Here’s one for ya, mate. I played Barnaby when I was 17 in the world tour with several Dollies, including American icons Mary Martin, Betty Grable, Eve Arden, and Phyllis Diller. I’m a big fan of your show.
My first Dolly was Pearl Bailey in 1968...school field trip and my first Broadway show. I sw Bette and Bernadtte Peters in the most recent Broadway revival. Bernadette was fantastic. I remember reading that Phyllis played the role "straight" without any personality. I have a feeling she may have been quite good.
I was like you-my knowledge was limited to the film. Spent the summer in NY in 2018, and got to see the revival twice, once with Bernadette Peters and the second with Bette Middler. I sobbed both times during the final chorus of "Put On Your Sunday Clothes," purely because of the magic of theatre. I'd really love to come over to the UK to see this new production ETA: that Sweeney Todd revival was what got me into Sweeney
When I saw Donna (who was a DREAM) the tears fell like a waterfall when the chorus came out in Sunday clothes. I was surprised when I read that they will use projections in London .
There was a complete (bootleg) video of Donna Murphy as Dolly -- very briefly! -- and she was absolutely brilliant. The show works either with a beloved star connecting with her audience (Midler) or with a singer-actor who really puts in the detailed character work (Murphy). All of this we owe to Ruth Gordon, for whom playwright Thornton Wilder created Mrs. Dolly Gallagher Levi while doing an English-language adaptation of an old German comedy. When the play, titled The Merchant of Yonkers, flopped initially (without Gordon, and with a great but unsuited director, Max Reinhardt), it was Gordon and husband Garson Kanin who urged Wilder to revise it and try again, with Gordon now on board (and Tyrone Guthrie directing at farce-speed). In gratitude, he renamed the play The Matchmaker, and it was a hit... and has belonged to Dolly ever since.
Another great video & I'm excited as you (we also bought tickets for the production rudely disrupted by Covid!). It is a "classic show" which I performed in as a teenager in an 'amateur' production before going to drama school. Shout out to your fab outfit as I was in 'The Waiter's Gallop' (I couldn't do that routine now aged 56 😂 Having seen Imelda in Sweeney Todd & Gypsy, I'm sure she'll bring her unique take to this. (Her Mamma Rose in Gypsy was the best I've seen, out of many great performances) And a stellar supporting cast, including the fab Jenna Russel and other names you mention. So, if anyone's questioning a "classic musical revival" I'd say try it. (Mickey is right that there hasn't been one in decades, so don't miss your chance.) As an aside, the Palladium is an exciting venue choice. My husband and I had our Civil Partnership there in 2006. Coincidentally, we will spend our 33rd Anniversary at Mickey Joe Live as we got 2 of the last remaining tickets. Another thing to be excited about & hope to meet you and Aaron in person finally.
As I had bought a ticket for the production in 2020, I was excited to see it finally returning. I saw Imelda Staunton and told her that I had originally bought as ticket in 2020 and I had re-booked. She gave me a big grin and a thumbs up.
Thrilled to see Jodie cast in this and it would be so exciting to see her as the alternate!! But as a HUGE kathy and stella fan I have to say I’m more than a teeny bit sad not to be seeing her again as Felicia, she was so iconic in that role, it was like it was made for her!!
I saw Betty Buckley on the North America Tour of "Hello, Dolly!" in Boston. Honestly, it was one of my favourite pieces of theatre I've ever seen. The train appearing on stage during "Sunday clothes" was breathtaking and a lot of tears were shed!!
My favorite of the "old timey" musicals. I've seen it multiple times and it never gets old (even when performed my hopelessly young high schoolers). I saw Channing on her last revival in the 90s, but my favorite Dolly was, hands down, Betty Buckley in the recent national tour. It is a show that works better the older Dolly and Vandergelder are. A widow and a widower pushing their way back into life before the . . . . well, you know the song.
Ive seen Hello Dolly with Carol Channing and Bette Midler, as well as Streisand on film ( believe it or not, she's third place in comparison), so i personally have a quite high standard for that musical. It requires a mego talented actress/diva to elevate the production and, honestly couldnt imagine most younger stars/divas rising to the occasion...then you said Imelda Staunton....and OMG, I immediately wanted to see this production myself!!! She is so brilliant and has a presence that this production demands! This is not just a musical, but a full star/diva vehicle that falls apart without a Dolly worthy of this grandiose diva role that also has such emotional notes. I wish i could see her in the west end!
