Bette Midler’s return to Broadway in the revival of Hello, Dolly! will be commemorated by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, who will proclaim April 21 as “Dolly Day” in New York City.

The Mayor’s proclamation will be hand-delivered to the Shubert Theatre prior to the April 20 opening night performance. Midler takes on the iconic role of Dolly Gallagher Levi, originated on Broadway in 1963 by Carol Channing.

The Mayor’s proclamation reads:

Whereas: As a global hub of arts and culture, New York has a proud tradition of launching plays and musicals that have shaped the history of theater in the five boroughs and far beyond. When the romantic comedy Hello, Dolly! premiered on Broadway in 1964, it became an immediate smash hit that had a groundbreaking run of seven years. Since its debut, this influential musical has been made into a Hollywood film, presented in London’s West End, and produced by countless theater companies and school groups around the world. Written by Michael Stewart and Jerry Herman, and set in New York at the turn of the last century, this beloved show endures today as a timeless classic of American theatre.

Whereas: Last night, the Shubert Theatre curtain rose on the much-anticipated first-ever* Broadway revival of Hello, Dolly! starring the phenomenally talented Bette Midler as the indomitable Dolly Gallagher Levi. It takes a quintessential New York woman to play one, and with her powerful voice, deft comedic timing, and gregarious personality, the Divine Miss M. is ideally suited to embody the charmingly meddlesome matchmaker. In addition to thanking their lucky stars for the opportunity to see this award-winning actor, singer, and dancer perform on stage, New Yorkers owe a debt of gratitude to Midler for her efforts to revitalize abandoned parks, gardens and open spaces in all five boroughs through the New York Restoration Project, a non-profit organization that she founded in 1995.

Whereas: In addition to Bette Midler’s star turn as Dolly, this thrilling production’s accomplished cast includes David Hyde Pierce—another remarkable New Yorker—in the role of Horace Vandergelder, a crotchety widower and Dolly’s romantic interest. As the orchestra starts playing all of your old favorite songs from this wonderful musical, Chirlane and I join in applauding the show’s cast, musicians, crew, designers and producers for their efforts to enrich New York’s dynamic performing arts landscape, strengthen our city’s economic vibrancy, and captivate our diverse residents and visitors through the power of musical theater. On the occasion of its triumphant return, I am pleased to welcome Hello, Dolly! back where it belongs—on Broadway!

Now therefore, I, Bill De Blasio, Mayor of the City of New York, do hereby proclaim Friday, April 21, 2017 in the City of New York as: “Dolly Day”

*Editor’s Note: This is the fourth Broadway revival of Hello, Dolly! (though the first starring Midler).

The Broadway revival of Michael Stewart and Jerry Herman’s musical is directed by Jerry Zaks and choreographed by Warren Carlyle.

To purchase tickets, click here. The Shubert Theatre is located at 225 W. 44th Street, New York City.

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