Ideas for Horace Vandergelder opposite Bette Midler- Page 2

[HorseTears]

Posted: 1/20/16 at 10:24pm

Ed O'Neill? 

[goldenboy]

Posted: 1/20/16 at 11:11pm

Well I always thought it was a thankless role until I saw Lewis J Stadlen do it opposite Lee Roy Reames.Stadlen was hysterical in the role and was nominated for a Carbonnell award (Florida's Tonys). I remember thinking Lee Roy was okay but Lewis Stadlen was  perfect blend of role and actor. He was born to play that role.

[OKBroadwayFan]

Posted: 1/20/16 at 11:13pm

For the love of God, I hope it is NOT Matthew Broderick.

[Melissa25]

Posted: 1/20/16 at 11:13pm

Tony Sheldon was excellent and I'd love to see him back on Broadway.   I like the JK Simmons idea too.

 

[Ado Annie D'Ysquith]

Posted: 1/21/16 at 9:08am

I'm happy about this news. I still really want a proper MAME revival, but this will do.

Anyway, Peter Gallagher could be fun...I liked him in the similar role from On the 20th Century. I'm just rooting for Judy Kaye as Mrs. Molloy, opposite Laura Osnes as Minnie. Sydney Lucas is too young for Ermingarde, sadly...

[PalJoey]

Posted: 1/21/16 at 10:08am

 

Billy Crystal.

 

 

[theatregeek6]

Posted: 1/21/16 at 11:52am

Since Midler is over 70, most of the names here turn Dolly into a May-December show - with Dolly on the December side.  I agree, no real 'name' is needed, and would expect the role should go to a seasoned, curmudgeonly type.

[DAME]

Posted: 1/21/16 at 12:03pm

Alec Baldwin.   

[newintown]

Posted: 1/21/16 at 12:11pm

How about one of her old co-stars? James Caan, Danny DeVito, Richard Dreyfuss (redeeming himself after The Producers), Bill Irwin?

[Auggie27]

Posted: 1/21/16 at 12:15pm

Simmons is the single best idea I've read.  (Who remembers him from "Peter Pan"?)  I think we need a Horace with clanging balls, or close enough, opposite Bette.  Somebody Dolly would eat a chicken dinner and dance with waiters to get into the sack.  I think sexualizing Dolly a bit -- she wants to get laid, or what the hell is that parade about? -- will be a plus, and try to stop Midler from finding that.  

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 1/21/16 at 10:00pm

Mr. Nowack said: "The original production did cast a name once, Cab Calloway when the cast went all-black. How big a name he was by the late '60s though I do not know.

 

"

Thanks for the reminder, Mr. N. I think you're right that Calloway counted as a name; not as big as Bailey by then, but still a star. I was mid-teens and not sure who he was, but I did recognize the name. I'm sure the middle-aged ticket buying audience knew him well.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 1/22/16 at 11:11am

What about John Cleese?

[Patty3]

Posted: 1/22/16 at 12:46pm

If Midler is 70 how about John Cullum? Would love to see him back in a musical.

 

[madbrian]

Posted: 1/22/16 at 12:50pm

While I would live to see Cullum back on stage, I think he's too old for this.  The relationship between Horace and Irene has to be believable, and with Cullum at 85, that would be pushing it.

[TerrenceIsTheMann]

Posted: 1/22/16 at 12:51pm

JK Simmons please... His performance in Whiplash still has me in knots.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 1/22/16 at 1:45pm

Ed O'Neill..... now i like the sound of that!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/22/16 at 2:51pm

Loretta Swit?

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 1/24/16 at 3:50am

I think it should be a Broadway musical gem of yesteryear who sings very well and will not get washed out by Bette. James Naughton, Berry Bostwick, Michael O'Keefe, Len Cariou or Chip Zien. Someone who can sell a musical number and is a good actor.

Updated On: 1/24/16 at 03:50 AM

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 1/24/16 at 10:02am

I'm seconding PalJoey -- Billy Crystal. (Especially after watching Parental Guidance and seeing how well they played off of each other.)

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 1/24/16 at 10:55am

The only one born to play the role - Dollypop

[felixleiter]

Posted: 1/24/16 at 8:50pm

Nick Wyman.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 1/24/16 at 8:57pm

madbrian said: "While I would live to see Cullum back on stage, I think he's too old for this.  The relationship between Horace and Irene has to be believable, and with Cullum at 85, that would be pushing it.

 

"

I think Horace and Irene are supposed to be ridiculous, not believable. But I agree that Callum would make it TOO ridiculous.

[Londonskyguy]

Posted: 1/25/16 at 1:05pm

I am predicting Boyd Gaines,,,also Laura Benanti as Irene.  When Bette leaves the show, I think LuPone would be a perfect fit to take over.

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 1/25/16 at 9:47pm

Better yet, why not an alternating cast, Bette four performances a week and Patti four.

[broadwayboy223]

Posted: 1/25/16 at 9:52pm

LOL  I highly doubt Patti will want to be a replacement.