Stage Writes
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From Channing to Grable to Merman, See Vintage Shots From 'Hello, Dolly!'
Hello, Dolly! is back on Broadway starring Better Midler at the Shubert Theatre.
The title role was written for Ethel Merman, but ultimately originated by Carol Channing, who won the Tony Award as Best Actress in a Musical for the role, and also starred in the most recent Broadway revival of the musical in 1995. During its original run the role was played by Ginger Rogers, Martha Raye, Betty Grable, Phyllis Diller, Bibi Osterwald, Thelma Carpenter, Pearl Bailey and, at last, Merman. Barbra Streisand starred in the film version.
Bette Midler returns to the stage in her first leading role in a Broadway musical as Hello, Dolly! which began performances at the Shubert Theatre March 15. The revival will open officially April 20.
Click here for the original article and gallery published on Playbill.com by Hannah Vine on April 9, 2017.