Rumor Patrol: Cindy Adams Says Carol Channing Possible for HELLO, DOLLY Revival!?

Despite firm denials from both press rep Rick Miramontez and producer Scott Rudin, as well as the star's age (95), the NY Post's Cindy Adams insists she has heard rumors that Carol Channing could be up for playing the matinee 'Dolly' in the upcoming Broadway revival of Hello Dolly. Of note, the rumors that BroadwayWorld has been hearing have been totally different than Ms. Adams report which reads: "A rumor. Rumor. Just a rumor. You won't believe it. I don't believe it. No one who's in their right mind should believe it. But being burbled is - ready? - Bette will let Channing - age 95! - do two matinees weekly."

As has been previously announced, Bette Midler will star in the upcoming Broadway revival, which begins previewing March 15, 2017, with an official opening night of April 20, 2017. Four-time Tony Award winner Jerry Zaks directs the revival also starring Tony Award winner David Hyde Pierce as leading man Horace Vandergelder.

Of course, Channing starred in the award winning Broadway production of the 1964 musical comedy produced by David Merrick. The standing room only production received a record 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, a record held for 35 years. The musical, directed and choreographed by Gower Champion opened on January 16, 1964, at the St. James Theatre and closed on December 27, 1970, after 2,844 performances. Carol Channing starred as Dolly, with a supporting cast that included David Burns as Horace, Charles Nelson Reilly as Cornelius, Eileen Brennan as Irene, Jerry Dodge as Barnaby, Sondra Lee as Minnie Fay, Alice Playten as Ermengarde, and Igors Gavon as Ambrose.

Watch Channing's performance of the show's title tune below:

As BWW reported back in May, Midler was introduced to the legendary Carol Channing and shared a photo of the meeting on Twitter:

In 2010, the 22nd Annual GYPSY OF THE YEAR Competition, presented by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, opened with an unforgettable tribute to three-time Tony Award-winner Carol Channing. Watch the video:

Tell us who you think would make a great 'Dolly' alternate in the upcoming revival?