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This 1964 Tony Award-winner for Best Musical is based on Thornton Wilder’s 1955 play “The Matchmaker” and is the basis for the 1969 film directed by Gene Kelly and starring Barbra Streisand, Walter Matthau, and Michael Crawford.
Story:
Dolly, the famed New York City matchmaker, receives her toughest challenge yet when rich grump Horace seeks a suitable wife. She successfully matches many others in the city, including Horace’s niece and two clerks, but everything seems to go wrong when it comes to matching Horace. Dolly finally realizes that maybe she’d like to marry Horace herself, but only if her late husband will send her a sign - and if Horace himself will have her.
David Burns was actually the third choice to play Horace Vandergelder in the original production. David Merrick originally wanted Burl Ives, and then Art Carney was offered the part and turned it down.
Show & Tell: The New Book of Broadway Anecdotes by Ken Bloom
Best Musical
Best Composer and Lyricist
Best Actress in a Musical - Carol Channing
Best Scenic Design
Best Costume Design
Best Choreography
Best Direction (Musical)
Best Conductor and Musical Director
Best Producer (Musical)
Best Author (Musical)
Best Featured Actor in a Musical - Charles Nelson Reilly
Jack Crowder
Outstanding Performance - Ethel Merman
Best Actor in a Musical - Eddie Bracken
Florence Lacey
Best Revival of a Musical
Best Revival of a Musical
Best Leading Actress in a Musical - Bette Midler
Best Featured Actor in a Musical - Gavin Creel
Best Costume Design of a Musical - Santo Loquasto
Best Leading Actor in a Musical - David Hyde Pierce
Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Kate Baldwin
Best Scenic Design of a Musical - Santo Loquasto
Best Lighting Design of a Musical - Natasha Katz
Best Direction of a Musical - Jerry Zaks
Best Orchestrations - Larry Hochman
Outstanding Revival of a Musical
Outstanding Actress in a Musical - Bette Midler
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical - Gavin Creel
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical - Kate Baldwin
Outstanding Director of a Musical - Jerry Zaks
Outstanding Choreography - Warren Carlyle
Outstanding Set Design for a Musical - Santo Loquasto
Outstanding Costume Design for a Musical - Santo Loquasto
Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical - Scott Lehrer
Outstanding Wig and Hair - Campbell Young Associates
Outstanding Revival of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical
Distinguished Performance Award - David Hyde Pierce
Outstanding Revival of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway)
Outstanding Choreographer - Warren Carlyle
Outstanding Orchestrations - Larry Hochman
Outstanding Actress in a Musical - Bette Midler
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical - Gavin Creel
Outstanding Director of a Musical - Jerry Zaks
Outstanding Costume Design (Play or Musical) - Santo Loquasto
Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical) - Natasha Katz
Outstanding Actor in a Musical - David Hyde Pierce
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical - Kate Baldwin
Best Musical Theater Album
Charlie Stemp
Best Actress in a Musical - Imelda Staunton
Best Musical Revival
Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical - Andy Nyman