@@Ayanamy-vl2plAn icon I'd love to have seen, alongside the Divine Miss M and others in the roll-call. The role requires a star performer and I think we'll have one in Imelda. Can't wait to see it.
Streisand was too young for the role. And of course they had to drop the character's middle name, "Gallagher." It was a typical quietly subversive Thornton Wilder touch (in the original play) that she should be an Irish woman who married a Jewish man, something that would probably have been a bit eyebrow-raising in the late 19th-century setting of both the play (The Matchmaker) and musical, and which shows Dolly's independent spirit in marrying Ephraim Levi for love.
I saw Carol Channing play Dolly on one of her last national tours.... amazing! And recently I saw Bette Midler play Dolly on Broadway.... Bette brought down the house even before she opened her mouth... also amazing!
Actually Pearl Bailey and Cab Calloway appeared in Hello, Dolly! at the St. James in 1968. The company went on tour in 1969. For some strange reason this run is not included in Wikipedia. It was quite successful. The stage show wasn't a big hit until Louis Armstrong recorded the title song. That's why he makes a cameo appearance in the film.
Caroline Schermerhorn Astor (Sonna) as Dolly Levy would be something to see. I first saw Imelda Staunton in Vera Drake which was a tour de force. I would love to see Dolly bc I have only see Barbra Streisand inI the film which I loved loved loved. Huge Streisand fan here.
I got to see Carol Channing on her final US tour. It was directed & costarred Leroy Reams to replicate the original staging & designs. I adored her charming performance but because of her age, they found creative ways to have her sitting down through most of the show, yet she was more energized than some younger performers on their feet.
I saw that same production, in 1995. Although Channing was indeed pretty old at the time, she still gave one of the most amazing performances I've ever seen on stage, to this day. She had the audience rolling w. laughter w/o even saying a word, just from looks she was giving w. her eyes. A true star.
Just booked tickets for this in August. Also originally had tickets for its launch in September 2020 before the pandemic, was supposed to be for my mum's 60th, 4 years late is better than never!
I was fortunate enough to see Bette Midler (amazing) in the role 3 times, Donna Murphy, Bernadette Peters, Carolee Carmello (twice) and Jessica Sheridan (Betty Buckley’s understudy (also amazing) i also saw Karen Ziemba and the incredible Carol Channing. I love Imelda, excited to see what she brings to the role! ❤️ Also, our dog’s name is Dolly 😂❤
Pearl Bailey first did Dolly in 1968. It was my first Broadway show. The bar was set pretty high for me! 1975 was a revival of a revival. I saw Bette Midler and Bernadette Peters more recently. Bernadette was brilliant.
As Imelda and Tyrone are two of my favourite performers, I will definitely be seeing this x I played Irene Molloy about 10 years ago now and Elegance is such a fun number ! I would have given my right arm to see Bette Middler and Charlue Stemp on Broadway 😍
Would've been nice if Charlie Stemp came back as Barnaby Tucker; he did an incredible job when he stepped in as replacement in the Broadway 2017 revival.
I saw Phyllis Diller of all people with Richard Deacon at the St James theater in 1968. And she was good. Also saw Bernadette Peters in the recent revival. She was amazing
Very exciting for Mickey Jo to be taking us into the GOLDEN AGE!! It's amazing to hear a young person discover Hello Dolly!. It was so much a part of my growing up - mainly because of the film and its soundtrack. It's hard to believe I didn't see it on stage until the Regent's Park production in 2009 (Samantha Spiro), then at Leicester Curve in 2013 (Janie Dee replacing Caroline O'Connor). I hope Mickey Jo is aware of the whole Ethel Merman/Mary Martin background to the original production and can educate everyone. Are any of the additional Merman numbers going to be used at the Palladium? Will 'Penny In My Pocket' be included (it was cut before Broadway). It's also fascinating to note the origins of Thornton Wilder's play 'The Matchmaker' (1954) and the 19th Century European sources, which include an Austrian play (1842) which Tom Stoppard developed into 'On The Razzle' (National Theatre, 1981, with Felicity Kendal as the Barnaby character). I cannot wait.
