Betty Buckley: Hello, Dolly! National Tour is a “Gift”

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Betty Buckley: Hello, Dolly! National Tour is a “Gift”
Sep 20, 2018

Broadway legend Betty Buckley says she’s “so excited” to be a part of the first national tour of Hello, Dolly!

Buckley told Michael Riedel and Christine Nagy on “In the Wings” that it’s a “gift” to be able to take this show on the road.

“It’s a beautiful production and our cast is absolutely glorious,” Buckley said.

Buckley stars as Dolly Gallagher Levi.  She admits she had to think about whether to take the role, because much of her adult life has been in dramatic performances.

“I was really surprised when they called and asked me to do this because it wasn’t on my wish list to play the role,” Buckley said.  “I saw the show a year ago right before the Tony’s with Bette Midler and I was so enchanted by her performance – I thought was just divine – and the whole production I thought was one of the most brilliant pieces of musical theater that I’ve ever seen.”

Lewis J. Stadlen plays Horace Vandergelder and the show is led by four-time Tony Award-winning director Jerry Zaks.  Buckley said she met with both before taking the role and they were convinced she would do well.

“Working with Jerry and Lewis Stadlen has been an incredible gift of going to comedy school.  I’m enjoying it so much.  They know everything,” Buckley said.

Performances begin September 30th in the Connor Palace at Cleveland’s Playhouse Square in preparation for opening night on October 5th.  There will also be stops in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Boston and more.

Hello, Dolly! opened on Broadway on April 20th, 2017.  It ended its Broadway run on August 25th, 2018.