By Randy Gener
NEW YORK CITY | Mayor Bill de Blasio officially declared today, Friday April 21, 2017 as “Dolly Day” in New York City.
To commemorate last night’s official opening of HELLO, DOLLY! starring Bette Midler on Broadway, the city’s proclamation was hand-delivered to the Sam S. Shubert Theatre before performance.
Proclamation reads:
Whereas: As a global hub of arts and culture, New York has a proud tradition of launching plays and musicals that have shaped the history of theater in the five boroughs and far beyond. When the romantic comedy “HELLO, DOLLY!” premiered on Broadway in 1964, it became an immediate smash hit that had a groundbreaking run of seven years. Since its debut, this influential musical has been made into a Hollywood film, presented in London’s West End, and produced by countless theater companies and school groups around the world. Written by Michael Stewart and Jerry Herman, and set in New York at the turn of the last century, this beloved show endures today as a timeless classic of American theater.
Whereas: Last night, the Shubert Theatre curtain rose on the much-anticipated first- ever Broadway revival of “Hello, Dolly!” starring the phenomenally talented Bette Midler as the indomitable Dolly Gallagher Levi. It takes a quintessential New York woman to play one, and with her powerful voice, deft comedic timing, and gregarious personality, the Divine Miss M. is ideally suited to embody the charmingly meddlesome matchmaker. In addition to thanking their lucky stars for the opportunity to see this award-winning actor, singer, and dancer perform on stage, New Yorkers owe a debt of gratitude to Midler for her efforts to revitalize abandoned parks, gardens and open spaces in all five boroughs through the New York Restoration Project, a non-profit organization that she founded in 1995.
Whereas: In addition to Bette Midler’s star turn as Dolly, this thrilling production’s accomplished cast includes David Hyde Pierce – another remarkable New Yorker – in the role of Horace Vandergelder, a crotchety widower and Dolly’s romantic interest. As the orchestra starts playing all of your old favorite songs from this wonderful musical, Chirlane and I join in applauding the show’s cast, musicians, crew, designers and producers for their efforts to enrich New York’s dynamic performing arts landscape, strengthen our city’s economic vibrancy, and captivate our diverse residents and visitors through the power of musical theater. On the occasion of its triumphant return, I am pleased to welcome “Hello, Dolly!” back where it belongs – on Broadway!
Now therefore, I, Bill De Blasio, Mayor of the City of New York, do hereby proclaim Friday, April 21, 2017 in the City of New York as: “Dolly Day”
Can’t wait to see Bette Midler up-close? Having difficulty meeting bills this week?
This HELLO, DOLLY! is the first new production of this classic musical (based on Thornton Wilder’s THE MATCHMAKER) to appear on Broadway since it opened more than 50 years ago.
Its producer Scott Rudin recently announced that the entire first row of orchestra seating for all announced performances of HELLO, DOLLY! has just gone on sale to the general public. These premium tickets are available online at HelloDollyOnBroadway.com, by phone via Telecharge.com at (212) 239-6200, or in person at the Shubert Theatre box office (225 West 44th Street).
