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Four-time Tony Award winner will direct, and Tony winner will choreograph the production, which will begin Broadway previews March 13, 2017, and open April 20 at a theatre to be announced.
Midler issued a statement saying, "I am looking forward to portraying one of the most beloved characters in all of American Musical Comedy, Dolly Levi, born Gallagher, in Hello, Dolly! I know I'm going to have the time of my life, and I am so glad to be under the wings of as Producer and as Director. See you next year!"
Composer/lyricist said, "Many times through the years I've been asked about bringing back Hello, Dolly! 鈥� and it has always been, 'Who would be my dream Dolly?' 鈥� and though I've had literally dozens of names tossed at me, I knew that we needed more than just a wonderful singer or a wonderful actor, so I held on to the hope that she would also be a distinctly original persona. Who is out there that has the necessary stature, warmth, the incredible talent and ability, and especially the singular, outsized personality that I was looking for in a 21st century Dolly? Only one person: . Only Bette could bring Dolly brilliantly back to 'the lights of 14th Street!'"
No other casting was announced. Tickets won't go on sale until a theatre is announced.
The title role, one of the greatest leading lady roles in musical theatre, was written for , but ultimately originated by , 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 , , , , , , and, at last, Merman. starred in the film version.
Produced by Scott Rudin, the show has a book by , based on The Matchmaker by . It won a then-record 11 Tony Awards in 1964, including Best Musical, and ran 2,844 performances, making it briefly the longest-running musical in Broadway history.