Hopefully, this production will do well enough so that it will inspire the producers to film it and share it with the rest of the world! Imelda Stanton will be superb as "Dolly", and will leave a lasting impression!!
Pro-shot videos should be standard like cast recordings. Geez, many high schools are already taking advantage of the videography revolution so why is a HS cast look better on video than the pros on Broadway & the West End?
I was lucky enough to see the original London production at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, starring Mary Martin. I also saw her understudy, Eleanor Macready, play the role (Eleanor Macready played Irene Molloy) and later, unfortunately, Dora Bryan who is a wonderful comic actress, but so wrong for Dolly. The only amateur production worth mentioning was Twickenham Operatic Society with Paulette Lythall as Dolly.
UK doesn’t have hello dolly! on Disney plus like in America and of all the craziness I’ve experience in moving here, that might be the worst! Like immense xenophobia is one thing. But no hello dolly?!
I must say that I had the privilege to see the Devine Miss. M as Dolly! Boy was she on fire that day! It was her first week back after being away for several months. I honestly don’t think I’ve seen a show where the leading lady breaks character multiple times and make it a truly extraordinary show! Interesting to hear how Imelda will do it as Dolly. Surely she will smash it but I don’t know if anything can top my experience with Bette Midler or even Carol Channing!
17:00 wait, are they replacing I Put My Hand In with Just Leave Everything to Me? Or singing both? It would be very disappointing if they cut I Put My Hand In
I've seen Hello Dolly on Bway twice: in 1995 w. Carol Channing & 2018 w. Bette Midler. It's a dated show, & although the Jerry Herman score is obviously classic & lovely, there really is no reason to see it other than for the star turn of the actress playing Dolly. I'm only familiar w. Staunton from a couple of TV series, though I've read she's excellent in musical theater. That's a good thing, cause w/o a very strong lead, it would be difficult to sell tkts to such an old-fashioned show.
I saw Imelda in Gypsy in London several years ago and it was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen on a stage in my life. I forgot to breathe! When the show ended there was utter silence (in the Savoy) for what seemed like interminable seconds. Then suddenly the whole house rose as one and brought the house down with the loudest cheers and a standing ovation I've ever heard in a theater (it didn't hurt either that Stephen Sondheim was not only there but it was his birthday and we sang Happy Birthday to him). Imelda was absolutely amazing. Not only is she a stunning dramatic actress but she can really belt out the tunes as well. I'd crawl out of my deathbed to be able to see Hello Dolly. See it if you can.
@@glennnaumovitz9428I'd enjoy checking Staunton out on stage. Perhaps appearing in The Crown has raised her profile high enough in America that some producers would take a chance in casting her in a Bway musical.
Last nite I almost booked a trip to London in September to see Warhorse. Wimbelton gave me pause…is it hard to get to for the directionally challenged and the easily confused from near the london eye?
I saw this one when it toured in the US pre-COVID. I found it a little boring and I don't think I'd see it again though I do like "Before the Parade passes by".
Hard pass for me. I’ve seen the film a billion times - so when I saw it on stage years ago, I was bored. I feel it’s too dated. Music is fab. Imelda will be great.
I got to be a little bit honest here. Remember the movie from when I was a child and was humming the tune endlessly. Recently I started to watch the movie again, haven't seen the musical. But it struck me that the lead is a very toxic portrayal of a woman manipulating to get her own will even to the length of backstabbing to get the man that she thinks she deserves... so i couldn't see it through.. now, i need to watch all to see if this changes... Is it only me that sees a really toxic "oldy-worldy" plot here?
@@MickeyJoTheatre All playful shade 😉, enjoy watching your hair journey, I’m curious where it is going. It must be nice to have options, B*#*#! LOL. Miss Talking to you on the Gram, I haven’t been on in a very long time, hope all is well.
Looks miscast to me. I am Imagine Stanton will be fine. Wtf has happened to London? A cashless society. Does not bode well for £ Requiring a fucking ccard for a program??? Are u nutz? Loved Motive and Cue. Some fine acting here. Skipping all boring musicaks, will see G and D at some place called The Bridge sounds dreadful but ludicrous. Wear an extra coat? Too expensive!
