This is the first image of Bette Midler as Dolly Levi in “Hello, Dolly!” The musical with the biggest advance in history starts tonight with a dress rehearsal. Official previews begin tomorrow night. When I was a kid we saw Ethel Merman on Broadway. Subsequently I also saw Carol Channing and Pearl Bailey. Barbra Streisand was miscast in the movie version, which was a huge bust. (She was too young.) Now comes Bette. If this isn’t perfect Broadway casting, then what is? And Donna Murphy fills in for her on matinees, maybe takes over when Bette leaves. It’s all good! We’re back at the Harmonia Gardens restaurant on 14th Street, where now there’s a Best Buy and an NYU dorm. Never forget!
Share
Donate to Showbiz411.com
Showbiz411 is now in its 13th year of providing breaking and exclusive entertainment news. This is an independent site, unlike the many Hollywood trades that are owned by one company. To continue providing news that takes a fresh look at what's going on in movies, music, theater, etc, advertising is our basis. Reader donations would be greatly appreciated, too. They are just another facet of keeping fact based journalism alive.
Thank you
Read more