-
SCENE 1
Outside the HoHman House .Hotel, CORNELIUS, Bl\R~l\BY,l\IIKME
F:\ Y, l\IRS. l\IOLLOY, CO:\ClIl\J:\N, HORSE, in Si1lWll-ette, at
rise.
l\IRS. },10LLOY
(As lights come up).. Mr. Hackl. we've just loved looking at the
lights of
Fourteenth Street these past four hours. but now per-haps you'd
better call a hack or we won't get to theHarmonia Gardens on time.
Oh, there's one! Yoo hoo!
CORNELIUSOh we couldn't do that, Mrs. Mollov! It's not the
moneyor anything like that. it's just th
-
HELLO, DOLLY! HELLO, DOLLY!
CORNELIUS tvIRS. MOLLOY
EXERCISE YOUR \\'ILDEST \VHIMS TONIGHT\VE ARE OUT V/ITH
DIA1\10ND JIMS TONIGHT
MINNIE
Of course if you want to be really elegant. ...
J\IRS. J\10LLOY & MINNIE\Ve do!
ALL
COULD THEY BEMISLEADING US
CORNELIUS & BARNABY
SILVER SPOONS \\lERE USED FOR FEEDINGUS
\VE GOT ELEGANCEIF YOU AIN'T GOT ELEGANCE
ALL
YOU CAN NEVER EVER CARRY IT OFFMIDDLE CLASSDON'T SPEAK OF
ITSAVOIR FAIRE\VE REEK OF ITSOME \VERE BORN \VITH RAGS AND
PATCHES BUTWE USE DOLLAR BILLS FOR MATCHES AND
CORNELIUSYOLl walk.
CORNELI US & BARNABY
YES, NE\V YORKIT'S REALLY USBARNABY ANDCORNELIUS
MRS. J\10LLOY & MINNIEALL THE GUESTS OF MR. HACKL AREFEELIN'
GREAT AND LOOK SPECTACULAR
\VHAT A KNACKTHERE IS TO THATACTING LIKE A BORN ARISTOCRAT\VE
GOT ELEGANCEIF YOU AIN'T GOT ELEGANCEYOU CAN NEVER EVER CARRY IT
OFF
MINNIE
CORNELIUS
VANDERBILTCO\VTO\VS TO US
BARNABY
J.P. MORGAN SCRl\PES AND BOWS TO USALL
WE'VE GOT ELEGANCEWE \VERE BORN WITH ELEGANCE
ALL \\THO ;\RE\VELL-BRED AGREEMINNIE F,-\YHAS PEDIGREE
72 I 73
-
HELLO, DOLLY! HELLO, DOLLY!
CORNELIUS
I-L\VE YOU NOTICED \VHEN I HOLD tvlY CUPTHE SAUCER NEVER
I\10VES
t\,1RS, I\10LLOY
Yes, I\.1r. Hackl?
CORNELIUS LtIii
MRS, I\10LLOY
A:\,D THE \V,\Y I KEEP I\IY PINKY UPINDUBITABLY PROVES
Mrs. Molloy, as we start inside, may I , ..
MRS, MOLLOY
Yes, Mr. Hackl?
ALL
THAT \VE GOT ELEGANCE\\'E GOT BUILT IN ELEGANCEAND \\,IT1-1
ELEGANCE ... ELEGANCE ...ELEGANCE ... ELEGANCE ... ELEGANCE\VE'LL
C\RRY IT OFF!
CORNELIUS
May I put my arm around your waist?
MRS. MOLLOY
(TIlEY exit, followed by HORSE doingsame step as Harmonia
Gardens scrimCUl1lC~ in. A moment, ;l1ld THEY re-enter,1I0W
exhausted)
\VE COT ELEGA?\CEIF YOU AIN'T GOT ELEG,\NCEYOU Cr\N NEVER EVER
CARRY IT OFF\VE GOT ELEGANCE ...
Ye5, 1\1r. Hackl. .. ' But I might as well warn you, acorset is
a corset.
(As THEY exit, AMBROSE and then ERl\IENCARDEstart on, lIE'S
still practicing his dance steps,SHE'S still \veeping)
ERMENGARDE
... But I don't want to be all the stage. I just want toget
married!
I\lRS. MOLLOY AMBROSE
CORNELIUS
Of course we are, Mrs. I\10110\'! ... Barnaby!Uh, 1\ Irs. Molloy
.
