Continuing our Black History Month Dreamcast Series for 2021, BroadwayBox is shining a spotlight on the immensely talented African American artists working in musical theatre by reimagining four more revivals in the tradition of Pearl Bailey's Hello, Dolly!
In November 1967, producer David Merrick opened an all-black production of Jerry Herman’s Hello, Dolly! starring Pearl Bailey as Dolly and Cab Calloway as Horace. The musical received rave reviews and Pearl Bailey was awarded a special Tony Award for her performance as Dolly—they even released a cast recording with the new company.
In most big revivals on Broadway, potentially one principal character is played by a black actor, but these dream revivals feature casts of black Tony Award winners, nominees, and breakout stars.
Rounding out our dreamcast series for this year, we chose the rama-lama-lama rocking rock 'n roll musical Grease.
Danny: Jelani Alladin
The coolest guy at Rydell. We can easily see his irresistible, suave personality walking through the halls of Rydell High.
Sandy: Hailey Kilgore
Look at her, she's our Sandra Dee! Hailey would be so fabulous as Sandy and we can so clearly imagine her soaring on the leading lady's ballads.
Kenickie: Ephraim Sykes
Let's all picture Ephraim's phenomenal dance talents on "Greased Lightnin'" and during "Born To Hand Jive."
Rizzo: Ariana DeBose
Let's add this other iconic Broadway leading lady role to Ariana's growing resume! She can be a dazzlingly confident yet vulnerable Rizzo.
Sonny: Darius Barnes
Have you seen Darius dance? Check out the incredible fellow wearing green in this clip. Darius is so remarkable and would be an awesome Burger Palace Boy (that's right, the musical is pre T-Birds!)
Marty: Jai'Len Josey
Honestly, what can't Jai'Len sing?! Marty gets to sing "Freddy, My Love" which Jai'Len would elevate to an entirely new, fantastic level.
Roger: Noah J. Ricketts
Noah is such a sweet and sincere performer. He would be wonderful opposite Jan in the comic number "Mooning."
Jan: Salome Smith
That VOICE. The Little Shop of Horrors's Crystal would shine as this Pink Lady crushing for her beau Roger.
Doody: Ahmad Simmons
"Those Magic Changes" is a rock star moment and who better to choose in this dreamcast than Ahmad who is a true triple threat with an unbelievable voice.
Frenchy: Shanice Williams
Shanice's extraordinary performance in The Wiz Live! was absolutely unforgettable. We would love to see Shanice's take on the quirky and lovable "Beauty School Dropout" Frenchy
Patty Simcox: Zurin Villanueva
Another true triple threat, Zurin would be a cheery Patty Simcox with no doubt dance moves audiences will be wowed by by the rising star.
Eugene Florczyk: DeMarius Copes
The Newsies and Hamilton vet most recently covered Damian in Mean Girls and we think DeMarius would be so much fun as Eugene as he has played such a variety of characters.
Teen Angel: Mykal Kilgore
What else can we say. Mykal could absolutely stop the second act with the legendary Grease number "Beauty School Dropout." Following the first revival's Teen Angel Billy Porter, how we would love to hear Mykal's take.
Vince Fontaine: Jelani Remy
Debonair, charming, Jelani would be a dashing Vince Fontaine. This cast would be full of triple threats and my gosh is Jelani one of them!
Miss Lynch: Montego Glover
After taking on more dramatic roles in The Color Purple, Les Misérables and Memphis, we would love to see Montego take on this comic role as she did in the recent musical comedy It Shoulda Been You.
Cha-Cha Di Gregorio: Taeler Cyrus
In the film, Cha-Cha is the best dancer at St. Bernadette's. On Broadway in this dreamcast revival, we would absolutely choose Hello Dolly's Taeler to wow this dream revival in "Born to Hand Jive."
