Time for a revival of HELLO, DOLLY?

[zamedy]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 6:50pm

Okay okay.. this may have been brought up in past posts on this board but don't beat me up for it. I was listening to the OBC recording of HELLO, DOLLY! today and got chills during the final chorus of the title song... with the instrumental build-up, the strong chorus of men and, of course, Ms. Channing.

When was the last time it was revived on Broadway? I know it's been a while. Has there recently been any talk of a new revival? I think for any revival of a show like this to work, you would have to have a true star in the role that is known to people OUTSIDE the theatre world (even though I think someone like Mary Testa would be great).

If you were to revive this classic, who would be your ideal Dolly Levi?

Bernadette? Megan Mullally? I think Megan would be great for the role.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 6:53pm

In answer to the question posed, NO

[fgreene1938]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 6:58pm

The last Dolly revival on BW was in the mid-90s with Carol Channing. Her frequent touring and revivals in the show effectively made it impossible for anyone else to step into the role, but she is basically retired now. An oversized star might be needed for a revival but NOT Mary Testa. She's not oversized, she's overkill....always and destructively. A star with charm and grace would be needed. A young Angela Lansbury would have been great. Bernadette Peters would be wonderful, as would Donna Murphy in the right presentation. Both have warmth and charm. I'd even say Victoria Clark as an unusual choice because she's actress enough to pull it off.

[iamchanging9]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 7:01pm

this topic is brought up far too much.


it's not happening.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 7:08pm

Yes!
It was last revived when the tour stopped on Broadway in 1995. Channing reprised her role of Dolly.
Yes, someone like Bernadette or Mullaly would be excellent, as would a bigger star like Queen Latifah, Bette Midler, Catherine Zeta-Jones, or Meryl Streep.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 8:00pm

Actually, Jerry Herman would very much like the show to be revived once more in his lifetime. His choices for Dolly are Mitzi Gaynor or Bette Midler.

[zamedy]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 8:15pm

I think Bette would be PERFECT. However, she's booked in Vegas thru next year, I believe.. and I don't know if Broadway could really afford her. It would be great to see her back on Broadway though... and in a role like this. She would definitely bring in the numbers.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 8:30pm

HELLO, DOLLY! is a perfect vehicle piece for big Hollywood names to come out and play on a Broadway stage. Especially in regards to Dolly Levi and Horace Vandergelder (sp?).

I would say, assuming they would go for Hwood, that some good choices for Dolly are Queen Latifah, Meryl Streep (I would LOVE to hear her "Goodbye"!!!), or (call me crazy) Madonna.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 8:37pm

Hello Dolly needs a comedienne. So that lets out Donna Murphy who is about as funny as an emergency room.

I would like to see Bette Midler, but I think she'd be better doing it as a tv special and not a Broadway run.

I'd love to see Zeta-Jones on Broadway, but in something more keyed to her. Dolly doesn't sizzle enough for Z-Jo, she should do Mame, Victor/Victoria or Gypsy.

If Dolly is to be played older, I'd like to see Ellen Greene. If Dolly is younger, Megan Mullally or Rachel York.

[TheatreDork2]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 8:37pm

I would love to see Queen Latifah.

[lovesclassics]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 9:09pm

Rachel York was an ah-mah-zing Dolly last month in Boston! I saw the production and was blown away. I agree with everything in this review from Talkin' Broadway:

http://www.talkinbroadway.com/regional/boston/boston139.html

And photos from BWW:
Rachel York as Dolly

[Dollypop]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 9:24pm

Dolly has to be old enough to worry about the parade passing her by.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 9:26pm

I would to have liked to see Rachel York as Dolly.

[lovesclassics]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 9:41pm

In the late 1890s, 40ish would have been old enough to worry about the parade passing by. Remember, Carol Channing was only 43 when she first played Dolly on Broadway.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 10:15pm

Isn't Rachel turning 38 in August? She's almost there. But, I have a feeling producers would want a bigger box office name for the non-theatre people.

[BroadwayBound115]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 10:23pm

Okay, I know I will be ripped apart, but what about Dolly Parton?

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 10:30pm

Okay, I know I will be ripped apart, but what about Dolly Parton?

Do you think women in 1890 Yonkers had boulder boobs and hillbilly twangs?

Updated On: 7/29/09 at 10:30 PM

[BroadwayBound115]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 10:31pm

Well, it certainly would be a fresh new take on the role.

[BroadwayBound062]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 10:35pm

I wouldn't mind Dolly but Megan should do this revival imo

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/29/09 at 10:37pm

If Broadway wants to make use of Dolly Parton, they should do another revival of Grease and have her play Teen Angel. The inside jokes of Parton having had plastic surgery and having played hairdresser would be a hoot.

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 7/30/09 at 12:58am

Megan Mullaly as Dolly is a HORRIBLE idea.

The best suggestion on the thread so far is (according to Dollypop) Mr. Herman's, of Bette Midler. She has the warmth, the voice, the star presence, and the old-time showbiz chops.

I'd see Queen Latifah do it, I guess. Bernadette Peters has always been my #1 choice but I can see why she woulnd't do it full-out justice.

and to make this thread more fun, here's a clip of the unbelieveable Pearl Bailey singing "So Long, Dearie" on the Tube. MANDATORY viewing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0moW7BlI3s

for the full clip of that tonys performance (lower quality, but includes "Put on Your Sunday Clothes" - both clips have all of Pearl's "So Long Dearie") http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84cXRKxaCpg&feature=related

Also see here for her rendition of the "Let me go..." monologue and "Before the Parade Passes By" (not my favorite, but worth the watch): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ba5IE3d8_4E&feature=related

and finally, the master: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5GkoqiVnPY&feature=related

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/30/09 at 1:00am

Herman has already publicly stated he's not interested in seeing Bernadette as Dolly. He showed interest in Patti though.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 7/30/09 at 1:15am

Peters and Herman are no longer speaking, so we can stop with suggesting her for Dolly. She also has no interest in a revival.

[binau]

Posted: 7/30/09 at 1:17am

Why aren't they 'speaking'?

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 7/30/09 at 1:21am

No idea. Bitter Herman bitterly mentioned it in a bitter interview.