Replacements for David Hyde Pierce in Hello, Dolly!
Replacements for David Hyde Pierce in Hello, Dolly!
WaffleOnWheels
Stand-by Joined: 6/2/17
#1Replacements for David Hyde Pierce in Hello, Dolly!
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?
#2Replacements for David Hyde Pierce in Hello, Dolly!
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
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#3Replacements for David Hyde Pierce in Hello, Dolly!
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.
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These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#4Replacements for David Hyde Pierce in Hello, Dolly!
Posted: 6/15/17 at 2:41pm
If the Patti LaBelle rumor pans out, maybe Norm Lewis
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#5Replacements for David Hyde Pierce in Hello, Dolly!
Posted: 6/15/17 at 2:54pm
Why not Kelsey Grammar? Keep in in the (fictional) family.
#6Replacements for David Hyde Pierce in Hello, Dolly!
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.
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#7Replacements for David Hyde Pierce in Hello, Dolly!
Posted: 6/15/17 at 3:20pm
How about Boyd Gaines? Or Victor Garber?
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LarryD2
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/1/14
#8Replacements for David Hyde Pierce in Hello, Dolly!
Posted: 6/15/17 at 3:29pm
Boyd would be superb if they're not looking for a star.
BroadwayConcierge
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/24/15
GeorgeandDot
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/13/16
#10Replacements for David Hyde Pierce in Hello, Dolly!
Posted: 6/15/17 at 3:35pm
BroadwayConcierge said: "Norbert Leo Butz.
And who would play his Dolly? Anna Kendrick?
BroadwayConcierge
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/24/15
GeorgeandDot
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/13/16
#12Replacements for David Hyde Pierce in Hello, Dolly!
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
Broadway Star Joined: 1/7/16
BroadwayConcierge
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/24/15
#14Replacements for David Hyde Pierce in Hello, Dolly!
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
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/6/11
#15Replacements for David Hyde Pierce in Hello, Dolly!
Posted: 6/15/17 at 3:44pm
And David Hyde Pierce is also contracted through January at this point, correct?
LarryD2
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/1/14
#16Replacements for David Hyde Pierce in Hello, Dolly!
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.
#17Replacements for David Hyde Pierce in Hello, Dolly!
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
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/4/09
#18Replacements for David Hyde Pierce in Hello, Dolly!
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.
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JustAnotherNewYorker
Broadway Star Joined: 12/20/16
#19Replacements for David Hyde Pierce in Hello, Dolly!
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
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/13/16
#20Replacements for David Hyde Pierce in Hello, Dolly!
Posted: 6/15/17 at 8:04pm
I just want Harvey Fierstein to play Dolly.
#21Replacements for David Hyde Pierce in Hello, Dolly!
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.
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Dollypop
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#22Replacements for David Hyde Pierce in Hello, Dolly!
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.
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VintageSnarker
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/30/15
#23Replacements for David Hyde Pierce in Hello, Dolly!
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.
#24Replacements for David Hyde Pierce in Hello, Dolly!
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
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/1/08
#25Replacements for David Hyde Pierce in Hello, Dolly!
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.
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