Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
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?
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/2/04
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.
Broadway Star Joined: 5/17/05
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.
Count me in too DP!!!
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
As for me, I'll be wearing ribbons down my back.
Broadway Star Joined: 5/17/05
Some how on "Dolly Day" I could never feel down ond out!
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!
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
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.
DP, that is so neat!!!
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!
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
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!
DP, I am soo jealous!
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
Jealous? Think of all the money I spent on theater tickets, transportation, meals and third-rate hotel rooms in rundown cities!
Broadway Star Joined: 5/17/05
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.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
Not if I'm playing the part, kiddo!
Broadway Star Joined: 5/17/05
You are in mourning, you should not be in a show.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
Brendan would want me to fulfill my life's dream.
Broadway Star Joined: 5/17/05
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?
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
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.
Broadway Star Joined: 5/17/05
That is dreadful!!! And that should be illegal.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
Did I tell you, Yenta, that the Gateway also does shows at the recently-converted Patchogue Theater now?
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/31/04
Do I sense another article here, Dollypop?
Patrick Wilson Fans --New "UnOfficial Fan Site". Come check us out!
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
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!
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/31/04
And what an interview that will be!
Patrick Wilson Fans --New "UnOfficial Fan Site". Come check us out!
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