Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London

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Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London

Posted: 11/21/19 at 5:57pm

Imelda will play the title character and Jenna Russell will play Irene Malloy at the Adelphi beginning August 2020. @hellodollyldn The production will be directed by Dominic Cooke (NT Follies) and produced by David Ian and Michael Harrison.

Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London

Posted: 11/21/19 at 6:01pm

If you're going to paste from Baz, I'll include the link.

https://twitter.com/BazBam/status/1197649069914673153

"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt

Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London

Posted: 11/21/19 at 6:04pm

Love Imelda, and I certainly won’t be seeing this since I don’t live in London, but I really hope she doesn’t trot out the stark raving mad schtick she’s been pushing for the last 5 years or so.

Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London

Posted: 11/21/19 at 6:06pm

Mehhhh.

Give me claws and a hunch, just away from this bunch.

Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London

Posted: 11/21/19 at 6:11pm

Why can’t we just have Jenna Russell as Dolly?

Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London

Posted: 11/21/19 at 6:12pm

I’m frankly too much of a Potter nut to like her and root for her so I simply cannot imagine her as Dolly Levi.

That being said, I had no idea she was in musician theatre. I wish them the best. Not a Rudin production I assume?

Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London

Posted: 11/21/19 at 6:15pm

oh lord, how will Imelda complicate this character? Wasn't Elaine Paige available?

"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal "I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello

Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London

Posted: 11/21/19 at 6:15pm

Mike Barrett said: "I’m frankly too much of a Potter nut to like her and root for her so I simply cannot imagine her as Dolly Levi.

That being said, I had no idea she was in musician theatre. I wish them the best. Not a Rudin production I assume? "

She’s been in Follies, Gypsy, and Sweeney Todd just in the last few years

Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London

Posted: 11/21/19 at 6:16pm

Russell seems old for that part no?

#10

Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London

Posted: 11/21/19 at 6:19pm

SouthernCakes said: "Russell seems old for that part no? "

This my my thought too. I’d much rather see Russell’s Dolly.

#11

Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London

Posted: 11/21/19 at 6:20pm

SouthernCakes said: "Russell seems old for that part no?"

In many ways no. I almost makes more sense for a woman her age to be tired of being a widow running a hat shop, tired of being called a wicked woman, and longing to "rejoin the human race."

However it's in the script Cornelius is in his 20s (I forget the age the line says) so it's certainly making a statement about the age gap.

#12

Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London

Posted: 11/21/19 at 6:21pm

Why in the world is this anything other than the Rudin production with Bette at the Palladium?

#13

Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London

Posted: 11/21/19 at 6:23pm

I'm sure this will be... very stately.

"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."

#14

Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London

Posted: 11/21/19 at 6:36pm

nasty_khakis said: "However it's in the script Cornelius is in his 20s (I forget the age the line says) so it's certainly making a statement about the age gap."

He's 33.

#15

Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London

Posted: 11/21/19 at 7:05pm

I'm sure she'll be better than Midler, but I couldn't possibly sit through the show again to find out.

#16

Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London

Posted: 11/21/19 at 7:23pm

So this isn’t the Zaks production? I thought Russell is too old as well.

#17

Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London

Posted: 11/21/19 at 7:25pm

Never mind. BWW updated its original article stating it’s a new production.

#18

Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London

Posted: 11/21/19 at 7:31pm

I also had the initial reaction that Russell is too old. But ultimately the character doesn’t HAVE to be young, and Russell will surely do a great job.

That said, I agree that that she’d be a great Dolly. I don’t mind Imelda; she’s the right “type,” and I’m sure she can hit all the notes and all the comedic beats. But I have a feeling that her Dolly will be pretty devoid of charm and likability.

#19

Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London

Posted: 11/21/19 at 7:33pm

These criticisms sound like people reacting to Buckley all over again and things turned out fine with her. Dolly offers a lot of room for women with different personalities and styles to embody the character.

#20

Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London

Posted: 11/21/19 at 7:51pm

Mike Barrett said: "I’m frankly too much of a Potter nut to like her and root for her so I simply cannot imagine her as Dolly Levi.

That being said, I had no idea she was in musician theatre. I wish them the best. Not a Rudin production I assume? "

Maybe Im twisted ,but Dolores Umbridge is one of my favorite characters. I just love how you evil she is.

Darreyl with an L!

Updated On: 11/21/19 at 07:51 PM

#21

Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London

Posted: 11/21/19 at 7:59pm

gleek4114 said: "Why can’t we just have Jenna Russell as Dolly?"

my exact reaction.

#22

Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London

Posted: 11/21/19 at 8:09pm

What an absolutely insane choice of casting. I’ll be in town for “Sister Act” so I’m 100% going to see this but this will no doubt be the most intense Dolly Levi we’ll ever see. I can’t imagine who they’ll cast as Horace next to her.

#23

Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London

Posted: 11/21/19 at 8:09pm

CATSNYrevival said: "Why in the world is this anything other than the Rudin production with Bette at the Palladium?"

My thoughts too

My father (AIDS) My sister (AIDS) My uncle and my cousin and her best friend (AIDS, AIDS, AIDS) The gays and the straights And the white and the spades

#24

Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London

Posted: 11/21/19 at 8:45pm

The absence of an exclamation point is telling.

#25

Imelda Staunton & Jenna Russell to lead HELLO DOLLY in London

Posted: 11/21/19 at 8:48pm

Hmm... this could possibly be where I celebrate seeing the show for the 100th time.

"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)

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