Dolly Eating on Stage

I've read that during rehearsals and previews of the original production, this was a big problem. Real dumplings remained stuck in Channing's teeth and mouth during her following dialog. Mashed potatoes and beats were tried but with the same problem. Ice cream melted under the lights. Finally the prop man suggested spun sugar, aka cotton candy, and that's what was used.

Updated On: 8/6/17 at 07:32 PM

I would also love to know more about how it's done in the current revival.

Cotton candy-esque balls make sense. (LOL hehe)

They would melt away almost instantly, particularly with the gravy/water, even though Bette makes a big production of eating and chewing them (the shtick as Zamedy notes).

I think there was an earlier thread here (although it could've been all that chat) that revealed that the dumplings are tissues which are soaked in tea for the proper color and dried on a light bulb. They immediately dissolve in her mouth so she can eat one after the other and periodically, she can spit them out into her napkin.

I was told by a cast member that she is eating edible paper--the stuff used to print pictures on cakes and stuff like that--which basically starts to dissolve the second it hits your tongue.

Yeah, I have a friend in the cast who told me the same thing about he dumplings - they were originally using cotton candy because Bette wanted to use what Carole Channing used, but it made her blood sugar go so crazy that they had to switch to tissue paper balls that she spits into the napkin when she wipes her mouth. No idea about the other food though.

Gee, I hope my two Dollys never read this thread. They ate. (We are talking HS) In fact, one of their moms made a fresh turkey dinner EACH night. The crew got the leftovers. I have to admit, my casts LOVE when I let them eat on stage....so does the crew. It's not always the food they are 'suppose' to be eating, but its food.

nealb1 said: "Loliveve, does it start to dissolve when it hits her mouth, or does it basically dissolve when it hits her mouth? "

I think the answer to your question is starts, but I admit I'm not quite sure what you mean; sorry! Edible paper requires moisture to start dissolving, so it is much faster when placed on, or by, the tongue. Depending on the thickness of the paper used-- there are different ones-- it can still require some chewing. I hope that helps

That's called sarcasm.