Imelda will play the title character and Jenna Russell will play Irene Malloy at the Adelphi beginning August 2020. @hellodollyldn The production will be directed by Dominic Cooke (NT Follies) and produced by David Ian and Michael Harrison.
If you're going to paste from Baz, I'll include the link.
https://twitter.com/BazBam/status/1197649069914673153
Love Imelda, and I certainly won’t be seeing this since I don’t live in London, but I really hope she doesn’t trot out the stark raving mad schtick she’s been pushing for the last 5 years or so.
Mehhhh.
Why can’t we just have Jenna Russell as Dolly?
I’m frankly too much of a Potter nut to like her and root for her so I simply cannot imagine her as Dolly Levi.
That being said, I had no idea she was in musician theatre. I wish them the best. Not a Rudin production I assume?
oh lord, how will Imelda complicate this character? Wasn't Elaine Paige available?
Mike Barrett said: "I’m frankly too much of a Potter nut to like her and root for her so I simply cannot imagine her as Dolly Levi.
That being said, I had no idea she was in musician theatre. I wish them the best. Not a Rudin production I assume? "
She’s been in Follies, Gypsy, and Sweeney Todd just in the last few years
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/19
Russell seems old for that part no?
SouthernCakes said: "Russell seems old for that part no? "
This my my thought too. I’d much rather see Russell’s Dolly.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/15/07
SouthernCakes said: "Russell seems old for that part no?"
In many ways no. I almost makes more sense for a woman her age to be tired of being a widow running a hat shop, tired of being called a wicked woman, and longing to "rejoin the human race."
However it's in the script Cornelius is in his 20s (I forget the age the line says) so it's certainly making a statement about the age gap.
Why in the world is this anything other than the Rudin production with Bette at the Palladium?
I'm sure this will be... very stately.
Understudy Joined: 12/12/11
nasty_khakis said: "However it's in the script Cornelius is in his 20s (I forget the age the line says) so it's certainly making a statement about the age gap."
He's 33.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/31/18
I'm sure she'll be better than Midler, but I couldn't possibly sit through the show again to find out.
So this isn’t the Zaks production? I thought Russell is too old as well.
Never mind. BWW updated its original article stating it’s a new production.
I also had the initial reaction that Russell is too old. But ultimately the character doesn’t HAVE to be young, and Russell will surely do a great job.
That said, I agree that that she’d be a great Dolly. I don’t mind Imelda; she’s the right “type,” and I’m sure she can hit all the notes and all the comedic beats. But I have a feeling that her Dolly will be pretty devoid of charm and likability.
Broadway Star Joined: 4/9/17
These criticisms sound like people reacting to Buckley all over again and things turned out fine with her. Dolly offers a lot of room for women with different personalities and styles to embody the character.
Mike Barrett said: "I’m frankly too much of a Potter nut to like her and root for her so I simply cannot imagine her as Dolly Levi.
That being said, I had no idea she was in musician theatre. I wish them the best. Not a Rudin production I assume? "
Maybe Im twisted ,but Dolores Umbridge is one of my favorite characters. I just love how you evil she is.
Broadway Star Joined: 3/27/19
gleek4114 said: "Why can’t we just have Jenna Russell as Dolly?"
my exact reaction.
What an absolutely insane choice of casting. I’ll be in town for “Sister Act” so I’m 100% going to see this but this will no doubt be the most intense Dolly Levi we’ll ever see. I can’t imagine who they’ll cast as Horace next to her.
CATSNYrevival said: "Why in the world is this anything other than the Rudin production with Bette at the Palladium?"
My thoughts too
The absence of an exclamation point is telling.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
Hmm... this could possibly be where I celebrate seeing the show for the 100th time.
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