7-+
You heard Mrs. Levi! This is the only way to show youruncle we
mean business! Now can' you' weep a iittlefaster, you're throwing
me off step, ... Faster!That's it!
(As THEY exit, VANDERCELDER enters and meetsERNESTINA-the
heavy-set CJRL we first saw inAct I, Scene l-who has hurried on
dressed ill
Oh look Minnie, they're counting their money again!Isn't that
just like the rich? Well, gentlemen, aren't yougoing to escort us
in?
I 75
-
HELLO, DOLLY!
gaudy )'CllolV dress, bahy pink shoes, and sportinga huge white
boa. \'('hen SHE sees him SHE adoptsa seductive pose and bleats at
the top of herlungs. , . .)
ERNESTINA
S\VEET ROSIE O'GRADY!~IY S\\,EET LITTLE ROSE.
(\',-\:\DERCELDER looks at her, thcn ataudience, then takes her
arm and THEYexit Left into Harmonia Gardens aslights C011le up
slowly behind scrimand we find ourselves .... )
76
SCEN E 2
... In the Harmonia Gardens Resraurant. A grandstaircase Center,
two curtained-off private dining roomsLeft and Right. RUDOI.PII,
the Harmonia Gardens fairlyPrussian major-domo, is at Center OJ]
thc staircase bark-ing orders. His staff of WAlTERS at
attention,
RUDOLPH
U nd it is my order, as headwaiter of the HarmoniaGardens, und
your supreme commander, that tonightof all nights, our usual
lightnillg service will be twice aslightning as ever, or else!
(lIE blows \\'histle, MOSIC up and W.-\ITERSbegin rapid-fire
sequence of precision crosseswith rravs, napkins, etc. Suddenly
~IUSIC cutsoff, ALL freeze, as curtains opcn sharplv ondining room
Rigllt and CORNELIUS, ~IRS.MOLLOY, MINNIE FAY, and BARNABY start in
...RUDOLPH, sharply)
trust you are finding this table satisfactory, sir. Theprivate
dining rooms cost a bit more but they do affordthe best view of the
entertainment.
BARNABY
(\\'ho's been counting money through this)One dollar, Cornelius.
That's all that's left.
CORNELIUS
Are you sure? Count it again!
I 77
-
HELLO, DOLLY! HELLO, DOLLY!
MRS. l'vIOLLOY VANDERGELDERPrepare yourself for a big night,
Minnie. We're out withtwo of New York's best-known sports!
Chicken! Chickens arc dear!
RUDOLPHBARNABY
Und paste rnaisson, sonp de jour, uud pommcs souffles!I did make
a mistake, Cornelius. It's only ninety cents.I'll count it once
more. VANDERGELDER
CORNELIUS Whv didn't YOU tell me this was an oriental
establish-ment, we'll t~lke two bowls of rice, now get out!
(And VANDERCELDER hastily leaps tor thecurtain and ~"l1lks it
shut as l\[tJSIC up and moreW,\ITERS zip back aIlCI forth with
trays, icebuckets, etc. and curtains open 011 diningroom Right)
No, don't! We can't afford it!
(And COR=-'ELIUS pulls curtain 011 dining roomHight shut as
RUDOLPH blows whistle. l\IUSICup and SE\'ERAL W,\ITERS bearing
travs, skewers,etc. zip hack and forth. Through this RUDOLPHhas
crossed stagc and emerges trom Left diniJlgruom as curtain) opcn
dining room Left,rC\'caJing \'.\~DE]{CEI.DER and ER=-'ESTINA whois
busil~' rcpairillg her already ample make-up )
T\IINNIE FAY
... I'm sorrv, Mrs. Mollov, but I couldn't order anythingat
these prices, I really couldn't!
RUDOLPH
I hope this table will be large enough, Mr. Vander-gelcler. You
see Mrs. Levi told me nothing about yourbringing \,our ... \om
....
CORNELIUS
VANDERGELDER
Great grindstones! What a sensible girl! Waiter, bringus four
glasses of beer, S0111echeese, and a loaf of yester-day's
bread.
:\f:; personal physician!
(To ERXESTIN.\.)
... That's cnough rouge, Doctor!
MRS. T\IOLLOY
Yesterday's bread! 011 Cornelius, now J know how youkeep half of
New York in stitches all the time!... Minnie, have you eyer eaten
pheasant?
