Carol Channing

Carol Channing (1921–2019) was an American actress and singer known for originating the title role in Broadway’s Hello, Dolly! and playing Lorelei Lee in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

Hello, Dolly!: A 1964 Broadway musical by Jerry Herman and Michael Stewart about matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi. Channing originated its title role and became identified with the musical.
Jerry Herman: An American composer and lyricist whose Broadway musicals include Hello, Dolly! and Mame. His songs and title role gave Channing one of her defining stage collaborations.
Broadway theatre: Professional theatrical productions presented in the 41 designated Broadway theatres in Manhattan. Channing’s best-known roles became landmarks in Broadway musical history.
Seattle: A major city in Washington State in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Channing was born in Seattle in 1921.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes: A musical comedy adapted from Anita Loos’s novel about showgirl Lorelei Lee and her friend Dorothy Shaw. Channing played Lorelei Lee in the musical’s 1949 Broadway production.
Michael Stewart: An American librettist who wrote the books for Broadway musicals including Hello, Dolly! and Bye Bye Birdie. He wrote the book for the musical in which Channing first played Dolly.
Musical theatre: A theatrical form combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance to tell a story. Her career joined comic acting and distinctive singing in major American musicals.
Bennington College: A private liberal arts college in Bennington, Vermont, founded in 1932. She studied at Bennington before beginning her professional acting career.
Lorelei Lee: A fictional American showgirl created by Anita Loos, best known as the heroine of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Channing’s portrayal of Lorelei was her breakthrough Broadway role.
Jule Styne: A British-born American composer known for Broadway scores including Gypsy and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. His score for Gentlemen Prefer Blondes accompanied Channing’s Broadway breakthrough.

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The MatchmakerRelated: Her performance helped make the character a signature role beyond Wilder’s play.