I think Barbra Streisand was the quintessential Dolly. I would LOVE to see her in this, although I'd bet my life she would never do it. So my second choice is Bette Midler.
The New York Times says that Patti is apparently very keen on this happening, although obviously nothing is a done deal.
Hello, Patti: What’s Next for La LuPone?
I don't know which is worse, the thought of LuPone as Dolly, or the thought of her as Joanne in Company.
Even though Patti is growing on me, I don't want this. I have been screaming NO NO NO NO NO ever since I read the article.
Dolly: Reba McEntire
Horace: Marc Kudisch
Irene: Christiane Noll
Minnie: Jessica Grove
Cornelius: David Burkta
Barnaby: Tyler Maynard
I think Patti will surprise us. Not many wanted her to reprise her Mrs. Lovett in 2005. And she wound up surprising us with a totally new interpretation, and she won raves for it.
The Patti haters will continue hating. But I think this is exciting news.
Updated On: 12/14/10 at 04:43 PM
I'd really like to see Kate Baldwin as Irene Malloy, since I know she's played the role before. This probably wouldn't gain any speed until at least the fall anyway, though.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/28/05
^With LuPone as Dolly, one can assume that Irene would be Laura Benanti.
Maybe Benanti will play Dolly and LuPone will play Irene Malloy.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
It's also safe to assume that Boyd Gaines will be Horace.
Dollypop is the one poster I would trust on this topic. A reprise of the LuPone, Benanti, and Gaines trio would be so exciting!
Broadway Star Joined: 4/7/08
And I repeat: I vote NO on Patti LuPone...and I vote NO on Prop Eight!!
"LuPone's representative told Playbill.com it was too early to speculate about a Hello, Dolly! revival, saying, "She has talked on the phone with Jerry Herman, but that's as far as it's gone."
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/145852-Could-Hello-Dolly-With-Patti-LuPone-Parade-to-Broadway
I'm not the worlds biggest Patti fan by any stretch, but I actually think she would be wonderful in the role. And of course she would have to come with the package deal of Benanti and Gaines.
I really, Really, REALLY like the idea of Kate Baldwin as Irene Molloy.
I could easily see this turning into another Annie Get Your Gun. LuPone, though wrong for the role, gets the part, critical praise, and sells tickets. Then Reba comes in, and folks see how the part really should be played.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/28/09
I would run to see Patti with Benanti and Gaines in anything.
Understudy Joined: 9/1/09
No Patti LaPone. Dolly needs to be likable and I seriously doubt that Patti can pull that off.
Chorus Member Joined: 4/23/10
NO!!!!! Dolly needs to be charming and Patti isn't really charming, you know what I mean? I'm in the minority that thinks Babs is perfection in the film version. Christine Ebersole would be a much better choice in my opinion.
BTW, I recently saw Marilyn Maye at the Metropolitan Room and she could totally still do it.
Updated On: 12/14/10 at 07:25 PM
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/21/06
Patti isn't charming? Excuse me? Whenever I've seen her she's had a the crowd in the palm of her hands.
The board will hate this, I'm sure.
I thought it was gonna be Bernadette, until Herman nixed that. I, for one, am thrilled and especially glad it isn't going to be a movie star.
Brick, not everyone can be a gentleman and scholar like you, with such exquisite taste in entertainment.
If Patti cannot do Dolly, I think Samantha Spiro would be great.
Who I hear you say?
Samantha won The Best Actress Olivier this year, which are the London equivalent of The Tonys, playing the role of Dolly, if she is award winning London actress for this role, she would be perfect for a Broadway stage.
Well, after she ruined GYPSY, now she's going to ruin DOLLY.
Broadway Star Joined: 5/26/07
Yayy it's Bitter Bert back to spew hateful posts about Patti LuPone in between hocking his tired wares
Oh joy.
I love that she took every New York theater award for ruining "Gypsy."
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