RUDOLPH CORNELIUS & BARNABYBut l\ Irs. Levi onlv ordered a
chicken for two! Pheasant!
7~ II I 79
-
HELLO, DOLLY!
(CORNELIUS sbms curtain shut, WAITERcomes down stairs carrying
champagne bottle.As curtail! opens Left dining room, HE trips,cork
shoots out of bott 1c and HE lies prostrateill front of
VA;-.iDERGELDER)
ERNESTINA... Say, let's order something to hold us 'til the
ricecomes! Waiter, would you bring a roast suckling pig
withchestnut and oyster stuffing, cheese fondue, and
someladyfingers .... Now, what'll you have?
(Curtains close and WAITERS zip back andforth with trays, etc.
CRNESTINA sticks herhcad out) .
lIey, make that two suckling pigs! On rye toast!(.\ Iore WAITER
crosses and curtainsopen dining room Right)
:\fH.S. l\10LLOY
It's sweet of you to worry about our digestion, Cornelius,but
l'm sure the pheasants are fresh.
(To RUDOLPH)
. \\'e']] take four, please, and a nice red wine.
CORNELIUS
Wait a minute! No wine!
l\lRS. MOLLOY & MINNIENo wine?
CORNELIUSChampagne] It's once in a lifetime, Barnaby! Cham-
80
HELLO, DOI"LY!
pagne ... and Neapolitan ice crcarnl And Barnaby, gi\cthe
bandleadcr five cents and tell him to play the Wash-ington Post
March, we want music while we dinc!
(TWO W.'~ITERS cross ... ONE takes chickenfrom OTHER by stabbing
it with aSH.\SHLIK skewer. As THEY exit, curtainsopen Left dining
room)
ERNESTINASay, this is a cafe, isn't it? Let's dance!
VANDERGELDER
The Vandergelders do not dance, Miss Moncv.vVe're
Presbyterian.
ERNESTINA
All right, I'll dance myself. Give him two dollars forthe
bandlcadcr, will you? And tell him to play somethingrefined .... t\
hootchv-kootchvl. .
(v ;\NDERGELDER "anks her imide, curtainsshut, more wAlTER
crosses)
BARNi\.BY
All right, Cornelius, I'll send for the band, but promiseyou
won't order anything else!
(:t>lUSIC up then VANDERCELDERappears with purse in hand)
You wait here, Miss Money! I'll tell them to playa
nicewaltz!
(And VANDERGELDER and BARNABY trying tofind an available
\V.'\lTER become embroiled
I 81
-
HELLO, DOLLY!
in the melee which builds as WAITERS movetaster and faster until
entire clockwork ofcrossing WAITERS moves at lightning
precisionspeed. A freeze, and the ballet ends.TOII'arc1 end at
ballet, V:\NDERGELDFR andBARNABY exit. During applause THEY return
...\ .. \NDERGELDER, to a W.UTER)
Look, you, give this to the bandleader and tell him topla y a
waltz.
BARNABY
(To ANOTHER W.\ITER, O\erlapping endof VANDERGELDER)
. Here's five cents for the bandleader, would you tenhim to
playa ...
ERNESTINA
(Peering out from behind curtain)
Whoopeeecl
V:\:t-\DERCELDER
(Dropping purse and rushing back)
Miss Money:
CORNELIUS
And two more pheasants, please!
BARNABY
(Dropping wallet and rushing back)
Cornelius!
82
HELLO, DOLLY!
VANDERCELDER
(By this time W.\ITERS have picked up bothpurse and wallet and
started across stage)
1\1)' purse!
BARNABY
Mr wallet!
VANDERCELDER
(Runlling to wrong WAITER)
Here you, that's my purse!(And HE suuts back with BARNABY'S
wallet)
BARNABY
(Taking VANDERGELDER'S purse fromwrong W.-\.ITER)
Excuse me, but that's my wallet. I know it's mine be-cause
there's nothing in it but a dollar, three dimes, fivepennies and a
...
(Finds a roll at bills). Cornelius. Cornelius!
Did he say two pheasants? Three! Four! Pheasants forthe house!
And never mind if we don't see the whaleI'll buy one of my own.
(HE exits into tIle alcove, as RUDOLPHgoes to toot ot stairs.
STANLEY runs in)
STANLEY
Sir! Sir!