@@emhu2594 and so you are entitled to your opinion. Having known some the original actors represented in the show in real life, I thought it excellent.
Here’s one for ya, mate. I played Barnaby when I was 17 in the world tour with several Dollies, including American icons Mary Martin, Betty Grable, Eve Arden, and Phyllis Diller. I’m a big fan of your show.
My first Dolly was Pearl Bailey in 1968...school field trip and my first Broadway show. I sw Bette and Bernadtte Peters in the most recent Broadway revival. Bernadette was fantastic.
I remember reading that Phyllis played the role "straight" without any personality. I have a feeling she may have been quite good.
I was like you-my knowledge was limited to the film. Spent the summer in NY in 2018, and got to see the revival twice, once with Bernadette Peters and the second with Bette Middler. I sobbed both times during the final chorus of "Put On Your Sunday Clothes," purely because of the magic of theatre. I'd really love to come over to the UK to see this new production
ETA: that Sweeney Todd revival was what got me into Sweeney
I don’t remember too much about it but I remember seeing Dora Bryan playing Dolly. Imelda Staunton never disappoints so I’m looking forward to it.
The coming back that made me book a plane ticket to get back to England
I played Irene Molloy in my middle school production. 😂 My Cornelius Hackl was my first kiss!
When I saw Donna (who was a DREAM) the tears fell like a waterfall when the chorus came out in Sunday clothes. I was surprised when I read that they will use projections in London .
There was a complete (bootleg) video of Donna Murphy as Dolly -- very briefly! -- and she was absolutely brilliant. The show works either with a beloved star connecting with her audience (Midler) or with a singer-actor who really puts in the detailed character work (Murphy). All of this we owe to Ruth Gordon, for whom playwright Thornton Wilder created Mrs. Dolly Gallagher Levi while doing an English-language adaptation of an old German comedy. When the play, titled The Merchant of Yonkers, flopped initially (without Gordon, and with a great but unsuited director, Max Reinhardt), it was Gordon and husband Garson Kanin who urged Wilder to revise it and try again, with Gordon now on board (and Tyrone Guthrie directing at farce-speed). In gratitude, he renamed the play The Matchmaker, and it was a hit... and has belonged to Dolly ever since.
Another great video & I'm excited as you (we also bought tickets for the production rudely disrupted by Covid!).
It is a "classic show" which I performed in as a teenager in an 'amateur' production before going to drama school.
Shout out to your fab outfit as I was in 'The Waiter's Gallop' (I couldn't do that routine now aged 56 😂
Having seen Imelda in Sweeney Todd & Gypsy, I'm sure she'll bring her unique take to this. (Her Mamma Rose in Gypsy was the best I've seen, out of many great performances)
And a stellar supporting cast, including the fab Jenna Russel and other names you mention.
So, if anyone's questioning a "classic musical revival" I'd say try it. (Mickey is right that there hasn't been one in decades, so don't miss your chance.)
As an aside, the Palladium is an exciting venue choice. My husband and I had our Civil Partnership there in 2006.
Coincidentally, we will spend our 33rd Anniversary at Mickey Joe Live as we got 2 of the last remaining tickets.
Another thing to be excited about & hope to meet you and Aaron in person finally.
One more Dolly note...Mary Martin was Dolly on the West End in 1965. The cast album from this production is wonderful.
"Just Leave Everything To Me" was the closest Jerry Herman ever wrote a lyrical patter song on the level of Sondheim.
Got to see Dolly in NYC with Pearl Bailey - it was wonderful and she was amazing!
As I had bought a ticket for the production in 2020, I was excited to see it finally returning. I saw Imelda Staunton and told her that I had originally bought as ticket in 2020 and I had re-booked. She gave me a big grin and a thumbs up.
Thrilled to see Jodie cast in this and it would be so exciting to see her as the alternate!! But as a HUGE kathy and stella fan I have to say I’m more than a teeny bit sad not to be seeing her again as Felicia, she was so iconic in that role, it was like it was made for her!!
