Ethel Merman "HELLO DOLLY" Jerry Herman / Russell Nype 1970 Broadway Playbill

Description

This is a rare May 1970 playbill from the landmark Original Broadway production of the JERRY HERMAN and MICHAEL STEWART musical comedy hit "HELLO, DOLLY!" at the St. James Theatre in New York City. (The production opened January 16th, 1964 and closed December 27th, 1970 after 2844 performances.) ..... During the exceptionally long run of the musical, nine different actresses played the role of "Mrs. Dolly
Gallagher
Levi", created by the legendary CAROL CHANNING. Her first replacement was GINGER ROGERS (1965) followed by MARTHA RAYE (1967), BETTY GRABLE (1967), BIBI OSTERWALD (1967), PEARL BAILEY (1967), THELMA CARPENTER (1969), PHYLLIS DILLER (1969) and finally ETHEL MERMAN (March 28th, 1970) who had been Jerry Herman's original choice to star in the show ..... This rare playbill is from the ETHEL MERMAN run when the cast included JACK GOODE, JUNE HELMERS, DANNY LOCKIN, GEORGIA ENGEL, PATRICIA COPE, DAVID GARY, JAMES BEARD, MARCIA LEWIS and RUSSELL NYPE ..... Side Note: The list of musical numbers includes "World, Take Me Back" and "Love, Look in My Window" which Jerry Herman wrote for Ethel Merman long before the show was cast. He added the songs to the score when Miss Merman agreed to star in the show ..... CREDITS: Music and Lyrics by JERRY HERMAN ("Milk and Honey", "Hello, Dolly!", "Mame", "Mack and Mabel", "La Cage Aux Folles" and "Dear World"); Book by MICHAEL STEWART based on the "Matchmaker" by THORNTON WILDER; Sets designed by OLIVER SMITH; Costumes designed by FREDDY WITTOP; Directed and Choreographed by GOWER CHAMPION; Produced by DAVID MERRICK ..... DETAILS: The 42 page playbill measures 6" X 9" inches and includes full production credits, cast list, synopsis of scenes, list of musical numbers and bios of each of the leading actors and members of the creative team but with the exception of the front cover, no cast photos ..... CONDITION: With the exception of minor edge wear, this playbill is in excellent condition and will make a wonderful addition to the collection of any musical theatre aficionado or historian. This item will be carefully packaged in a protective, carded sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard.