Bette Midler currently headlines the Broadway revival of Hello, Dolly! at the Shubert Theatre. Take a look back at the Playbill covers featuring the great ladies to precede her in the role.
The title role, one of the greatest leading lady roles in musical theatre, was written for Ethel Merman, but ultimately originated by Carol Channing, who won the Tony Award as Best Actress in a Musical for the role, and also starred in the most recent Broadway revival of the musical in 1995. During its original run the role was played by Ginger Rogers, Martha Raye, Betty Grable, Phyllis Diller, Bibi Osterwald, Thelma Carpenter, Pearl Bailey and, at last, Merman. Barbra Streisand starred in the film version.
Flip through the covers below:
The Jerry Zaks-helmed production opened at the Shubert Theatre April 20 and immediately shattered box-office records. On May 2, the revival received ten Tony Award nominations, including the aforementioned nods for its four principals, as well as Best Revival of a Musical and Best Direction of a Musical.
To purchase tickets, click here. The Shubert Theatre is located at 225 W. 44th Street, New York City.
