44 Years Ago Tonight

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/16/08 at 10:59pm

HELLO, DOLLY! opened on Broadway. What a night!

I celebrated the occasion by having a fancy dinner and chatting with Jerry Herman by telephone. He was almost in tears as he recounted his memories of that spectacular opening.

[BigFatBlonde]

Posted: 1/16/08 at 11:00pm

Call him back and tell him we LOVE him!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/16/08 at 11:02pm

Jerry already knows. He's logged into BWW and read not only the article I wrote about him at the end of '07, but the comments so many of you left in the feedback section. He's very touched by all the accolades. Seriously, he is.

[whatever2]

Posted: 1/16/08 at 11:03pm

wait, wait, wait ... im confused: what does this have to do with Rent?

[sing_dance_love]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 3:02am

LOL.

But seriously, thats great. Hello Dolly! was my first musical I was ever in and I still find myself singing "Put on your Sunday Clothes" to cheer myself up.

And I still find "Ribbons Down My Back" to be just beautiful and I always stop and listen we it pops up on itunes. yay.

[Urban]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 7:15am

I don' think I can hate you anymore now. :-p Hehe.

You talked to Jerry Herman! And about the show! Pity it wasn't talking about the show with Jerry Herman over dinner!

Seriously I will put on my copy of "Mack & Mabel" now as a tribute.

[kooky]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 9:39am

Yes Yes, call him back - - - we DO all love him!

[Lynnespock2]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 1:26pm

What they said!

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 1:38pm

44 years ago?!

That's before I was born, even if someone DID call me Grandpa in another thread...

[philcrosby]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 1:52pm

Bravo Jerry, Michael, Gower, Freddy, Oliver, Jean and Mr Merrick for bringing this wonderful show to life.

Brava to the Dollys: Carol, Ginger, Betty, Martha, Phyllis, Pearl, Ethel and the ever-present Bibi. And to the Dollys on the road: Eve, Yvonne, Dorothy, and Mary.

Love and kisses to all!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 10:37pm

Judging from the tone of Jerry's voice when he talks about the show, it's still his favorite.

He told me that no one involved in the show realized they were becoming involved with Broadway history until the reviews came in.

[DAME]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 10:45pm

Wouldn't Clay Aiken make a fabulous Cornelius?

[Kev2222]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 7:31am

Wouldn't Clay Aiken make a fabulous Cornelius?

Not a chance.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 8:26am

Gosh, do I love this show. I have so few words. It's just stunning. Listening to the cast recording just infuses me with joy. I love everything about this show.

I know that this saying is a cliche, but in this case it's true:

They don't make 'em like this anymore.

Not even CURTAINS -- a show I do enjoy -- which so many people bill as today's new "Old Fashioned Musical Comedy," cannot be placed in the same genre as HELLO, DOLLY!

What is so special about this musical is that it is something that the whole family can enjoy. No low brow humor. No cursing. No sexual innuendos. Just plain old fashioned singing and dancing, great comedy, and lots and lots of fun.

It seems that the only new musicals nowadays that can be pitched to families are Disney shows, which is really a shame.

I wish someone would step up to the plate and write a new, clean, fun, old fashioned musical that the whole family can enjoy. Something not based off a cartoon. With an original score. Lively choreography. And an opportunity to create a whole new slew of stars in memorable roles, with lyrics and melodies that parents and kids can listen to in the car on the way to school.

Thank you to everyone who created this joyous piece of musical theatre heaven.

My hats off to Jerry Herman and all involved in this show's creation and those who continue to bring it to life in regional and community productions all over the world.

Updated On: 1/18/08 at 08:26 AM

[Dolly_Levi]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 9:47am

My absolute favorite musical. A delight from start to finish. Beautiful melodies. The book is a study in economy - not an unnecessary word. Such memorable staging. And the iconic "Dolly" number.

Ah, please someone get this back to Bway in a stunning, first-class revival.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 9:49am

The '94 revival was pretty stunning, though if we can have a GYPSY revival every five to ten years, we can certainly have a DOLLY! revival every fourteen.

[Dolly_Levi]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 9:51am

I'll drink to that. 14 years is without a Bway Dolly is too long.

[Broadway Bob*]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 9:58am

I concur. A revival would be fantastic. So.... let the fantasy casting for the role of Dolly begin (and don't say Carol Channing. She's iconic and was beyond brilliant when I saw her in the '94 tour but let's speculate over other possible choices).

I say....
BETTE MIDLER
Beth Leavel

and in a truly fantastical idea, since she's now actually age appropriate, let this be the vehicle to bring back to Broadway...
Barbra Streisand!!! (please don't hate me)

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 10:03am

Bette Midler is about 65 years old. Yes, I know Carol played Dolly in her 70s for the '94 revival, but if we want a fresh production, the Dolly should be more age appropriate to the original intentions.

I think Beth Leavel would be fantastic as Dolly.

I'd love to see Bobby Steggert as Cornelius.

[Calvin]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 10:04am

Bringing back Streisand would require installation of wall-to-wall teleprompters in the theatre.

(I don't say that to be mean. When I saw her concert, I could see the teleprompters clearly, and every single word that she said was on there, right down to the banter with Il Divo)

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 10:09am

Ooh, and I want Casey Nicholaw to direct and choreograph.