Time for a revival of HELLO, DOLLY?- Page 4

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 1:46pm

I was simply talking box office revenue when I made that comparison.

[HBP]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 1:52pm

Queen Latifah would be wonderful. If Bette's voice isn't shot after Vegas, she might work.

[noradesmond]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 2:03pm

I think Bette would be good and Mitzi Gaynor would be (would have been) sensational but why is the trend to think so old? Dolly should me middle aged not retirement age. (I'm old myself so don't even start on me.) And the part is wide open for interpretation. Look at the list of stars who played her over the years.

And as I said on a previous similar thread, one of the most fabulous Dollys I ever saw was a post-FOLLIES Yvonne DeCarlo who played her with a lilting Irish brogue. She was a delight.

[madbrian]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 2:13pm

"I'm old myself so don't even start on me."

Well then, I give you credit for using a photo of yourself in your av.

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 2:25pm

I'd love to see Queen Latifah, no doubts.

Just imagine if this became a long-runner and a new diva came into the show every year - just like in the good old days. Lordie. Maybe we'd see all these women.

I didn't realize Mullally was that age. She looks damn good. i still don't think she's the right type, though. I can't hear a Dolly with that high-pitched kind of singing voice - she needs to be earthy.

How about Reba McEntire? Her voice may not be ideal, but I think she could knock it out of the park.

[madbrian]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 2:34pm

I suggested Reba earlier in the thread (or in some other Dolly-related thread). I think she'd be terrific, and folks have said she's looking to play against type.

As for Mullally, I don't think her singing voice is too high at all. I'm just not certain that she's the right actress. I could see her in Mame (as Mame or Vera) before Dolly.

[AngusN]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 2:53pm

There is no way on this earth Bette Midler could play Dolly, her voice is completely shot. 15-20 years ago, yes. But definitely not now. Check out this live performance from last year:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-T1h7J0R-Q
AWFUL!
I would love to see Rachel York, Megan or Bernadette play it.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 3:12pm

I'd love to see Bernadette, as I've said multiple times. But apparently that won't happen any time soon because Herman doesn't want it to. But then again Patti was banned from playing Mama Rose and now she has a Tony Award for it. So I guess you never know.

I love the idea of Queen Latifah and I think her star power is being underestimated. I also love the idea of people like Mazzie and York but they just won't bring in the crowds that producers are looking for with a show like "Dolly." And I don't mind the idea of Megan Mullally, actually. Patti would be a generic choice, in my opinion. Seeing her in the role doesn't interest me or excite me as much as Peters would.

[madbrian]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 3:32pm

I think Peters should avoid Dolly or any other revival. Her last two Broadway credits are Gypsy and Annie Get Your Gun. Her Gypsy was love-it-or-hate-it, with the majority not loving it. While she won the Tony for AGYG, many people think her performance was surpassed by Reba. In the last 20 years, her only original role on Broadway has been the ill-fated Goodbye Girl. I think she needs to avoid the stock diva roles and find something original.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 4:49pm

The same could be said about Patti.

[zamedy]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 4:49pm

I think a lot of people are underestimating the stamina of the Divine Miss M. She may be in her early 60's.. but I still think she could do 8 shows a week. I do, however, agree that her voice isn't as strong as it once was, which is unfortunate.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 4:51pm

Am I mistaken or didn't Bette actually say not too long ago that she doesn't want to do an actual Broadway show and the only way she might consider coming back was to take her own show here?

[Soliantu]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 5:53pm

I believe you're right in that.. She's never shown much interest in doing a full Broadway production during her fame. I doubt she'd start now.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/31/09 at 6:46pm

Makes you wonder what "Fiddler on the Roof" did to Bette Midler that she never wanted to return in a book musical.