Who Wore It Better?

 Many talented actresses

have worn the Dolly Levi red plumes and sequined gown

and traveled down those stairs to the waiting arms and towels of...waiters.

Here, in not so sequential order, are some of 

Broadway's Dollys!

 First (and in my heart, the only) Carol Channing...

 The Pearl Bailey version...

helped along by Cab Calloway,

and Morgan Freeman (who played a waiter!)

 Phyllis Diller...

 Ginger Rodgers...

 Martha Raye...

 Ethel Merman,

who the part was actually written for.

She rejected it, Carol scooped it...

but Ethel came back eventually for a share.

 Ann Miller...

 Betty Grable...

 Dorothy Lamour...

 Eve Arden...

 Mary Martin...

 and Babs in the film version...

 And now of course, Bette Midler, in the revival.

 Above.."Dancing" with Kate Baldwin, Beanie Feldstein, and Taylor Trensch.

Below, Bette with HER Horace, David Hyde-Pierce.

And who will the next Dolly be?

I know! Nathan Lane in drag...perfect!