Well, hello, Patti (LaBelle)!

Quoting from an interview promoting her newest album:

"Four years ago, producers of Hello, Dolly! approached LaBelle for the recent revival's lead role. 'That was something else I said no to. Now [Bette Midler] is doing it. I'm going to check it out and I think I might do it when she leaves -- I mean, I would like to.'"

Thoughts?

How were her numbers when she went into AFTER MIDNIGHT?

Ms LaBelle is confused. There had been at least 2 different Broadway producers attached to the rights for a revival of HELLO DOLLY over the past 5 years--- but neither one came through (obviously). One of them may have approached her about it at some point ---but I can assure you that Scott Rudin has no interest in her as a replacement Dolly. He's thinking a lot bigger.

Not that I would accuse any random person on an Internet forum of being at all disingenuous, but how much bigger can Mr. Rudin be aiming? It's not everybody who will come in to replace Bette Midler in a record-breaking Broadway run, even if they get the same deal she did. Hell, those are very hard shoes for Donna Murphy to fill, and she's just doing it once a week. Unless his idea is earth-shattering or miraculous (nothing short of Barbra fits that category, and unless she gets at least a comparable deal to Bette, no way she's coming), I'd think he'd be happy someone -- anyone -- of Ms. LaBelle's stature wants in.

Updated On: 5/25/17 at 10:39 PM

Queen Latifah was approached for it and is still being asked.

I'm certain if she did Dolly, Parton would perform differently then that video- which has a less Broadway sound to it and more country pop. It's hard to judge from that video when it isn't in character

Dolly Parton has a special relationship to the show. Her first ever trip outside of Tennessee was a class trip in high school to NYC. When the bus pulled into Manhattan and they saw billboards saying "Hello, Dolly!" she made jokes like "How'd they know I was comin?" I'd kill to see her play the role.

However, the name I heard attached to replace Bette was Reba.

I've seen people on here claim to it to Dolly Parton, Queen Latifah, Reba, and someone posted Bernadette was asked. Either they are lining up replacements or they have a lot of offers out. LOL

Personally I'd rather see Latifiah or Bernadette. I'm mainly hoping this could be Bernadette's big return to Broadway.

g.d.e.l.g.i. said: "Reba's been filming that pilot with Marc "Desperate Housewives" Cherry this spring. I think she'd want to wait and see if the series got picked up first."

It was already announced that Reba's pilot is definitely not moving forward at ABC. So unless CMT or Lifetime pick it up, Reba will be free to play Dolly Levi. And what a great choice she would be.

There's no way Reba is a bigger box-office pull than Patti LaBelle, is there? Am I living in a bubble? And maybe Patti and Latifa can have a Donna - Bette kind of arrangement?

Reba is a much bigger draw - there's really no comparison. Sorry.

Valentina3 said: "There's no way Reba is a bigger box-office pull than Patti LaBelle, is there? Am I living in a bubble? And maybe Patti and Latifa can have a Donna - Bette kind of arrangement?"

I'm afraid you are. No one under 60 (70?) knows who Patti LaBelle is. Reba starred in a self-named network sitcom for years that is now syndicated in heavy rotation on TV Land/Nick at Night. There's no comparison between the two (IMO).

Patti is definitely confused as this particular production came about because of Bette. I hope what will happen is this... Bette will continue to have a great time doing it and will extend. but with a possible break during the winter months . Then the show will close when she does leave and a tour will be mounted with someone else. Even though I wish she would tour with it and take her Dolly to the world.

Updated On: 5/26/17 at 01:06 PM