Next Dolly after BP?- Page 2

[Eliza2]

Posted: 2/23/18 at 6:49pm

Betsy Wolfe

 

[OuttaTowner]

Posted: 2/23/18 at 7:37pm

Reba’s website lists performances through the end of August in Vegas. If you factor in a short break and rehearsal time, I doubt she’d be ready to step in much before November.

[Fetus]

Posted: 2/23/18 at 10:17pm

Would love to see Reba, but probably unlikely she would be Bernadette's replacement given she has performances through August.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 2/25/18 at 12:34am

Honestly, most anyone known celeb singer/actress could play this role. It's not difficult. And it's just about personality 

[Loopin’theloop]

Posted: 2/25/18 at 10:10am

Ripped Man, I think you are underestimating how hard a role like Dolly is to pull off.

However, you are right that much of it comes down to personality but it’s a specific type.

[Littleshopofcarrie]

Posted: 2/25/18 at 10:13am

Anyone think Melissa McCarthy could pull it off? She sounded good on Barbra’s duet album, although it was probably heavily auto tuned.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/25/18 at 10:14am

Dolly isn’t Mama Rose, but Bernadette is proving that more can be brought to the role than just personality. Bette used her persona and star quality to push through every performance. Bernadette is being praised for bringing vulnerability and poignancy with a touch of darkness to the role.

[BJR]

Posted: 2/25/18 at 11:34am

I know the rumors are for Buckley to go in briefly before the tour and then one more big star to close out the production, but I hope it stays open longer. It's wonderful to see so many legends make their mark on a role, especially one designed to show off whatever the strengths of the star.

It should be noted it is expensive to run. So, it wouldn't surprise me if Rudin doesn't want to keep it open once his offers to A-List stars has run out. Someone mentioned Vanessa Williams, for instance, and I agree she would be wonderful. I sincerely doubt, though, she could pull in the kind of figures the show would need to stay open, not to mention pull those figures in for weeks and months. And there's plenty of wonderful actresses at that level of fame and talent, though not box office pull.

PS I would love those Reba rumors to be true. Almost seems too good to be true.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/25/18 at 11:40am

I agree. There’s so many possibilities.
I hope it runs long enough for Patti to finish her London Company run, allowing her to close this production like Merman in the original. Hopefully Herman wouldn’t squash that. I don’t know how much say he actually has at this point.

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 2/25/18 at 3:21pm

Well I maybe be the biggest fan of “name” casting for dolly Levi. It really is a show that I hope runs for years and has at least 5-8 cast changes in its life. Here are some of love to see:

Dolly Parton (yes yes yes. I hope that’s not true about her voice )
Patti Lupone (I’d love to see her paired with Nathan lane as Horace)
Cher (I think she would do well. And sell. I’d imagine a similar pay scale as Bette would work)
Barbra (doubtful. But worth a mention. )
Meryl (I wonder if she would entertain it)
Audra (...okay. I can see it)
Tina turner (I think it would be interesting. Doubtful. But interesting. )

Any thought if they would go with another “Hollywood” type name or now that they’ve gone with a Broadway legend would they stick more with that.

[Zamedy154]

Posted: 2/25/18 at 3:31pm

The best person to step into the role from a talent, box office and 'perfect fit' perspective would be Reba (which would be fitting and funny considering she replaced Bernadette in AGYG). Reba should have starred in the revival. She would have won the Tony hands down. I think even Bernadette would agree she was a better fit for the role. And she'd be incredible as Dolly.

I also think Cher (yes, Cher) would surprise a lot of people and be a great Dolly. She'd certainly add her own flair to it and the box office would go NUTS. She certainly has the stamina necessary and the voice. I was just reading last night how many of those iconic girl group songs from the 60s have her uncredited vocals in the background.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/25/18 at 3:39pm

It seems like the tour is kicking off in Cleveland on October 2. Buckley could do the Broadway production for 7-8 weeks before this apparent big name comes in for 6 months(Oct. 2018 - March 2019).

[David10086]

Posted: 2/26/18 at 10:15am

Betty White or Gabourey Sidbie for the role. 

