Not only did I get to see Carol Channing in the Hello, Dolly! revival in the 90s, but I also saw her in Jerry's Girls at the Bushnell in Hartford in January 1985.
Hey Dottie!
Did your colleagues enjoy the cake even though your cat decided to sit on it? ~GuyfromGermany
Tonight, I will be at the opening of "Hello, Dolly!" here in San Diego. As has been reported, the performance is dedicated to the memory of Carol Channing. I didn't realize until just now, that the first stop for Carol's first tour of "Hello, Dolly!" was also in San Diego in the same theatre where Betty Buckley is performing, just a few hours after Carol left us.
I first saw "Hello, Dolly!" in London 50 years ago. I first saw Betty Buckley in "Promises, Promises" in London 50 years ago. I first saw Carol Channing on stage in London 50 years ago. And now, half a century later, it has all come full circle for me. Oh my.
I loved her in Hello, Dolly in Summer (I think it was August) 1965, when I saw her from the last row of the second balcony at the St. James, and again at the Lunt-Fontanne 15 years later, and the Blumenthal Theatre in Charlotte 15 years later. She was no older and I was suddenly middle aged. I also saw her in Lorelei only once (it was a pretty bad production), but will always cherish her renditions of Diamonds... and Bye, Bye, Baby.
I only saw her live one other time, in a comedy that she did with Sid Caesar at the Broadhurst. I seem to recall that it was an evening of several short plays...Four In A Garden, I think. By the time it opened, it only had 2 or 3 short plays, not four. Well, the show was lousy and, despite having the two of them, closed pretty quickly. There was one hilarious thing in the show that I still remember 50 years later: the hilarious way the character Carol played in one of the plays pronounced the state, Alaska, sort of Elezzzzzzzzzka. I laughed out loud every time she said it.
My other personal favorite was her rendition of So Long, Dearie. She totally owned the stage and you could see that she was loving every second of it.
I have just returned home after seeing Betty Buckley's first appearance in "Hello, Dolly!" here in San Diego. Prior to the curtain going up, an announcement was made that the performance would be dedicated to the memory of Carol Channing, who had passed away this morning. Much of the announcement had to be repeated because of the loud applause when Carol's name was first mentioned.
At the end of the show, Betty paid a truly lovely and heartfelt tribute not only to Carol, but to all the many ladies who had played "Dolly Levi" prior to Betty herself taking on the role. She said that in her dressing room here, there is a photo on the wall of Carol taken when she played "Dolly" in this same Civic Center Theatre some years ago. Again, much sustained applause. I very much felt the presence of all those ladies tonight, but especially that of Carol. A very emotional and moving, but not sad, evening.
I hope some of our NYC members are available to record the dimming of the lights tonight. If anyone finds videos of it later on YouTube please post them. :)
This is a fun interview Carol did with local TV when she brought "Dolly" to San Diego in 1995. I will be thinking of her, as I'm sure others will as well, when I see Betty's "Dolly" again this weekend.
This is sad news, I had hoped for years wed get one more Carol Channing stage performance. During the late 90s early 2000s when Chita Rivera, Bea Arthur, Barbara Cook, Dame Edna, and of course Elaine Stritch had one person shows (or close to It) on Brodway that Carol might do the same. Anyway she was an incredible performer and tireless ambassador for Broadway and Theatre is general. Rest In Peace funny lady!
You were one Blonde this Gentleman Prefers Let’s Face It!... I’m glad I got to Lend An Ear... in this Wonderful Town you’re the ultimate Show Girl! Truly one of the great Broadway Legends!
BWW has posted the video of Betty Buckley's beautiful tribute to Carol Channing at the opening of "Dolly" here in San Diego three nights ago. I had mentioned Betty's lovely words in my comments above. I see "Dolly" three more times before she leaves town. Through the years, Dolly and Carol and Betty have brought something wonderful to my life, and I thank them for that.
It was with surprise and grief that on the afternoon of 15 January I discovered of the passing of Ms Carol Channing. She had for many years gifted me with immense joy, optimism and carefree laughter; her God-given talent and drive; her deep respect for an audience. It is hard to believe that a person who had so much life, who was greater than life, can pass away. Ms Channing not only was an extraordinary entertainer whose career spanned seven decades, but also an extraordinary human being, whose generosity and warmth touched so many people. I had been planning to write to her for her upcoming birthday - her 98th! - at the end of the month, but did not get a chance to in the end. So it is with this small tribute that I thank Ms Channing: a montage of the song which embodied her spirit, her radiance and joy. Thank you, Ms Carol Channing. You will never go away.