Bette Midler Confirms Broadway Return in HELLO DOLLY
#75Bette Midler Confirms Broadway Return in HELLO DOLLY
Posted: 1/19/16 at 3:11pm
Wilmingtom said: "Would Annaleigh Ashford be a potential Minnie Fay? "
Is this open ended? If it is, she wouldn't be able to if her television show is picked up for a fifth season. And chances are, it will be. Apart from that, I don't think she would/should at this point in her career. She would be great, no doubt. Just a tad too small for her. I'd like to see her return to musicals in "Sweet Charity", and that's what she's been talking about for a couple of years, so hopefully it comes to fruition next season. Or, if her team is aiming for another Tony, the season after next. We all know Bette will be walking away with the Tony for this.
#76Bette Midler Confirms Broadway Return in HELLO DOLLY
Posted: 1/19/16 at 3:21pm
I'd like to see Bryce Pinkham as Cornelius.
#77Bette Midler Confirms Broadway Return in HELLO DOLLY
Posted: 1/19/16 at 3:55pm
We all know Bette will be walking away with the Tony for this.
From your lips to God's ears. She wasn't even nominated for the 2013 one-woman-showcase I'LL EAT YOU LAST.
#78Bette Midler Confirms Broadway Return in HELLO DOLLY
Posted: 1/19/16 at 3:59pm
artscallion said: "I'd like to see Bryce Pinkham as Cornelius.
"
Absolutely love this idea! I definitely second that!
Broadway kid 2
Stand-by Joined: 6/7/14
#79Bette Midler Confirms Broadway Return in HELLO DOLLY
Posted: 1/19/16 at 4:11pm
BrodyFosse123 said: "We all know Bette will be walking away with the Tony for this.
From your lips to God's ears. She wasn't even nominated for the 2013 one-woman-showcase I'LL EAT YOU LAST.
"
smidge
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/16/06
#80Bette Midler Confirms Broadway Return in HELLO DOLLY
Posted: 1/19/16 at 4:47pm
artscallion said: "I'd like to see Bryce Pinkham as Cornelius.
I love this idea also! The suggestions of Rob McClure are fine too. I just wonder what Horace will have the best chemistry with Bette
"
#81Bette Midler Confirms Broadway Return in HELLO DOLLY
Posted: 1/19/16 at 5:03pm
Yes, they need to cast someone who will work fine with Middler, and I'm sure she will be deeply involved in the casting of Horace. Boyd Gaines did beautiful, understated work in GYPSY that perfectly complemented LuPone's larger-than-life Rose. I love the suggestion of him playing Horace.
jimmycurry01
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/28/05
#82Bette Midler Confirms Broadway Return in HELLO DOLLY
Posted: 1/19/16 at 5:11pm
We I see words like "new production" and "pay tribute to" I don't expect the same tired production that we have seen time and time again.
I would think a new production means just that. It will be new, and it will pay tribute to the original, but not recreate it.
#83Bette Midler Confirms Broadway Return in HELLO DOLLY
Posted: 1/19/16 at 5:35pm
I think Elliott Gould would be a great choice for Horace. I think he and Midler would have the perfect chemistry together. Plus it would be nice to see Gould return to Broadway musicals after all these decades. I still listen to him often on the I CAN GET IT FOR YOU WHOLESALE cast album and the in house recording of DRAT ! THE CAT!. I once saw him in THE FANTASTICKS with Minnelli and he was a great El Gallo.
ChiTheaterFan
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/9/15
#84Bette Midler Confirms Broadway Return in HELLO DOLLY
Posted: 1/19/16 at 6:53pm
bpr515 said: "I was holding out hope that she'd bring Rochelle, Rochelle: The Musical to Broadway, but I guess this is good news as well. :)
"
I've had her singing this song stuck in my head since I read the news this morning.
Well, you've made a long journey from Milan to Minsk.... Rochelle Rochelle.
Emmaloucbway
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/16/11
#85Bette Midler Confirms Broadway Return in HELLO DOLLY
Posted: 1/19/16 at 6:57pm
I think Josh Grisetti would also make a good Cornelius.