I 83
-
HELLO, DOLLY! HELLO, DOLI.Y!
RUDOLPH RUDOLPH
... What's this? Shouting? How many times have Itold you not to
shout, boy? This is the Harmonia Gar-dens Restaurant, not one of
those.
(As hubbub begins through this)
It's true, yah! She just stepped out of a white and
goldcarriage, pulled by six black horses with scarlet plumes
...
STANLEY COOKBut, sir, she's here! The lady! After ten years!
Ach, Rudolph! It's like old times again!
RUDOLPH STANLEYWhat? Are you sure, boy? (\Vho has re-entered
down the stairs)
STANLEYSir!
Like you told me, sir ... eight o'clock on the nose uppulls a
carriage and out steps a tall lady with red hairand ...
(HE can't be heard through the babble)Sir!
RUDOLPH
(A shout)Rudy!
(A sudden freeze of silence)
She's here!
(~nJSIC up as every eye goes to thehead of the stairs, the
portieresmove and ~1RS. LEVI steps through,red hair done up
magnificently011 top of her head, SHE descendsstairs as WAITERS,
etc. await herfirst words)
It's she! Mrs. Levi! She's back!
(His reserve forgotten, all excitement,as COOK rushes on itotu
Left. STANLEY goesup stairs and off)
1ST COOK
... Rudolph, is it true? I heard somebody laughingoutside the
kitchen window and it sounded like ...
RUDOLPH
It is! It's Dolly! ... Fritz! Tell the band! She just steppedout
of her carriage!
I\lRS. LEVI
2ND COOK
HELLO, HARRY\VELL, HELLO LOUIEIT'S SO NICE TO BE BACK HOME
\VHERE
r BELONGRudolph, it's true, no?
84 I I 85
-
HELLO, DOLLY! HELLO, DOLLY!
YOU'RE LOOKIN' S\\,ELL, l'dANNYI CAN TELL, DANNYYOU'RE STILL
GLO\VIN', YOU'RE STILL
CRO\VIN'YOU'RE STILL GOIN' STRONGI FEEL THE ROOt-.l S\VAYIN'FOR
THE BAND'S PLAYIN'Oi\E OF l\lY OLD FAVORITE SONGS FR01\l
\VA)' BACK 'WHENSO BRIDGE THAT GAP, FELLASFIND 1\1E AN El\'!PTY
LAP, FELLt\SDOLL Y'LL NEVER GO A\VAY AGAIN
MEN
MENPROt-.lISE YOU'LL NEVER CO A \V AY AGAIN
MRS. LEVII \VENT A\VAY FROM THE LIGHTS OF
FOURTEENTH STREETAND INTO MY PERSONAL HAZEBUT NO'V THAT I'M BACK
IN THE LIGHTS
OF FOURTEENTH STREETTOMORRO\V \V1LL BE BRIGHTER THAN THE
GOOD OLD DAYS
MENTHOSE GOOD OLD DAYS
HELLO, DOLLY\\,ELL HELLO, DOLLYIT'S SO NICE TO HAVE YOU BACK
WHERE
YOU BELONGYOU'RE LOOKING S\VELL, DOLLY\VE CAN TELL, DOLLYYOU'RE
STILL GLO\VIN', YOU'RE STILL
CRO\VIN'YOU'RE STILL GOIN' STRONG\VE FEEL TI-IE ROOM S\VAYIN'FOR
TI-IE BAND'S PLAYIN'ONE OF YOUR OLD FAVORITE SONGS FROt-.'l
\\' AY BACK \VHEN
1\[RS. LEVI
SO HERE'S ?vlY HAT, FELLASI'M STAYIN' \\,HERE 1'1\1AT,
FELLA5
ALL MENHELLO, \\/ELL HELLO DOLLY\VELL HELLO, HEY LOOK THERE'S
DOLLY
MRS. LEVI
GLAD TO SEE YOU HANK, LET'S THANKMY LUCKY STAR
:MENYOUR LUCKY STAR
MRS. LEVIYOU'RE LOOKIN' GREAT, STANLEYLOSE SOME \VEIGHT,
STANLEY?DOLL Y'S OVERJOYED AND OVER \VHELMED
AND OVER PAR
86 I I 87
-
HELLO, DOLLY!
