Replacements for David Hyde Pierce in Hello, Dolly!

[WaffleOnWheels]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 1:58pm

This has been on my mind for a while, wondering what they are going to do when DHP leaves Dolly. 

The only other "big name" (which I believe they would want for Horace Vandergelder) that I can think of that may be a good choice is Joel Grey, however, he is getting quite old, and probably would not be up to this. 

Although, he was on Broadway in The Cherry Orchard last season, so who knows. He seems like he still has a lot of energy and wants to do stuff.

Any other thoughts?

[haterobics]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 2:02pm

WaffleOnWheels said: "Any other thoughts?"

Until we know there is a Dolly after Bette leaves in January, not sure there is a need to speculate on who else might leave the show and who would replace them... 

And yes, Joel Grey is 85, I doubt he would want something this... involved.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 2:37pm

And, frankly, a name as Vandergelder is NOT necessary if Dolly is.  But haterobics is right in saying that it doesn't matter at all if Dolly is not viable without Bette.

[quizking101]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 2:41pm

If the Patti LaBelle rumor pans out, maybe Norm Lewis

[Adelaidely]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 2:54pm

Why not Kelsey Grammar? Keep in in the (fictional) family.

[Valentina3]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 3:17pm

Well... there's always Nathan Lane though I'd like to see his Dolly more than his Horace.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 3:20pm

How about Boyd Gaines? Or Victor Garber?

[LarryD2]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 3:29pm

Boyd would be superb if they're not looking for a star.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 3:30pm

Norbert Leo Butz.

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 3:35pm

BroadwayConcierge said: "Norbert Leo Butz.

And who would play his Dolly? Anna Kendrick?

 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 3:38pm

...what?

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 3:40pm

He is substantially too young to perform alongside someone like Bette Midler or Donna Murphy.  You would have to cast someone like Anna Kendrick in order for Dolly to not look like his mother, which, clearly would be quite problematic.

[Eliza2]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 3:42pm

Terrence Mann

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 3:44pm

I mean, he's 50, and I don't think he reads all that young. Slap the same facial hair Pierce is sporting right now on Butz, and I don't think age would be an apparent issue at all. I think he'd read as the perfect Horace Vandergelder (though I certainly see where you're coming from).

[bfreak]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 3:44pm

And David Hyde Pierce is also contracted through January at this point, correct?

[LarryD2]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 3:49pm

GeorgeandDot said: "He is substantially too young to perform alongside someone like Bette Midler or Donna Murphy.  You would have to cast someone like Anna Kendrick in order for Dolly to not look like his mother, which, clearly would be quite problematic.

 

"

Norbert is 50. Donna is 58. Bette is 71, but that is not the norm for Dolly. Really, the characters of Horace and Dolly should be (or be able to convincingly read) forties/fifties, and Cornelius and Irene should be or read late twenties/early thirties. Carol Channing was in her early forties when she originated the role.

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 6:26pm

Michael McGrath? I know he's been linked to The Honeymooners, but he's such a talented comedic actor.

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 6:29pm

Tony Sheldon. He did a great Horace opposite Klea Blackhurst at Goodspeed, he'd nail it. Plus he's already familiar with Penny in My Pocket. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-4t1dLdfg0

[JustAnotherNewYorker]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 8:01pm

Valentina3 said: "Well... there's always Nathan Lane though I'd like to see his Dolly more than his Horace."

I have tickets for January 14th. I'd come again on the 15th if they replaced Bette with Nathan...

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 8:04pm

I just want Harvey Fierstein to play Dolly.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 8:06pm

oncemorewithfeeling2 said: "Michael McGrath? I know he's been linked to The Honeymooners, but he's such a talented comedic actor.

 

"

Doesn't McGrath have a hard time walking now? How's the movement like for Horace? I can't imagine him doing a role with a lot of mobility. 

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 9:05pm

Boyd Gaines has already agreed to play Horace when I get to be Dolly. So has Alec Baldwin.

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 6/15/17 at 10:43pm

Oh, you beautiful people. Joel Grey, Terrence Mann, Tony Sheldon, Victor Garber, Kelsey Grammer...? It's a good thing you're not doing the casting or I might be compelled to shell out the money to see this. 

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 6/16/17 at 1:34am

Tony Shalhoub; although with The Band's Visit coming to Broadway I imagine that casting choice would be impossible.

Updated On: 6/16/17 at 01:34 AM

[The Other One]

Posted: 6/16/17 at 8:31am

Tough role to cast, actually.  You have to be big enough for your billing to matter but not so big that you'd mind being the second banana.

Brad Garrett or Chris Rock would be funny.  Don't know if either wants to come back to Broadway, but each would be funny.  

John C. Reilly would be a great choice.

Updated On: 6/17/17 at 08:31 AM