I saw Betty Buckley on the North America Tour of "Hello, Dolly!" in Boston. Honestly, it was one of my favourite pieces of theatre I've ever seen. The train appearing on stage during "Sunday clothes" was breathtaking and a lot of tears were shed!!
So looking forward to this! Great to see you at the launch!
My favorite of the "old timey" musicals. I've seen it multiple times and it never gets old (even when performed my hopelessly young high schoolers). I saw Channing on her last revival in the 90s, but my favorite Dolly was, hands down, Betty Buckley in the recent national tour. It is a show that works better the older Dolly and Vandergelder are. A widow and a widower pushing their way back into life before the . . . . well, you know the song.
You look so sophisticatedly handsome in that red tuxedo! ❤️
Am really noy sure about this musical but have got tickets for Imelda Staunton. I just can't miss her. Hoping I will love it.
Ive seen Hello Dolly with Carol Channing and Bette Midler, as well as Streisand on film ( believe it or not, she's third place in comparison), so i personally have a quite high standard for that musical. It requires a mego talented actress/diva to elevate the production and, honestly couldnt imagine most younger stars/divas rising to the occasion...then you said Imelda Staunton....and OMG, I immediately wanted to see this production myself!!! She is so brilliant and has a presence that this production demands! This is not just a musical, but a full star/diva vehicle that falls apart without a Dolly worthy of this grandiose diva role that also has such emotional notes. I wish i could see her in the west end!
The Carol Channing performance of the main character was flabborgusting !!
@@Ayanamy-vl2plAn icon I'd love to have seen, alongside the Divine Miss M and others in the roll-call.
The role requires a star performer and I think we'll have one in Imelda. Can't wait to see it.
Streisand was too young for the role. And of course they had to drop the character's middle name, "Gallagher." It was a typical quietly subversive Thornton Wilder touch (in the original play) that she should be an Irish woman who married a Jewish man, something that would probably have been a bit eyebrow-raising in the late 19th-century setting of both the play (The Matchmaker) and musical, and which shows Dolly's independent spirit in marrying Ephraim Levi for love.
I saw Carol Channing play Dolly on one of her last national tours.... amazing! And recently I saw Bette Midler play Dolly on Broadway.... Bette brought down the house even before she opened her mouth... also amazing!
Actually Pearl Bailey and Cab Calloway appeared in Hello, Dolly! at the St. James in 1968. The company went on tour in 1969. For some strange reason this run is not included in Wikipedia. It was quite successful. The stage show wasn't a big hit until Louis Armstrong recorded the title song. That's why he makes a cameo appearance in the film.
Omg…that spitcurl!!!!!
Caroline Schermerhorn Astor (Sonna) as Dolly Levy would be something to see. I first saw Imelda Staunton in Vera Drake which was a tour de force. I would love to see Dolly bc I have only see Barbra Streisand inI the film which I loved loved loved. Huge Streisand fan here.
Donna
I got to see Carol Channing on her final US tour. It was directed & costarred Leroy Reams to replicate the original staging & designs. I adored her charming performance but because of her age, they found creative ways to have her sitting down through most of the show, yet she was more energized than some younger performers on their feet.
I saw that same production, in 1995. Although Channing was indeed pretty old at the time, she still gave one of the most amazing performances I've ever seen on stage, to this day. She had the audience rolling w. laughter w/o even saying a word, just from looks she was giving w. her eyes. A true star.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this show and score!
Just wanna say, Jerry Herman is an underrated musical theater composer/lyricist.
Just booked tickets for this in August. Also originally had tickets for its launch in September 2020 before the pandemic, was supposed to be for my mum's 60th, 4 years late is better than never!
I know “put on your Sunday clothes” and “it only takes a moment” from WALL.E and that is all I know of hello dolly
Tickets booked….hadn’t spotted the link to Kathy and Stella star which I saw at HOME in Manchester
I was fortunate enough to see Bette Midler (amazing) in the role 3 times, Donna Murphy, Bernadette Peters, Carolee Carmello (twice) and Jessica Sheridan (Betty Buckley’s understudy (also amazing) i also saw Karen Ziemba and the incredible Carol Channing. I love Imelda, excited to see what she brings to the role! ❤️ Also, our dog’s name is Dolly 😂❤
Very Jealous, but at least I got to see Betty. I can you loan you her infinity stone lol, so you can complete your set :-).
