, we'll all play the OBC tomorrow, won'e we?

[Allie]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 4:52pm

Of course I will, Dollypop. Hello, Dolly! was the first (well, and only) big show I was in, and it'll always have a special place in my heart. I played Mrs. Molloy, and I'll always remember hearing Ribbons Down My Back for the first time and not quite loving it (but I learned to!), and hearing It Only Takes a Moment for the first time and immediately loving it.

Last month, I was at a thrift store, and was looking at all the music they had - CD's, tapes, and records. I thought I saw a very familiar feathered head poking out from under a nearby clothing rack. I was delighted to see that it was a Hello, Dolly! record. For two dollars! What a find.

[The Grovers Corners Yenta2]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 5:13pm

Hello Dolly was the first musical I ever saw on Broadway and I was about 13 at the time. Ethel Merman was Dolly and it was the most incredible experience I ever had. I had deen some local theater productions before, but nothing of a Broadway caliber. When I was in high School, DollyPop used to take us on field trips to see Broadway shows. We would always meet the performer after the show. I remember meeting Carol Channing after a performance of Lorelei and was very taken by her presence. Several years later I was working at a facility in Missouri for mentally retarded children and we took the kids on a trip to Kansas City to Carol Channing in HELLO DOLLY. The kids loved it and couldn't stop singing the lyrics. DollyPop had taught me well, so I arranged a meeting with Ms. Channing for kids afterwards. They fell in love with her. I will proudly wear a red turtleneck tomorrow in honor of HELLO DOLLY.

[mominator]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 5:14pm

Count me in too DP!!!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 5:15pm

As for me, I'll be wearing ribbons down my back.

[The Grovers Corners Yenta2]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 5:16pm

And put on your Sunday clothes!

[mominator]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 5:17pm

Some how on "Dolly Day" I could never feel down ond out!

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 5:20pm

i will wear a red tie tomorrow at work in honor of Hello, Dolly!, Jerry Herman and La Channing. Definitely one of the most fun musicals out there!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 7:23pm

The snow we had today reminded me that it was snowing ever so lightly when my mother and I headed to the St. James Theater on January 16, 1964. Yup, we were there on Opening Night--sitting 3rd row center, if you please! My father was an auto mechanic and one of his customers was associated with the TV show "That Was The Week That Was". He somehow got us tickets for the show. The price $9.90 apiece! I've saved the stubs.

[mominator]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 7:30pm

DP, that is so neat!!!

[justagirl2]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 7:37pm

Oh, I'll celebrate by being at a Hello, Dolly! rehearsal. Nothing to remind me of the show like singing its songs for 3 hours!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 7:37pm

Yup, that was the first time I saw the show. Ultimately I saw all the great ladies who played Dolly on Broadway (Jerry Herman joked with me because he was ill when Martha Raye played Dolly and he never got to see her. I did!) Ultimately, I saw the original Broadway production, the various revivals and tours a total of 74 times. Yup, I even saw Mary Martin when she played the role on tour!

Updated On: 1/15/06 at 07:37 PM

[mominator]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 7:39pm

DP, I am soo jealous!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 7:56pm

Jealous? Think of all the money I spent on theater tickets, transportation, meals and third-rate hotel rooms in rundown cities!

[The Grovers Corners Yenta2]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 7:59pm

If I am ever on a stage again, this is the one roll I want to play before I die. Either in Hello Dolly or The Matchmaker.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 8:02pm

Not if I'm playing the part, kiddo!

[The Grovers Corners Yenta2]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 8:04pm

You are in mourning, you should not be in a show.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 8:05pm

Brendan would want me to fulfill my life's dream.

[The Grovers Corners Yenta2]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 8:10pm

Perhaps the Gateway PlayHouse will cast you as Dolly in an upcoming production. Then my beloved Aunt Arline will play VanderGelder. Wouldnt that cause a scene?

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 8:12pm

The Gateway Playhouse did the show 8 years ago. Mimi Hines played Dolly and was dreadful. In fact, the whole production was dreadful. "Sunday Clothes" was done all in white.

[The Grovers Corners Yenta2]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 8:15pm

That is dreadful!!! And that should be illegal.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 10:19pm

Did I tell you, Yenta, that the Gateway also does shows at the recently-converted Patchogue Theater now?

[beacon1]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 10:20pm

Do I sense another article here, Dollypop?

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 10:25pm

Carol told me I can interview her again on DOLLY's 45th anniversary. That means a 3 year wait and Carol will be 88. God Bless Her!

[beacon1]

Posted: 1/15/06 at 10:25pm

And what an interview that will be!