I guess Bernadette is no longer one of Jerry's girls.
I can see Latifah in it. She's what? 40? LuPone? Sure. Ebersole? Yeah! Reba? No.
Hai guyz! Wot about eYeDiNa?!?! she would be great....
kidding...
um I would totally stand behind Peters or Testa... maaaaaaaaybe ebersole.... but i'd really like to see Babs take another stab at it...
Dolly is loud, brassy, and broad. I'm sitting here trying to figure out a single reason why anyone could think that Patti Lupone is not perfect for the role. And I mean that in a nice way, honestly.
I would be in New York so fast if Hello, Dolly! were revived. I hope this happens.
"Dolly is loud, brassy, and broad."
Exactly. How does Peters fit any of those characteristics?
One for the "it'll never happen" list, but would be good - Cher.
BroadwayEnthusiast, thanks for completing my thought on the loud, brassy, and broad. I meant to bring that up about Peters, but left it with the shock of Lupone NOT fitting it. Why would anyone NOT think Lupone is perfect for Dolly? (other than those who think she can't sing, can't act, and has no talent)
Meanwhile, is my memory failing, or wasn't there a real plan at one time for Milton Berle to play the role on Broadway? I'm sure I've read that, but now can't find anything.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/17/04
One of David Merrick's ideas late in the run of the original DOLLY was to cast Jack Benny as Dolly, with George Burns as Vendergelder. Hard to tell if it was ever seriously considered, but floating the idea certainly got him a lot of press at the time.
Latifah is inspired casting, but I have always and still do dream of the day Bernadette takes the role.
Megan Mullally.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
Carol Channing told me that the secret to playing Dolly is to realize the woman is hilariously funny but doesn't realize it. With that in mind, the only real Dolly would be Georgia Engle.
Oh well, I just hope they retain the original gower Champion staging.
I would really like to see Dollypop come down the Harmonia Gardens stairs, but I guess I never will.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
Supposedly, the Benny/Burns casting didn't happen because Benny would only agree to do it for one week.
Updated On: 7/14/08 at 10:23 AM
Broadway Star Joined: 12/16/06
OOO I like the idea of Megan Mullaly
Ah, yes. Jack Benny not Milton Berle. But shouldn't Dolly be older than 39?
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/17/04
Did any female star at the time NOT play Dolly?
On Braodway, Channing, Grable, Rogers, Raye, Bailey, Diller, and Merman (and sometime Osterwald).
On film: Streisand.
On tour: Martin, Lamour, Arden, DeCarlo (who am I missing?)
Broadway Star Joined: 5/19/03
McIntyre is a GREAT choice. She has the comic timing, the personality, and the star quality for the role. Screw the accent!
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/21/06
Yeah, I think Reba is genius choice. I'd love to see LuPone, but I find it unlikely.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/17/04
Andrea Martin would be terrific DOLLY.
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/2/05
I'd vote for Debra Monk.
Chorus Member Joined: 4/24/08
Another vote for Megan Mullally -- with Danny Burstein as Horace!
Another for the "it'll never happen" list.
Bette Midler.
She would be fun.
I'd LOVE to see Patti as Dolly, but I don't know how likely I think it is that she'll do another big musical revival so soon after Gypsy.
Reba's accent is definitely a problem.
i want Bernadette!
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