Hello Bette

Every show-tune queen (and more than a few others) are breaking out the bubbly to celebrate the news that The Divine Miss M will be back on Broadway next year. And if that is not exciting news enough, she will starring in the first ever brand new staging of Jerry Herman’s classic Tony Award winning show “Hello Dolly!”. This new production will be directed by four-time Tony Award winner Jerry Zaks with choreography by Tony Award winner Warren Carlyle.

This evergreen Show was originally written in the 1960’s specifically for Ethel Merman who turned it down, as did Mary Martin who was the producers 2nd choice, and the part went to Carol Channing who still seems to be performing ever since. Although the role is closely identified with her (and a certain young Jewish actress about to make her first big movie) over the past six decades it has been played by every big (and small) star who can squeeze into a sequin frock and make a big camp entrance surrounded by pretty chorus boys. Including Miss Merman and Miss Martin who changed their minds when they saw that the Show was a smash hit.

Here are just a few of the divas and gay icons who have been Dolly Levi one way or another up until now.