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Hello, Dolly! (musical)

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Hello, Dolly! is a famous musical theater show that people still love today.

Carol Channing - 1964
Carol Channing - 1964

The story follows a strong woman named Dolly Gallagher Levi. Dolly is a matchmaker, which means she helps people find love. She is also a widow who is ready to start a new life. The musical is full of bright songs and energetic dances. One of the most famous songs is called "Before the Parade Passes By."

Carol Channing Hello Dolly 1966
Carol Channing Hello Dolly 1966

People enjoy this show because it is about finding joy and adventure.

The story takes place in New York and Yonkers, New York. Dolly travels to Yonkers to help a grumpy, wealthy man named Horace Vandergelder. Horace owns a business called Vandergelder's Hay and Feed. Dolly wants to find him a wife, but she might want to marry him herself! Other characters, like clerks Cornelius Hackl and Barnaby Tucker, go on their own adventures in the city. They even use tomato cans to make a bad smell so they can leave work. The characters meet at the fancy Harmonia Gardens Restaurant for a big dinner.

Bette Midler Hello Dolly Broadway (34654432724)
Bette Midler Hello Dolly Broadway (34654432724)

This musical has a long history that began with older plays. It started with an English play from 1835 called "A Day Well Spent." Later, a writer named Thornton Wilder changed the story into a play called "The Merchant of Yonkers" in 1938. He later changed it again to "The Matchmaker" in 1954. The musical we know today was written by Jerry Herman and Michael Stewart. It even had a different name at first called "Dolly, A Damned Exasperating Woman." Eventually, the creators chose the title "Hello, Dolly!" after hearing a song by Louis Armstrong.

The musical first appeared in Detroit on November 18, 1963.

It moved to Broadway in 1964 and became a massive hit. The show won 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. This was a record that lasted for 37 years! The famous actress Carol Channing played Dolly, and she is still linked to the role. The show ran for 2,844 performances on Broadway. In 1969, a movie version was also made by 20th Century Fox. That film won three Academy Awards and was even nominated for Best Picture.

You might recognize some of the music or the style of the show. The songs are so popular that the album reached number one on the Billboard charts in 1964. Even Louis Armstrong sang a part of the title song in the movie. Many famous stars have played Dolly on stage over the years. For example, Bette Midler performed the role in a 2017 Broadway show.

Bette Midler Hello Dolly Broadway (34654432724)
Bette Midler Hello Dolly Broadway (34654432724)

Other stars like Imelda Staunton have performed it in London. Because the story is so wonderful, there are always new versions for people to see.

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🖼️ Images & Media (6)
File:Carol Channing - 1964.jpg
Carol Channing - 1964.jpg
File:Carol Channing Hello Dolly 1966.jpg
Carol Channing Hello Dolly 1966.jpg
File:Pearl Bailey Ed Sullivan Show 1968.JPG
Pearl Bailey Ed Sullivan Show 1968.JPG
File:Hello Dolly, London Palladium, August 2024 a.jpg
Hello Dolly, London Palladium, August 2024 a.jpg
File:Bette Midler Hello Dolly Broadway (34654432724).jpg
Bette Midler Hello Dolly Broadway...
File:Hello Dolly - Shubert Theater Broadway - Thursday 5th October 2017 (cropped).jpg
Hello Dolly - Shubert Theater Broadway -...
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