Ok, you've sold me - I was not convinced
Pearl Bailey first did Dolly in 1968. It was my first Broadway show. The bar was set pretty high for me! 1975 was a revival of a revival. I saw Bette Midler and Bernadette Peters more recently. Bernadette was brilliant.
Ah, thank you for the correction!
@@MickeyJoTheatreCharlie Stemp was Barnaby in the Bette Midler production.
As Imelda and Tyrone are two of my favourite performers, I will definitely be seeing this x I played Irene Molloy about 10 years ago now and Elegance is such a fun number ! I would have given my right arm to see Bette Middler and Charlue Stemp on Broadway 😍
You’ve convinced me! I’m going!
I've heard of an Italian version of Dolly that opened with Just Leave Everything to Me instead of I Put My Hand In
i saw Bette Midler as Dolly in 2017 on Broadway......Amazing. Open your heart, I think you will love this show. Looking forward to your review.
Would've been nice if Charlie Stemp came back as Barnaby Tucker; he did an incredible job when he stepped in as replacement in the Broadway 2017 revival.
The show is great. And there have been tonnes of tour versions. Shocking that you haven't seen any of them!
When's the last time it toured, Christopher?
Ah I guess it was around 2008/2010. When did you start going to shows?
I've seen local versions since then and was even in 2 of them.
@@ChristopherJOatway 2010 was when I started, I'd have been 15 haha.
I saw Phyllis Diller of all people with Richard Deacon at the St James theater in 1968. And she was good. Also saw Bernadette Peters in the recent revival. She was amazing
Very exciting for Mickey Jo to be taking us into the GOLDEN AGE!! It's amazing to hear a young person discover Hello Dolly!. It was so much a part of my growing up - mainly because of the film and its soundtrack. It's hard to believe I didn't see it on stage until the Regent's Park production in 2009 (Samantha Spiro), then at Leicester Curve in 2013 (Janie Dee replacing Caroline O'Connor). I hope Mickey Jo is aware of the whole Ethel Merman/Mary Martin background to the original production and can educate everyone. Are any of the additional Merman numbers going to be used at the Palladium? Will 'Penny In My Pocket' be included (it was cut before Broadway). It's also fascinating to note the origins of Thornton Wilder's play 'The Matchmaker' (1954) and the 19th Century European sources, which include an Austrian play (1842) which Tom Stoppard developed into 'On The Razzle' (National Theatre, 1981, with Felicity Kendal as the Barnaby character). I cannot wait.
Hopefully, this production will do well enough so that it will inspire the producers to film it and share it with the rest of the world! Imelda Stanton will be superb as "Dolly", and will leave a lasting impression!!
Pro-shot videos should be standard like cast recordings. Geez, many high schools are already taking advantage of the videography revolution so why is a HS cast look better on video than the pros on Broadway & the West End?
My only reference for hello, dolly is that it’s the film Wall-e is watching in wall-e
I was lucky enough to see the original London production at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, starring Mary Martin. I also saw her understudy, Eleanor Macready, play the role (Eleanor Macready played Irene Molloy) and later, unfortunately, Dora Bryan who is a wonderful comic actress, but so wrong for Dolly. The only amateur production worth mentioning was Twickenham Operatic Society with Paulette Lythall as Dolly.
There's a full amateur full video of Bette Midler and Bernadette Peters during the Broadway 2017 revival. They're great, even if it's only on video.
UK doesn’t have hello dolly! on Disney plus like in America and of all the craziness I’ve experience in moving here, that might be the worst! Like immense xenophobia is one thing. But no hello dolly?!
I must say that I had the privilege to see the Devine Miss. M as Dolly! Boy was she on fire that day! It was her first week back after being away for several months. I honestly don’t think I’ve seen a show where the leading lady breaks character multiple times and make it a truly extraordinary show! Interesting to hear how Imelda will do it as Dolly. Surely she will smash it but I don’t know if anything can top my experience with Bette Midler or even Carol Channing!
I was just listening to the Bette Midler, David Hyde Pierce cast recording tonight.