If they both say no then definitely Christine Baranski (whom I've suggested months ago). 

[Valentina3]

Posted: 2/26/18 at 2:22pm

David10086 said: "Betty White or Gabourey Sidbie for the role.

If they both sayno then definitely Christine Baranski (whom I've suggested months ago)."

Betty White is 96

Gabourey Sidibe is an interesting idea; I don't think she'll sell tickets though, I also haven't ever seen her on stage so it's a huge bargain whether she can do 8 performance a week schedule especially with a role like Dolly who carries the whole show. Taraji P Henson, however...

Christine Baranski is a national treasure (for me anyway) who's more suited for Mame but I'd definitely pay to see her Dolly. I don't think she's that natural of a fit for the role though.

I still want to see Kristin Chenoweth's Dolly in a few years.

[David10086]

Posted: 2/26/18 at 2:54pm

Yes, yes, yes - I know White is 96. I was just joking with both of my suggestions.

However, I'm all for Baranski, and someone else mentioned Melissa McCarthy (another name I mentioned last Fall). I would also add Kelly Bishop (yes, she does musical comedy!) and even Cybil Shepherd (yes, she does musical comedy!). Maybe Bruce Willis as Horrace opposite CS?

 And what about Whoopi Goldberg? She did say recently she would like to take over the role.

I'm not yet on the "Reba" train. I don't know if a country star can pull off a Yonkers accent. Unless they move the location to Nashville....

[DAME]

Posted: 2/26/18 at 2:57pm

Kathi Kee Gifford. And I’d skip it.

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 2/26/18 at 3:03pm

David, no where in the script does it say she was born and reared in Yonkers. I'd easily accept a southern Dolly.

[Bette's Turban]

Posted: 2/26/18 at 3:09pm

DAME said: "Kathi Kee Gifford. And I’d skip it."

That is actually good stunt casting.  I wouldn’t go.  But I imagine it would be box office gold.

[David10086]

Posted: 2/26/18 at 3:10pm

DAME said: "Kathi Kee Gifford. And I’d skip it."

Apparently, KLG was offered the part of Norma Desmond (according to reporters) back in 1996 to replace Buckley, but ABC wouldn't let her out of her five year contract she signed a year prior. She couldn't do the musical each night AND 'Live With Regis and Kathie Lee' every morning while raising her young kids. She passed on SB, yet never forgave ABC - which is why (allegedly) she left the network in 2000, and never went back. At one time (I believe in 2007) Barbara Walters asked her to take over as moderator for 'The View' after Rosie, but KLG would not go back to work for ABC Daytime.

[SeanD2]

Posted: 2/26/18 at 3:49pm

I want to see Cyndi Lauper as Dolly!

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 2/26/18 at 4:23pm

Harvey Fierstein. He would be hysterical and probably sound just like Carol Channing.

Patti Lupone (imagine her belting through that score. I would die).

Audra Mcdonald is a young, but interesting choice.

Also, I wonder what someone like Amy Poehler or Tina Fey could do with the part.

I think the supporting roles could also allow for some fun casting. I'd love to see Betsy Wolfe and Laura Benanti eventually play Irene.

[wssinsider]

Posted: 2/26/18 at 4:33pm

Queen Latifa has been offered the role. They are negotiating

[SomethingPeculiar]

Posted: 2/26/18 at 4:46pm

Latifah, Cher, or Reba seem like the only names mentioned here who would sell a LOT of tickets (Cher being the biggest, but I doubt she’d do it with The Cher Show opening soon.)

Christine Baranski would be marvelous, but if a lot of New Yorkers have already seen Bette and Bernadette (and Donna), would they really want to pay to see Christine Baranski?

[DAME]

Posted: 2/26/18 at 4:53pm

wssinsider said: "Queen Latifa has been offered the role. They are negotiating "

Latifah was offered the role before Bernadette.  She flat out turned it down .  She alluded to it on Andy Cohens show.

[NOWaWarning]

Posted: 2/26/18 at 4:56pm

I hope Faith Prince gets a crack at it. Maybe she can replace Betty on the tour if it runs long enough.