#86Bette Midler Confirms Broadway Return in HELLO DOLLY
Posted: 1/19/16 at 7:46pm
John Goodman or JK Simmons as Horace
Updated On: 1/19/16 at 07:46 PM
asmith0307
Broadway Star Joined: 8/5/14
#87Bette Midler Confirms Broadway Return in HELLO DOLLY
Posted: 1/19/16 at 7:50pm
Back to Mitchell leaving Shuffle Along - just a note that both Shuffle and Dolly are both produced by Scott Rudin so as long as he's okay with it....
#88Bette Midler Confirms Broadway Return in HELLO DOLLY
Posted: 1/19/16 at 8:08pm
Michael Urie or Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Cornelius.
Benanti is a natural choice but one Diva backstage will be enough, I think Kate Baldwin is a better fit.
And Minnie and Barnaby are "dancing" roles so think major dancers for those 2. I think Danny Burstein is perfect for Horace but Gaines is also a great choice, and so is Grammer.
#89Bette Midler Confirms Broadway Return in HELLO DOLLY
Posted: 1/19/16 at 8:49pm
In a perfect world, Justin Timberlake as Cornelius. Getting serious (and marketable) if they cast a bit older, Sean Hayes or Cheyenne Jackson or Tony Yazbeck. If younger, Darren Criss (a better role than Hedwig for him) or Nick Jonas.
...and actually, Justin Guarini would be great.
#90Bette Midler Confirms Broadway Return in HELLO DOLLY
Posted: 1/19/16 at 8:58pm
Mark, I'd have trouble believing some of those men could reach the age of 28 without ever kissing a girl.
Now Charles Nelson Reilly I could believe. Michael Crawford, too.
My point is that Cornelius isn't supposed to be a handsome, romantic lead.
#91Bette Midler Confirms Broadway Return in HELLO DOLLY
Posted: 1/19/16 at 9:06pm
GavestonPS said: "My point is that Cornelius isn't supposed to be a handsome, romantic lead."
In that case, where can I send my résumé?
#92Bette Midler Confirms Broadway Return in HELLO DOLLY
Posted: 1/19/16 at 9:55pm
Here's hoping this production is racially diverse.
Outside of Brian Stokes Mitchell, the casting suggestions in this thread are blindingly white.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#93Bette Midler Confirms Broadway Return in HELLO DOLLY
Posted: 1/19/16 at 9:59pm
GavestonPS, I'm sure you're right about Cornelius. To be frank, as I'm not a fan of Jerry Herman, in truth I'm relying upon dim memories of the one time I made it through the movie. (However, I eagerly await a big Broadway production with Bette)
Updated On: 1/19/16 at 09:59 PM
#94Bette Midler Confirms Broadway Return in HELLO DOLLY
Posted: 1/19/16 at 10:07pm
Victor Garber --Horace (Edit: or Bette's ex boyfriend/co star Peter Reigert as Horace)
Kate Baldwin--Irene
Updated On: 1/19/16 at 10:07 PM
chanel
Broadway Star Joined: 1/28/04
#95Bette Midler Confirms Broadway Return in HELLO DOLLY
Posted: 1/19/16 at 10:13pm
Anyone know why Kristin didn't work out? Too chirpy?
#96Bette Midler Confirms Broadway Return in HELLO DOLLY
Posted: 1/19/16 at 10:17pm
Bette is 100% the better choice. I'm sure they've pursued Bette since I'll Eat You Last but it probably took a lot of time to get her on board. I would think Kristin was more of a potential back up.
chanel
Broadway Star Joined: 1/28/04
#97Bette Midler Confirms Broadway Return in HELLO DOLLY
Posted: 1/19/16 at 10:20pm
Kristin would be better for MInnie Fay, or would have been at some point.
#98Bette Midler Confirms Broadway Return in HELLO DOLLY
Posted: 1/19/16 at 10:26pm
somethingwicked said: "Here's hoping this production is racially diverse.
Oh God-------Here we go yet again ! Didn't that train leave x number of threads back ?
Outside of Brian Stokes Mitchell, the casting suggestions in this thread are blindingly white.
"
JaglinSays
Stand-by Joined: 5/22/14
#99Bette Midler Confirms Broadway Return in HELLO DOLLY
Posted: 1/19/16 at 10:51pm
Jesus, I have a hard time imagining her slogging through 8 a week, vocally and otherwise.
She was wan in I'll Eat You Last, and that was....sitting down!
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