Channing played Mrs. Dolly Gallagher Levi at least 5,000 times on stage winning the Tony in 1964-66; then in revivals 1977-79; 1981-83; 1994-96. If I were a paid back stage employee of a Channing production, I'd feel pretty comfortable buying a nice car on a payment plan because that job is going to be the most regular gig I will ever get!
I didn't see Bette Midler do her version, nor would it interest me. I am sure she was fine, but this for me is the only HELLO DOLLY I want to see. I felt privileged to see Carol Channing do this in Chicago, around 1994.
johnfd0210 Bette Midler was great and a once in a lifetime experience, Bette like so many others felt like she was “playing” it. Carol WAS it. You didn’t get a feeling Carol was acting it. She was in perfect harmony with the character. All others are just paying tribute when they do Dolly. I saw her in 1996 and will stay with me forever! Seeing her 5th row orchestra was electrifying. You just new this was her last go round as Dolly and you were witnessing history!
She was so magnetic and larger than life. I remember my first awareness of her was the 80s tv special of Alice in Wonderland.
Channing played Mrs. Dolly Gallagher Levi at least 5,000 times on stage winning the Tony in 1964-66; then in revivals 1977-79; 1981-83; 1994-96. If I were a paid back stage employee of a Channing production, I'd feel pretty comfortable buying a nice car on a payment plan because that job is going to be the most regular gig I will ever get!
Powerful.
She makes mincemeat of Bette Midler.
I didn't see Bette Midler do her version, nor would it interest me. I am sure she was fine, but this for me is the only HELLO DOLLY I want to see. I felt privileged to see Carol Channing do this in Chicago, around 1994.
johnfd0210 Bette Midler was great and a once in a lifetime experience, Bette like so many others felt like she was “playing” it. Carol WAS it. You didn’t get a feeling Carol was acting it. She was in perfect harmony with the character. All others are just paying tribute when they do Dolly. I saw her in 1996 and will stay with me forever! Seeing her 5th row orchestra was electrifying. You just new this was her last go round as Dolly and you were witnessing history!
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