Carol Channing, the musical theatre legend, collapsed on the set of the television news program "The View" early on Jan. 29, and was rushed to Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan, a spokesman for the Tony-winning actress told Playbill On-Line. She was diagnosed with an unspecified virus that, said spokesman Harlan Boll, "is very hard on anyone, let alone someone of Carol's age. " Channing is 81. Channing—who as recently as Monday night made an appearance at the Theatre Hall of Fame ceremony in NYC—was already on the set of "The View" with interviewer Barbara Walters when she collapsed. The program's producer Sue Soloman made the decision to call an ambulance. Channing subsequently canceled five public appearance for Jan. 29 and 30. Lenox Hill physicians, who have admitted her for the next two days, say she must rehydrate before attempted further travel.

Channing created the title role in Jerry Herman's musical, Hello, Dolly!, a show she has personified for more than 35 years.

—By Robert Simonson