Dolly's Age?

Dolly is in her 40s. She is often played by actresses who are well north of that however.

The main criticism of Barbra when the film was released was that she was way too young. It was criticism that began when her casting was announced. I also feel that it was justified. Barbra was about 26 when the film was shot. This would make her 19 when she was widowed. What was her age when she married? 12?

Dolly had a long successful marriage that ended with Ephraim's death seven years prior to the show.

TotallyEffed said: "She is Carol Channing years old."

Hahaha, loving this.

MadViolist said: "Having recently seen Hello, Dolly! on stage for the first time, I got really confused. How old is she supposed to be? When I saw the movie, I thought Barbra seemed very age appropriate -.wasn't she in her late twenties/early thirties? Yet the actress I saw in the stage version was obviously much older. I don't mean to be rude, I still very much enjoyed the performance but it sometimes almost felt like a parody.

(Yes, I know, some actors, such as Bernadette, can pull it off but that's not always the case.)"

She needs to be old enough that the audience feel it’s her last chance at happiness. When she sings ‘Before the Parade Passes By’ we need to feel that the parade really is about to pass by without her and she won’t get another chance to take life with both hands and live again.

Its absolutely true that woman married much younger in that era but a thirty year old is not going to have the poignancy of someone 50+

dramamama611 said: "For me, the ideal dolly is 40 or 50. Vandergelder isn't a young man, so there's that match up.



Irene Malloy is in her 20s or 30s - so there should be some difference, esp to accept Mrs. Levi as wiser."

Would you say mid-50s is feasible?

Barbra was one of those people who looked older than she was when she ws young- and younger than she is when she is older. Whereas not many actresses/singers could pull off a credible Dolly in their 20's- Barbra, IMO- did- so age was not an issue with this performance. Generally, though- a woman in middle age or older would be perfect casting. Interesting that while no one has tried to fill Barbra's shoes in a revival of Funny Girl- lots of actresses have made their mark on Dolly- yes, Channing was superb- and she created the role- but it is a vehicle that has been very successful for a wide variety of a performers. Would love to see Harvey Fierstein try it.

In the old days, they referred to it as a woman "of a certain age".

The fabulous Ruth Gorden was 59 when she originated the role of Dolly in Thornton Wilders "The Matchmaker" the play "Hello Dolly" is based on. Shirley Booth was in her 50s when she did the movie. I think 30's and early 40s is a bit young. Dolly was supposed to have been married for a long time and widowed for a long time. 50's seems to be the ideal age. Barbra on the other hand was completely miscast in the role.