Oct, 19, 2022

Oh my gosh. My life is so crazy.

There I was, writing about dancing in my high school production of “Hello, Dolly!,” and, low and behold, a “Dolly!” show program arrives in the mail from an old high school chum. And the show stars Carol Channing, the original Dolly of Broadway.

What a surprise and delight. I was so excited I could hardly contain myself. And the accompanying letter is so wonderful.

“Dear Les,

            I have no idea why I think this musical program would be of interest to you but here you have it. As Always, Margie “

Interested? Yes! More like elated and inspired.

She goes on to say …

The program was given to her by a grandmother who saved it after seeing the show at the Chicago playhouse. (circa 1966) Then she kept it because her brother was in our 1970 high school production for which she was the costume director.

Wow! That was news to me. I’d totally forgotten that detail about her doing costumes and wanted to know more about these costumes rented from a Broadway costume house.

“The costumer,” she said, “had sent Louis Armstrong’s top hat and Pearl Bailey’s blouse. There was a piece of clothing worn by Carol Channing, but we opted not to use it.” 

How cool is that?

Not the part about Carol’s dress, but that we had costumes from a Broadway show. They were so beautiful, made of damasks and brocades, with lovely braiding, ribbons and lace. And wearing them made me feel like a real professional.

“Anyway,” she says,” I imagine you could use it in a vignette in your shop. If it is of no use, you’re welcome to toss it. I’ve kept it long enough.”

No way is it being tossed! It’s a keeper. And, has definitely found the right place to land. 

Like I said -- What a day! What a gift! And, how amazing!

Dollys Past & Present:

“Hello, Dolly!,” starring Carol Channing, debuted in 1964 at the Fisher Theater in Detroit before moving to Broadway. The role was originally written for Ethel Merman, but she turned it down. She did eventually play the role, coming in as a replacement in 1964, followed by Betty Grable, Ginger Rogers and Phyllis Diller. She must have been a hoot!

Pearl Bailey, whose blouse showed up in our costume rentals, came in during the next wave of performers in the 1960s and ‘70s, along with Mary Martin, Carol Channing, once again, and Barbra Streisand, who took Dolly to Hollywood in the 1969 film.

Then, it was Bette Midler, who brought Dolly back to Broadway in 2017 for a Tony winning performance, with Donna Murphy and Bernadette Peters as her replacements for the 14-month run.