The Times reports that Nederlander Organization has been developing the revival of the Tony Award-winning Jerry Herman musical with LuPone in mind. LuPone, the New York daily says, is eager to tackle the role of the fast-talking matchmaker, which was originated on stage by Carol Channing and later preserved on film by Barbra Streisand.
LuPone's representative told Playbill.com it was too early to speculate about a Hello, Dolly! revival, saying, "She has talked on the phone with Jerry Herman, but that's as far as it's gone."
It seems theatre fans are also hoping to see the stage veteran enter Harmonia Gardens. A Facebook group has been created petitioning for a revival of the tuneful musical with LuPone in the lead.
Reports emerged in 2003 that the Nederlander Organization was planning to revive Herman's Mame, La Cage and Hello, Dolly! Nederlander has been involved in both the 2005 and current revival of La Cage on Broadway.
Playbill.com has also learned that LuPone and her Evita co-star Mandy Patinkin may bring An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin to Broadway for a limited run at a Shubert house in 2011. LuPone's spokesperson said there had been previous talk of a possible New York bow, but had no confirmation of a Broadway run. LuPone and Patinkin continue to tour the concert across the U.S.
LuPone currently stars in the Lincoln Center Theater musical Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown.