Bette Midler Will Return To Star In ‘Hello Dolly’ On Broadway

Image by Getty Images
Promise you’ll never go away again, Bette!
The 2017 Tony Award winner for the titular role in “Hello, Dolly” will return to the Broadway stage for the final weeks of the production she made a smash hit. Bette Midler, who received rave reviews last year for her portrayal of Dolly Levi opposite David Hyde Pierce, will resume her role for the final six weeks of the revival’s Broadway run. Hyde Pierce will also resume his role, replacing Victor Garber. Midler will retake the reigns from Bernadette Peters, who took over the role from Midler in April.
“Hello, Dolly!” producer Scott Rudin announced that the show will close on August 25, after playing for 17 months. The production, which also won the Tony Award for Best Musical Revival, will go on to tour the country beginning in October, with “Cats” legend Betty Buckley in the title role.
For this, the fourth Broadway revival of the 1964 production, Midler was heralded as one of the great Dolly Gallagher Levis of all time.
It will be so nice to have her back where she belongs.
Jenny Singer is a writer for the Forward. You can reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter @jeanvaljenny
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
