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Particularly appropriate for the beginning of spring, a song that's often mentioned but less often heard. "Come and Be My Butterfly" was in the original production of Hello Dolly, but not recorded on the cast album, and subsequently replaced by "The Polka Contest." This version comes from a concert presentation of Hello Dolly, including several numbers related to the show but that were cut and added, in June 1990, at the Drury Lane Theatre in London.

Following Dolly's arrival at the Harmonia Gardens restaurant, the music would begin as Vandergelder discovers Cornelius and Barnaby, with a chase ensuing while a chorus of girls in butterfly costumes sings a pastiche of the 1890s mania for butterflies (think of Loie Fuller). David Burns, as Vandergelder, would finally emerge from the tangle and scream "watch those feelers," bringing the house down.

It's a common misconception that the number was changed prior to the Broadway opening, but this isn't the case. The change seems to have occurred between June and July of 1965, when Carol Channing left and Ginger Rogers joined a year into the production. It is in fact possible the change was initially experimented with the first national touring company, which opened in April 1965, and was then inserted into the Broadway production. (It has also been argued it was first introduced in the 1965 March Australian production, and then inserted in the national company). As such, the original song was preserved in an audio recording made on July 31, 1964.

The lyrics are as follows:

Whenever inspiration fails me,
And the city life confuses,
I forget whatever ails me
Just by following the muses
To a shady glade where the elves abide,
Where the water sprites and the nymphs reside,
But, oh, the twilight of the evening is
My favourite time of all
That’s when the lovely wing-ed creatures
All de-lightly, spritely call.

They call… oh,
Won’t you come and be my butterfly
And fly away with me?
On a pink petunia pillow
We will dream away the day,
While the naughty pussy willow
And the shy cala-lily
Tickle us silly.
If you’ll only be my butterfly
I’ll be your honey bee
And we’ll merrily fly away, away
Yes, merrily fly with me.

Alice Faye–Hello, Dolly!, 1964 TV

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Hello, Dolly! Starring Ginger Rogers

MUNY production starring the incredible Beth Leavel

Marilia Pera, who starred in the 2013 Revival in Rio and São Paulo, Brazil

Joan Brickhill “Hello, Dolly”, South Africa, 1981

Lionel Hampton, Hello, Dolly!

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Theater Talk: Hello, Dolly! 50th Anniversary Taped: 01-17-14 Celebrating the 50th anniversary of “Hello, Dolly!,” the smash musical by Jerry Herman and Michael Stewart. Joining Theater Talk to share insider stories about the making of the show are Sondra Lee who played “Minnie Fay” in the original cast, Lee Roy Reams who played “Cornelius Hackl” (in the 1978 & 1995 Broadway revivals, directing the 1995 revival as well), plus legendary dancer Marge Champion who assisted her late then-husband director/choreographer Gower Champion while he created this hit. Theater Talk: Hello, Dolly! 50th Anniversary Taped: 01-17-14 Carole Cook Christmas 2012

Hello Dolly performance at the 2014 PPAS Gala

Jerry Herman on Hello, Dolly!

Charles Fornara: Conductor / Music Director “Hello, Dolly!”

Charles Fornara rehearses the orchestra for The Naples Players production of “Hello, Dolly!” in the Spring of 2012. The pit is comprised entirely of paid professional musicians, unlike TNP’s all volunteer casts of actors and crew. “Hello, Dolly!” Runs February 29 – March 31 at The Naples Players. www.facebook.com/naplesplayers www.twitter.com/naplesplayers ALL 5 WEEKS OF THE PRODUCTION ARE COMPLETELY SOLD OUT. ONE NIGHT ONLY! Cast sings “Hello, Dolly!”

Michael Childers’ ONE NIGHT ONLY cast sings “Hello, Dolly” to their special guest, Carol Channing. Courtesy of trickdogfilms.com (trick dog films makes no claim to any rights of publishing.) Frank Sinatra and The Count Basie Orchestra