Ginger Rogers "HELLO DOLLY" Gower Champion / Jerry Herman 1965 Press Photo

Description

This is a rare press photograph of GINGER ROGERS rehearsing with GOWER CHAMPION as she prepares to take over the leading role of "
Mrs. Dolly Gallagher Levi" in the
Original Broadway production of the JERRY HERMAN and MICHAEL STEWART musical comedy hit "HELLO, DOLLY!" beginning August 9th, 1965 at the St. James Theatre in New York City. (The show opened January 16th, 1964 and ran for 2844 performances.) ..... During the exceptionally long Broadway run, 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 (1970). Several other prominent actresses took the show on the road including MARY MARTIN, DOROTHY LAMOUR, EVE ARDEN and YVONNE DE CARLO ..... The musical starred GINGER ROGERS as "Mrs. Dolly Gallagher Levi" and featured DAVID BURNS, WILL MACKENZIE, PATTE FINLEY, SONDRA LEE, JOHN MINEO, ALICE PLAYTEN, MARY JO CATLETT, DAN MERRIMAN, RICHARD HERMANY and GORDON CONNELL ..... CREDITS: Music and Lyrics by JERRY HERMAN ("Milk and Honey", "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: This glossy photo measures 9 1/8" X 7" inches and includes a caption strip on the backside (second scanned image) ..... CONDITION: With the exception of minor creasing in the margins and light edge wear, this rare photograph 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 sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard.