Will the Hello, Dolly revival tour?

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 10/15/17 at 9:41pm

I was wondering what the odds are of this current revival touring? I was looking through Jerry Zaks previous works and noticed Rachel York worked with him on a show and I would just love to see her take this production out on the road as Dolly. Thoughts? 

Updated On: 10/15/17 at 09:41 PM

[SomethingPeculiar]

Posted: 10/15/17 at 10:35pm

Probably depends on how it does with replacements after Bette, but it would seem very likely, maybe with a "semi-star" or someone on the level of Donna Murphy. (Though if the Tonys drama was any indication, will each touring theatre have to have a passarelle around the orchestra pit?)

[Jarethan]

Posted: 10/15/17 at 11:46pm

100% probability IMO.  All that publicity down the drain?  Never!!

The passarelle has toured with the show since the beginning of time.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 10/15/17 at 11:56pm

Does the show even NEED a passerelle? I mean, sure it’s a cool effect when they walk across it or jump  over the pit, but it’s not like it’s important to the story telling of the show.

[Valentina3]

Posted: 10/16/17 at 12:18am

^ It's the brand of the show. The choreography is an integral part of show's identity and legacy. I still remember how excited the entire audience got in the theater, and a lot of these people were in 20-40 age group who couldn't have seen the OBC but they *know* what to expect.

I think it will almost definitely tour, with a major star starring in it - at least in the beginning.

[DAME]

Posted: 10/16/17 at 1:46am

Joy Behar was asked to do the tour.  I am not kidding.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0wcLxe3HfI

[Valentina3]

Posted: 10/16/17 at 2:18am

^ that's a funny video, thanks for posting, DAME.

I'd like to see Debra Messing take it on the road.

[NOWaWarning]

Posted: 10/16/17 at 2:49am

As far as the passerelle goes, they can just do what every other touring production of Hello Dolly has done, no?

[bear88]

Posted: 10/16/17 at 3:30am

I could easily be wrong about this, because what do I know? But I don't understand the logic of Hello, Dolly "needing" a star to tour. 

Tour audiences just don't usually think in terms of stars. They think in terms of shows. They've heard of the show, or the Broadway production, and they want to see something close to that on tour. But they're not expecting to see Bette Midler. I mean, they'd be happy to see Bette Midler, but they don't expect her. 

The King and I toured very well, packed the house on its San Francisco tour stop that I saw. Was anyone coming to see Laura Michelle Kelly or Jose Llana? No. They did a good job, but people were coming to see The King and I.

Same thing with Fun Home. I liked that touring cast very much, but that wasn't what was drawing the crowds in San Francisco.

The same logic applies to Hello, Dolly. On Broadway, fine, you need a star - especially for that role. Bernadette Peters and Donna Murphy, with all their Tonys, elicit yawns. But on tour, you just need a good production of Hello, Dolly. 

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 10/16/17 at 3:52am

Valentina3 said: "I'd like to see Debra Messing take it on the road."

Oh! Oh my. Yes yes yes yes. I would adore that.

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 10/16/17 at 5:59am

I’m sure it will tour and I think they will be able to find some personality with some name recognition to take on the role. It’s a dazzling revival and I’m sure there are plenty of women who would like to have the opportunity. I can see someone like Sandy Duncan, or MarI Lou Henner doing it (and being terrific).

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 10/16/17 at 7:23am

Scott Rudin can’t afford Marl Lou Henner nor her dressing room demands.  

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 10/16/17 at 7:30am

Michele Lee wouldn’t be a bad choice. Or what about Ana Gasteyer?

[The8re phan]

Posted: 10/16/17 at 9:08am

I want Christine Ebersole as my Dolly

[Will3700]

Posted: 10/16/17 at 10:18am

I saw Michelle Lee in the role of Dolly Levi in 2005 at the Bass Hall in Ft Worth. She only did a three city tour but she was great.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 10/16/17 at 11:56am

Joyce DeWitt IS "Dolly Levi"!

(Makes as much sense as most of the other "suggestions" in this thread!)

 

[DAME]

Posted: 10/16/17 at 12:29pm

FAITH PRINCE

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 10/16/17 at 12:42pm

I feel like it has to be someone big to do this tour of Dolly. I say (in the nicest way possible) it has to be someone who isn't likely to do it regionally. 

I love Michelle Lee, et.la. but I feel like I might see her do this regianlly somewhere. Bette, Bernadette, Donna Murphy are not people you are going to see at the Oreo Cookie Playhouse in Pinetree, Vermont!

[markypoo]

Posted: 10/16/17 at 12:43pm

Marie Osmond

[BuddyStarr]

Posted: 10/16/17 at 1:01pm

If it does tour they will need a star for Dolly. Probably someone for the masses a la "Dancing with the Stars" but in the earlier years.  I would suspect they would find some comic actress who was big in the 90's but isn't on TV anymore (more likely a TV star than a movie star).  Some who the buying public (or subscription public) would have know well from TV).  Marie Osmond would seem to be a good choice as Markypoo suggested or even the actress who played Peg Bundy (she even sang backup as a Harlet for Bette)  Maybe Susan Dey? Why not Glenn Close?  Maybe THIS show would be in her range?

[DAME]

Posted: 10/16/17 at 1:10pm

Marie Osmond is signed for the next couple of years with the Flamingo in Vegas. Susan Dey is retired and the Glenn Close suggestion is absurd.  They could get by with a theater name.  It all depends on how they market it.  

[Littleshopofcarrie]

Posted: 10/16/17 at 1:10pm

It was apparently offered to Joy Behar...

I'd love to see Faith Prince or Ellen Greene.

[LMcC95]

Posted: 10/16/17 at 1:45pm

Would Bette do it?  I know the show is a lot on her but she does love to tour. 

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 10/16/17 at 1:57pm

I think its already been announced that she is planning to embark on a concert tour next year.

[markypoo]

Posted: 10/16/17 at 4:48pm

Betty Buckley

Joanna Gleason

Debbie Boone