Still Going Strong!

On April 18th, 1986, in The Philadelphia Inquier, Bill Kent wrote, “And, Lainie Kazan, who made her Broadway debut as Barbra Streisand’s understudy in “Funny Girl,” is still easing into what should turn into one of the best roles of her career.” He was talking about Lainie Kazan in Hello, Dolly! at The Claridge in Atlantic City.

Lainie Kazan had already conquered every area of show business when her agent called her up in 1986 with the opportunity to conquer Atlantic City and Yonkers, New York’s most famous citizen, Horace Vandergelder.

She would be headlining at the Claridge Casino.

She seized the opportunity.

She was there for six weeks and she told me it was a “great, great time.”

She said she had nothing but “delicious” memories especially playing oppositeJack Ritschel as Horace Vandergelder. Ritschel has since passed away.

Long after the show closed, he was very supportive of Lainie and went to see her all the time. Lainie said he was a delightful man. She thinks there was a love and caring for “Lainie” that translated well to his on stage persona. Very warm, sincere, and good-natured that made him play the role in a very interesting way.

He wasn’t after anything but Dolly/Lainie. Lainie loved doing the show, especially Before The Parade Passes By. That moment and the title song were so well received that she became very passionate about them. Over the years, Lainie, has seen a few actresses play the role.

Carol Channing’s and Pearl Bailey’s productions stand out as vividly as if it were yesterday. Lainie says Carol was BORN to play Dolly. Pearl was brilliant.

And, of course, the movie with Barbra.

Lainie feels that Barbra was too young to play the part.

She also feels that SHE was too young to play Dolly when she did so in 1986.

She feels Dolly should be older and wiser. She is a wheeler and a dealer.

Lainie would love to have the opportunity to play Dolly again. In fact, she was just asked to play Dolly at the Northshore Music Theater in Beverly, Massachusetts opposite Gary Beach. She, unfortunately, was unable to do it due to other commitments.

This was after Lorna Luft injured her back and also had to decline appearing this summer.

Lainie loved being in Atlantic City. This was before it really “boomed”.

She rented a bike and biked every afternoon on the boardwalk to Margate. She had not been there in a while. She had a great time with the cast which she refers to as superb.

She loved playing Dolly. Loved starring in this production. A very healthy and peaceful time for her with no negativity.

Lainie’s thoughts on Jerry Herman are that he is brilliant.

The melodies are not very intricate or complicated.

“His music communicates to the masses. The songs that he has written are written with the singers in mind. They are star-driven and are easy to interpret.”

The one thing that Lainie learned doing Dolly was “how to be the star of a musical.”

She had never really had that opportunity before.

“Of course, I was the standby in Funny Girl but only went on for two nights. Actually, a day and a night. With Dolly, I got the opportunity to be the star and how to react to that. How to be with the cast and crew. I was a little older than when I had done Funny Girland was very grateful not only for the opportunity but to also play this role. I sang with my company. I danced with them. I partied with them.” he production was short lived.

One memory that Lainie wishes she could forget was the night she had an anxiety attack on stage. She felt she was going to faint and the anxiety of that took over. All she could think of was “These people are going to watch Lainie Kazan die on stage.” She went into the wings and asked for a Xanex.

It was a matinee show. She was singing Before The Parade Passes By. She walked off the stage asked for a Xanex and a glass of water, went back on stage after getting the water, and ended Act One! During intermission, she was given half of a Xanex and was able to finish the show! She has no idea why this feeling came over her except for the possibility of a lack of sleep.

I love Lainie very much and I hope that some wise producer who sees this will make bring this Dolly back to the stage where she belongs!