II
J\'IEN
I HEAR THE ICE TI;-JKLESEE THE LICHTS T\VINKLEJ\1\'"D YOU STILL
GET GLANCES FR01\!I US
IIANDSOME MENSO ...
J\[RS. LEVI
GOLLY GEE, FELL~SFI1'\D 1\[E .\ VACANT KNEE, FELL\S
!\.fEN
DOLL y'LL NEVER GO A\VAY AGAIN(.\ DAKCE follmvs with 1\1RS. LEVI
and 1\1EN )
\:\'ELL, \\,ELL HELLO DOLLY\\,ELL HELLO, DOLLYITS SO NICE TO
HAVE YOU BACK \VHERE
YOU BELONGYOU'RE LOOKIN' S\\,ELL, DOLLY\\'E C\N TELL,
DOLLYYOU'RE STILL GLO\VIN', YOU'RE STILL
CRO\VIN'YOU'RE STILL GOIN' STRONGI HEAR TIlE ICE TINKLESEE THE
LIGHTS T\VINKLEAND YOU STILL GET GLANCES FROJ\'I US
HANDSOJ\1E MEN SO
J\IRS. LEVI
\VO\V \VO\V \VO\V, FELLAS
MEN
HEY, YEH!
88 I
HELLO, DOLLY!
l\,IRS.LEVI
LOOK AT THE OLD GIRL NO\V, FELLAS
MEN\VO\\1!DOLL y'LL NEVER GO AWAY AGAIN.
(After applausc there is btiei reprise on which 1\1ENexit. MRS.
LEVI gets ERNESTINA from dining roomLeft who exits doing same step
after last \\'AITEH)
ALLI HEAR THE ICE TINKLESEE THE LIGHT'S T\VINKLEAND YOU STILL
GET GLANCES FROIVl US
IlANDSOJ\[E MENSO....
(l\IUSIC continues)
COOKSDOLL y'LL NEVER GO AWAYDOLL y'LL NEVER GO AWAY-
(:\LL exit except xms. LEVI. A momcnt, rhcnV.-\'NDERGELDER
enters bumps into l\IRS. LEVI)
VANDERGELDER
Excuse me, girlie ... Dolly! Dolly Gallagher! What areyou doing
in that get-up? And you're a half hour late!And I demand an
explanation of ...
J\:IRS.LEVI
Ernestina!
I 89
-
HELLO, DOLLY!
VANDERGELDER
She wanted to do the hootchy kootchy!
III!
MRS. LEVI
Well, she always was artistic! Horace, I"111going to haveour
table moved down front. There's someone in thedance competition I
particularly want you to see.
(W.-\ITERS enter and set table and two chairsin rapid precision
form, then exit. RUDOLPHstands at attention)
. Now don't let's say another word about it I'm asshocked as
YOll are Lcan't-eat-a-thing-what-have-you-ordered?
VANDERGELDER
What you wanted ... a chicken! Now see here, Mrs.Levi, about
that hootchv kootchy girl ...
l\tlRS. LEVI
Did VOLl say a chicken, ob I don't think I could face achicken,
not a chicken, 1I0t today, not after what's hap-pened.
VANDERGELDER
Good! Then cancel the chicken!
l\IRS. LEVI
And bring a turkey!
( DOLLY parts curtains and peers into dining room)
HELLO, DOLLY!
VANDERGELDER
What are you doing now?
MRS. LEVI
Nothing. Just looking the place over. Getting acquaintedwith the
surroundings.
VANDERGELDER
That's the trouble with you, Dolly. Always wanting toknow
everything! Always putting your nose into otherpeople's affairs.
Anvbodv who married you would get asnervous as a cat.
f MRS. LEVIWhat? What's that you're saying?
VANDERGELDER
I said anybody who married you would ...
MRS. LEVI(Crossing to table, and sitting)
Horace Vandcrgelder, get that idea right out of yourhead this
minute. I'm surprised that you even mentionedsuch a thing.
Understand once and for all that I have nointention of marry
you!
VANDERCELDER
Ididn't mean that!MRS. LEVI
Well I certainly do hope not! Horace Vandergelder, yougo your
way, ..
-
HELLO, DOLLY!
III'
(SHE points Right witll one hand)
. . . And I'll go mine!
(A windup with other hand, then SHEpoints insame direction as
first hand)
I'm not some Irene Mollov whose head can be turnedby a few
chocolate covered 'peanuts ... unshelled! Whythe idea of you even
suggesting such a thing!
