Posted: 2/9/18 at 2:15pm
I'd see it. Whoopi has never had a "nice" voice, but neither did Carol Channing. Also, maybe she's gotten out of shape, but there was a time when she was an immensely respected actor. Her penchant for daytime talk shows has softened her image since then, but it's not as if she pulled a "Majin Buu," vomited up Uzo Aduba, and continued on as a shell of her old self.
Posted: 2/9/18 at 2:16pm
Well so much for seeing each Dolly. Saw Bette and Donna and have tickets for Bernadette..... but no thanks if Woopie takes over.
Posted: 2/9/18 at 2:43pm
I honestly don't think Whoopi has the stamina to do this show. I think she'd have trouble getting through it even once, let alone 8 times a week, even for a very limited run.
Posted: 2/9/18 at 2:46pm
Yes she can barely make it to the table on The View, let alone around a passerelle.
Posted: 2/9/18 at 2:52pm
KJisgroovy said: "It always surprises me when some folks on this board, who know a lot about theater, seem to have little handle on the culture barometer.
Jenifer Lewis is on a major hit television show and has recently become a cultural icon, reaching an entirely new generation of fans."
She's a supporting player on Blackish, which although critically lauded is ABC's 6th most watch sitcom out of the 8 it broadcasts. Add to that as someone who watches Blackish, it is not an ensemble show its Anthony Anderson and Tracy Ellis Ross's show. She is not Titus Burgess, Jane Krakowski, Allison Janney, Jim Parsons, or Uzo Aduba all of whom have turned what were originally supporting characters on TV shows into fan favorites, and/or co-leads.
Jenifer Lewis is on the same legend status as Jennifer Holiday and if Jenifer Holiday couldn't keep a minimalist production of The Color Purple running, how would you expect Jenifer Lewis to bring in at least triple the crowds for this lavish production of Hello Dolly?
Posted: 2/9/18 at 2:57pm
Sure. That's not what you said though. You said her star hasn't risen and it has, significantly.
Posted: 2/9/18 at 3:01pm
Maybe Whoop can cameo as Mrs. Rose for a week or two. That's about what I see her having the energy for.
Posted: 2/9/18 at 3:04pm
She could play Ernestina Money and kill all the laughs.
Posted: 2/9/18 at 3:04pm
I woudn't want to see Whoopi as Dolly. I think Jennifer Lewis would be fantastic in the role, and that she's certainly recognizable.
I'd prefer to see Sara Ramirez return to Broadway, though.
Updated On: 2/9/18 at 03:04 PM
Posted: 2/9/18 at 3:05pm
KJisgroovy said: "Sure. That's not what you said though. You said her star hasn't risen and it has, significantly."
Ok she went from D list to B- List.....its still not the same caliber as EGOT winner Whoppi Goldberg, and current governor of the Acting Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, who is still given Marquee billing if she is ever involved in a project.
Posted: 2/9/18 at 3:21pm
Posted: 2/9/18 at 3:22pm
Posted: 2/9/18 at 3:53pm
The first Broadway show I ever saw in March 2003 was Ma Rainey's Black Bottom not even knowing Whoopi was in it. We had 5 shows scheduled including Les Miserables since it was closing soon,but the musicians went out on strike so all of our shows were cancelled. we found two to see as the actors played their own instruments in Ma Rainey's and Cabaret, .needless to say they were both excellent Loved Whoopi and NPH so our trip was still successful and we came back that May and saw Les Miz right before it closed. I would definitely see Whoopi in Dolly.
Posted: 2/9/18 at 3:54pm
Posted: 2/9/18 at 3:56pm
After this production works its way through every possible aged tired diva around, they should just turn to casting dead people.
Posted: 2/9/18 at 4:00pm
blaxx said: "If you saw her in Xanadu, you'd wish to never seen her on stage again.
If she couldn't learn more than one song and a page of lines, how could she do Dolly? Only with a person running behind her to read the lines for her."
I worked at the Hayes at the time and even after weeks she was carrying cards, being led around by cast members, going up on lines, etc. It was so sad because she was so wonderful to every single person in that theater.
Posted: 2/9/18 at 4:05pm
newintown said: "After this production works its way through every possible agedtired diva around, they should just turn to casting dead people."
Don’t be a bitter Betty. They are only on their second Dolly and I’m hoping they can keep recasting it for a while .
Posted: 2/9/18 at 4:29pm
I'm all for them re-casting for a while, but the role is incredibly physically taxing. It's not enough to just be a charming woman of a certain age to pull it off. It requires someone who is strong and fit and able to realistically sustain a performance schedule. I just don't think that's Whoopi at this point in her career. She would have been terrific in the mid-90s.
Posted: 2/9/18 at 4:38pm
QueenAlice said: "I'm all for them re-casting for a while, but the role is incredibly physically taxing. It's not enough to just be a charming woman of a certain age to pull it off. It requires someone who is strong and fit and able to realistically sustain a performance schedule. I just don't think that's Whoopi at this point in her career. She would have been terrific in the mid-90s."
She would have to give the weed a rest. I wouldn’t care to see a stoned Dolly.
Posted: 2/9/18 at 4:41pm
Would love to see Whoopi's "Dolly". No reservations at all.
Posted: 2/9/18 at 4:41pm
Posted: 2/9/18 at 4:56pm
Posted: 2/9/18 at 5:01pm
GeorgeandDot said: "I can't help, but feel that the negative comments on here are due to her political beliefs. Whoopi is amazing when she's on her A game. I could see her being an incredible Dolly Levi."
Really? I thought that almost everyone here would align with her political opinions. I assume some do have genuine concerns with her ability to pull off the role - but given the 'gold standard' for this role is absolutely terribly sung (i.e., Carol Channing) is there anyone that couldn't sing Dolly? All you have to do is vaguely hold the pitch to meet that standard.
Posted: 2/9/18 at 5:03pm
My reservations have zero to do with her political beliefs. I think as a personality she'd be terrific. However I also believe she is completely out of shape, and its unrealistic to imagine her taking on this challenging stage role, particularly with all the reports of how much difficulty she had years ago learning and performing Xanadu. I think some of you reading this board get caught up in a fantasy without taking into consideration how taxing it is to actually perform a Broadway schedule.
Posted: 2/9/18 at 5:18pm
I think we keep forgetting that she wasn’t clamoring to do Xanadu. She stepped in to help a failing show stay afloat 2 weeks before her first performance.
If she were to take on Dolly she’d have at least 1-2months of solid prep time. Its not like was Oak and given over 6 months to learn a role and then didn’t even learn his lines on his first day of rehersal. She was given 2 weeks to learn a role, while also juggling a daytime talkshow and other commitments.
Its not like Xanadu’s producers were upset with her. She did exactly what they wanted...sell tickets!!!
Add to that Bette didn't even have all of her lines memorized by the time they started previews....I know I was there....so....
Updated On: 2/9/18 at 05:18 PM
