Time for a revival of HELLO, DOLLY?- Page 3

[BroadwayBound062]

Posted: 7/30/09 at 11:03pm

Bette would be the PERFECT Dolly. Though some of the other suggestions might be great too!

[RagtimeRay]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 6:43am

Hello, Dolly! requires a "star." What kept the original production going for seven years (I know it is hard to realize now with long-running shows at 15 to 20 years, but Dolly once had the record as the longest running Broadway show.) was the creative casting of name talents - Carol Channing, Ginger Rogers, Martha Raye, Betty Grable, Pearl Bailey, Phyllis Diller, and Ethel Merman.

The 1995 Channing revival of the show had the exact same look as the 1964 original. Same sets, costumes, even the same leading lady. It would be great to experience a revival with a fresh perspective on the material.

[alterego]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 8:42am

I love the idea of Bette Midler, but isn't she too Jewish for Dolly?

Look at those names above you could never get a starry line up like that now. Why could you not have 2 Dolly Levi's? Big names doing 4 shows each a week.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 10:12am

Countdown until somebody says Harvey Fierstein...
5...4...3..2..1...

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 11:35am

"I love the idea of Bette Midler, but isn't she too Jewish for Dolly?"

Because Barbra Streisand and Pearl Bailey were the epitome of Dolly's Irish background?

I don't think there's anything in the show that ties Dolly to a certain ethnic background.

And once again, Bette Midler would not be able to handle eight shows a week for a year. The producers wouldn't be able to make back their investment unless the star can do the eight show schedule.

[Soliantu]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 11:37am

Maybe Carol Channing will return again? haha.
In all seriousness though I'd love to see Megan in the role.

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 11:56am

Megan Mullally is too young to play Dolly.

Marin Mazzie is a thought.
Faith Prince is inspired, but i think she lacks the sex appeal.

[madbrian]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 12:20pm

Mullally is 50, certainly old enough for Dolly.

[Soliantu]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 12:38pm

Megan is a great age to play Dolly. The character is supposed to be an older woman, 50s and above isnt she? She's certainly closer than when Barbara Streisand did the movie when she was 27 or younger.. And did I seriously see someone suggest Queen Latifah? haha.. Love her... but for Dolly.. thats just funny to me Updated On: 7/31/09 at 12:38 PM

[americanboy99]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 12:39pm

Marin is lovely, but in no way has the star power needed to helm a Broadway revival of DOLLY.

BERNADETTE. PETERS. END. OF. STORY.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 12:44pm

Sorry but you would need a star for this show to make any money, and a truly bankable one at that. I love the idea of Mazzie (I love the idea of Mazzie in absolutely anything) but it wouldn't succeed with her in the lead.

And to answer the question below about Queen Latifah - Yes. She has been wanting to come to Broadway for some time now and has interest in this role. I don't know why you find it funny because not only would she be very good in it, it would SELL. That magic word that producers wet themselves over. A genuine mega star who can sing, act AND sell out a house.

[madbrian]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 12:49pm

At 38, Latifah is kind of young for Dolly. Plus, I don't know if she can knock Before The Parade Passes By out of the park eight times a week. Her star power and box office appeal are undeniable.

[Jon]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 12:55pm

I'd love to see a revival with sets that actually looked authentic for the period, rather than an early 1960's Disneyland version of the period.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 12:56pm

I don't think Queen Latifah has the star wattage to sell to theater parties. She's not had a lead role in an A level movie.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 12:57pm

madbrian, I think she could pull it off. She's got a powerful voice and if she's determined I think she could make it great.

Plus, I think if someone of her caliber wanted to do this show, age wouldn't be too much of an issue. Hell, Channing was 350 years old the last time she did it.

[Soliantu]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 1:01pm

I just think she does seem too young, and personally I don't think she has the right voice for it.

[madbrian]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 1:04pm

"I don't think Queen Latifah has the star wattage to sell to theater parties."

Wow, I completely (and respectfully) disagree. I think Latifah appeals to a wide demographic, and would sell buckets of tickets.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 1:14pm

How would white women between the age of 40 and 75 know Queen Latifah? These women are a large percentage of bus tours. They're afraid to come alone so they jump on a Globus tour bus and come see shows in the safety of a group.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 1:15pm

I think tickets would fly just as fast for a show with Latifah as they do for Hugh Jackman.

[Soliantu]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 1:19pm

"I think tickets would fly just as fast for a show with Latifah as they do for Hugh Jackman."

Really?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 1:21pm

Don't underestimate her star power.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 1:25pm

She's actually not a very successful recording artist. But of course she's a well known personality and actress (nowadays). I assume she would bring in audiences like Fantasia did in TCP.

[madbrian]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 1:32pm

"How would white women between the age of 40 and 75 know Queen Latifah? These women are a large percentage of bus tours. They're afraid to come alone so they jump on a Globus tour bus and come see shows in the safety of a group."

Let's see, I'm 48, so most of my female friends and family fall into that age group, and they ALL know Latifah. My wife and her two sisters know her. My 75 year-old mother-in-law knows her. Though I give no credibility to Peoples' Choice Awards, Latifah has been nominated each of the last four years, which speaks to her recognition and likeability. Much of the theater crowd would also be fans of the Chicago and Hairspray movies.

[Soliantu]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 1:37pm

I'm not underestimating her starpower, I know she's a star, and has a lot of fans. But to me, Hugh Jackman would draw in more, just because he has fanbases from different crowds, he's been known for his Action movies, romantic leads, Broadway, hosting the oscars and tonys, and was People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive.. I know it's not exactly what we were discussing, but I have to disagree with the comparison.
Updated On: 7/31/09 at 01:37 PM

[madbrian]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 1:41pm

While I think she'd do well at the box office, I think the comparison to Jackman is a bit much. His star turn was truly exceptional, and I don't think she could possibly generate that much buzz.