VANDERGELDER
Mrs. Levi, you misunderstood me!
rvIRS. LEVI
Well I certainly do hope not!(RUDOLPHand WAITERSenter with tood
and wine)However we won't discuss it any more, here's the
waiter with our food. I'll serve Mr. Vandergelder,Rudolph.
(SHE starts serving him)Here's some white meat for you, and
dumplings . . .lighter than air they are ... and some giblets, very
tenderand very good for you. No, as I said before, you go yourway
....
(SHEpoints with the spoons. SHEhas managed to geta bit oi tood
on second spoon and as SHE\vhips it forward .... )
... And I'll go mine.(It flies tllrough the air just missing
VANDERCELDER.RUDOLPHhas meanwhile poured his wine)
Now you start right in on the wine and you'll feel better
92 I
HELLO, DOLr,Y!
at once. However, since you brought the matter up,there's one
more thing I ought to say.
Vi-\NDERG ELDER
I didn't bring the matter up at all!
MRS. LEVI
(And SHE starts loading her own plate with tood)
One more thing I ought to say before we forget all aboutit. It's
true I'm a woman who likes to know everythingthat's going 011; who
likes to manage things; but Iwouldn't like to manage anything as
out of control asyour household.
VANDERGELDER
It's not out of control!
MRS. LEVI
Very well, let's not sav another word about it. Have somebeets,
Horace, they're good.
VANDERGELDER
I don't like beets!
l\!RS. LEVI
(Sen'ino beats 31l\WJ)!), b ,
That's good! No, Horace, a complaining, quarrelsome,friendless
soul like you is no sort of companion for me.You salt your beets
....
(She salts her own)
I 93
-
HELLO, DOLLY!
And I'll salt mine ....
(SHE salts his. RUDOLPH exits)
VANDERGELDER
Will you stop saying that!
II
MRS. LEVI
I won't say another word.
VANDERGELDER
Good!
MRS. LEVI~
Except this.
VANDERGELDER
I won't listen!
MRS. LEVI
Then have some more beets. They're good.
VANDERGELDER
I don't like beets! I hate beets!
MRS. LEVI
(Piling them on his plate)
That's nice. Now dig right in. Yes, the pity of it is youcould
be a perfectly charming, witty, amiable man if youwanted to.
94 I
HELLO, DOLLY!
VANDERGELDER
(Rises)
I don't want to be charming!
MRS. LEVI
But you are. Look at you now. You can't hide it. Nowsit down,
Horace, and let's talk of something else. Butbefore we change the
subject there's one more thing I amgoing to say.
VANDERGELDER
I don't want to hear it! And you're wasting your time,Dolly
Levi! I won't ask you to marry me!
MRS. LEVI
I suppose that means you want me to ask you. Well I'msorry,
Horace, I'm turning you down.
VANDERGELDER
How can you turn me down when I haven't asked youanything?
MRS. LEVI
It's no use arguing. I've made up your mind. Here, letme cut
your wings ....
(SHE cuts turkey 011 his plate)
VANDERGELDER
I've got a headache, I'm going back to my hotel.
;"" .MRS. LEVI\ ~ > ,
You can't go now. The dance competition's about tobegin.
I 95
-
HELLO, DOLLY! HELLO, DOLLY!
VANDERCELDER VANDERCELDER
I I(Taking out BARNABY'Swallet)
Here's the money to pay for the dinner. Here's. twentydollars
... Wait a minute! There's nothing in here buta dollar, three
dimes, five pennies and a button! Thisisn't my purse! I've lost my
purse!
Wait a minute! That man! That dancer!
MRS. LEVI
CORNELIUS
Isn't he wonderful! With talent like that he's sure towin the
solid brass Clip!
(And the Dance Competition begins. It is a polkaas l\fRS.LEVI
indicated and through this beginningsection VARIOUSCOUPLES, EACH
tagged with a num-ber, start onto the floor. Scmewheie through
thisCORNELIUSenters)
(Peering out of alcove)
Barnaby, that purse you found ....
~/IRS. LEVI CORNELIUS
BARNABY
Come along, Mrs. Molloy. It's been a perfectly wonder-ful
evennig but I'm afraid we're going to have to cut it abit
short.
Impossible! I can't imagine you without your purse!
