The Devine Miss M, stage and screen star Bette Midler has announced that she will star in a Broadway revival of the blockbuster 1964 musical, Hello, Dolly!
Bette Midler returns to Broadway, following the wildly successful 2013 production I’ll Eat You Last at the Booth Theatre about Hollywood super-agent Sue Mengers, to star in Hello, Dolly!
Midler confirmed via twitter that she will play Dolly Gallagher Levi in Hello, Dolly!
Yes, I am taking on the role of the beloved Dolly Levi in “Hello, Dolly!”. We open next year on Broadway! So excited!
— Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) January 19, 2016
Four-time Tony Award winner Jerry Zaks will direct, and Tony winner Warren Carlyle will choreograph the production, which will open in April 2017 at a yet to be announced Broadway theatre.
Midler issued a statement saying, “I am looking forward to portraying one of the most beloved characters in all of American Musical Comedy, Dolly Levi, born Gallagher, in Hello, Dolly! I know I’m going to have the time of my life, and I am so glad to be under the wings of Scott Rudin as Producer and Jerry Zaks as Director. See you next year!”
Jerry Herman said, “Many times through the years I’ve been asked about bringing back Hello, Dolly! – and it has always been, ‘Who would be my dream Dolly?’ – and though I’ve had literally dozens of names tossed at me, I knew that we needed more than just a wonderful singer or a wonderful actor, so I held on to the hope that she would also be a distinctly original persona. Who is out there that has the necessary stature, warmth, the incredible talent and ability, and especially the singular, outsized personality that I was looking for in a 21st century Dolly? Only one person: Bette Midler. Only Bette could bring Dolly brilliantly back to ‘the lights of 14th Street!'”
No other casting was announced.
ksdeeter@comcast.net
When are tickets available for Bette Midler in Hello Dolly?
Hello I would like the know how much it would be for 2 tickets for hello dolly
Wow! When can I book !! My partner was in hollo dolly with Carole channing in the west end years ago ! And to see Bet midler in the show would be just Amazing!