Interesting. Thanks!
ohh, please, we need the gossip about Imelda! :D Which musical? :D
My comment was already and wanted to ask this too 😂
Dish the gossip MickeyJoe
17:00 wait, are they replacing I Put My Hand In with Just Leave Everything to Me? Or singing both? It would be very disappointing if they cut I Put My Hand In
If the show in the West End is anything like Bette Midler's revival a few years back, it will be a delightful spectacle!
Loved the Bette production. Do you think it will extend beyond September?
I was about to say, it’s giving Waiters’ Gallop and I love it.
I've seen Hello Dolly on Bway twice: in 1995 w. Carol Channing & 2018 w. Bette Midler. It's a dated show, & although the Jerry Herman score is obviously classic & lovely, there really is no reason to see it other than for the star turn of the actress playing Dolly. I'm only familiar w. Staunton from a couple of TV series, though I've read she's excellent in musical theater. That's a good thing, cause w/o a very strong lead, it would be difficult to sell tkts to such an old-fashioned show.
I saw Imelda in Gypsy in London several years ago and it was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen on a stage in my life. I forgot to breathe! When the show ended there was utter silence (in the Savoy) for what seemed like interminable seconds. Then suddenly the whole house rose as one and brought the house down with the loudest cheers and a standing ovation I've ever heard in a theater (it didn't hurt either that Stephen Sondheim was not only there but it was his birthday and we sang Happy Birthday to him). Imelda was absolutely amazing. Not only is she a stunning dramatic actress but she can really belt out the tunes as well. I'd crawl out of my deathbed to be able to see Hello Dolly. See it if you can.
@@glennnaumovitz9428I'd enjoy checking Staunton out on stage. Perhaps appearing in The Crown has raised her profile high enough in America that some producers would take a chance in casting her in a Bway musical.
When the West End version was originally scheduled in 2020 would it been in competition with the Bette MIDLER Hello Dolly on Broadway?
Last nite I almost booked a trip to London in September to see Warhorse. Wimbelton gave me pause…is it hard to get to for the directionally challenged and the easily confused from near the london eye?
It's not far by train from Waterloo or underground from just across the river!
I saw this one when it toured in the US pre-COVID. I found it a little boring and I don't think I'd see it again though I do like "Before the Parade passes by".
Who's choreographing?
Talking of batsh!t crazy, how amazing would it be to see Imelda as Felicia in Witches of Eastwick 🤣
Hard pass for me. I’ve seen the film a billion times - so when I saw it on stage years ago, I was bored. I feel it’s too dated. Music is fab. Imelda will be great.
I got to be a little bit honest here. Remember the movie from when I was a child and was humming the tune endlessly. Recently I started to watch the movie again, haven't seen the musical. But it struck me that the lead is a very toxic portrayal of a woman manipulating to get her own will even to the length of backstabbing to get the man that she thinks she deserves... so i couldn't see it through.. now, i need to watch all to see if this changes... Is it only me that sees a really toxic "oldy-worldy" plot here?
Can't wait to see a manic Dolly. If Staunton plays her the same as Mama Rose or Sally it will be the hat trick of overacting performances.
Sorry, Mickey, but as a gay man, I mean wearing two different shades of red together?!? Must be a country thing lol 😉YIKES
I WASN'T HAPPY ABOUT IT EITHER PATRICK 😂
@@MickeyJoTheatre All playful shade 😉, enjoy watching your hair journey, I’m curious where it is going. It must be nice to have options, B*#*#! LOL. Miss Talking to you on the Gram, I haven’t been on in a very long time, hope all is well.
Im not excited, all these things are so old timey and not in a good way. Give me sweeney with josh groban.
No more Imelsa Staunton...Enough..
Looks miscast to me. I am Imagine Stanton will be fine. Wtf has happened to London? A cashless society. Does not bode well for £ Requiring a fucking ccard for a program??? Are u nutz? Loved Motive and Cue. Some fine acting here. Skipping all boring musicaks, will see G and D at some place called The Bridge sounds dreadful but ludicrous. Wear an extra coat? Too expensive!
I hated the motive and the cue. I don't find badly done Shakespeare or a 3 hour mantrum compelling.
@@emhu2594 and so you are entitled to your opinion. Having known some the original actors represented in the show in real life, I thought it excellent.
This show is definitely not my jam.