It's Vandergclder'sl Cornelius, we better get out of here! MRS.
~10LLOY
VANDERCELDER (Hearing the music)
Minnie, a polka! Cornelius, I simply must have onedance!What am
I going to do? I've never been here before, they
don't know me! Stop eating that turkey! I can't pay forit!
BARNABY
(Through following, l\lORE and MORE COUPLES,including
Al\IBROSEand ERl\lENCARDE,start on)
But Vandergelder is right there! We've got to go!
MRS. MOLLOY1,lRS. LEVI
We will go! ... But we'll dance our way out!
(And the BOYSare soon part of dance. At climax ofpolka, just as
RUDOLPH is about to award the brasscup to ERl\lENCARDEand
At--lBROSE,VANDERGELDERsuddenly spies CORNELIUS)
Horace, it's the latest thing ... a polka! And there's onedancer
I particular want YOLI to see. Rudolph, move ourtable right down
front so Mr. Vandergelder can betterobserve his graceful
movements.
96 I I 97
-
HELLO, DOLLY!
VANDERGELDERCornelius IIackl!
tCORNELIUS SCENE 3
Mr. Vandergclder ...
BARNABY
( ... In the Courtroom. JUDGE'S Bench, PRISONERS'Docket. Present
arc T\VO POI.ICEl\IEN. COURT CLERK,and JUDGE at Bench. Squeezed in
Docket arc VA\'-DERGELDER, CORNELIUS, ]\IRS. l\IOl.LOY, BARNABY,
l\IIN-
NIE, RUDOLPH, AMBROSE, ER]l.IENGARDE and .\.SSORTEDDANCERS,
WAITERS, etc. Through all of this l\1RS. LEVIremains at her table
and cats and cats and eats. Andcats. )
V.\NDERGELDERBarnaby Tucker!
:Mr. Vandergclder ...
(A "Waaah!" from somewhcre behind)
V"\NDERGELDERJUDGE
... Quiet! Quiet! That's better! Now, you're all chargedwith
disturhing the peace, assault and battery, inciting toriot, and
several other equally serious violations of thelaw of this city! Is
there anyone here to speak in yourbehalf? I say, is there anyone
here to speak in yourbehalf?
Ermengardc!
(And general melee begins as V:I.NDERGELDERsnatches brass cup
from ER1\L\NG:\RDF., throws it toground, confusion, whistles,
arrna] of POLICE,MUSIC throughout. \\1e hear RUDOLPH
shouting,"Officer, arrest that mall I" etc. Through thisset begins
to change, Docket and JUDGE'S Bcncharc hrollght on, Courtroom Drop
starts in andwe find ourselves .... )
(Silence. Then J\1RS. LEVI, who l]as becn eatingthrough entire
scene, crosses to Bench and handsCOURT CLERK her card. HE hands it
to JUDGE)
Mrs. Dolly Levi ... Counselor at Law!
J\1RS. LEVI
Your Honor ... The defense rests!
(Buzz from Docket)
... In fact the defense does 1110rethan just rest, it
abdi-cates! In favor of the only real culprit, Horace Vander-gelder
of Yonkers, New York!
98 I 99
-
HELLO, DOLLY! HELLO" DOLLY!
VANDERGELDER V ANDER GELDERDolly! I'll do it again!
MRS. LEVI
The one man responsible for these grievous charges ofcruelty to
a poor unfortunate minor!
(ERJ\1ENGARDEwails)
... Would you mind repeating that, dear.
(SHE does it again)CORNELIUS
CORNELIUS
You've done it again too. But even if YOll hadn't I'd stillsay
what I have to say. ... I don't know much about dis-turbing the
peace or inciting to riot, but I do know thatwhat happened to me
today, which is the most importantthing that can happen to a man,
might never have hap-pened if I'd obeyed your orders and stayed in
Yonkers,New York! Your Honor, I am talking about none otherthan
.... Love!Begging your pardon, Mrs. Levi, but if it please the
courtI have something to say.
MRS. LEVI VANDERGELDER
What? You're trying to tell me that after thirty-threeyears
you've fallen in love because you take one eveningoff?
The very person to sum up for the defense. Go rightahead, ~1r.
Hackl, and I'm certain you'll find no moreimpartial and unbiased
listener than the man I see beforeme on that bench!
. Goodnight, Your Honor, CORNELIUS
Oh no, Mr. Vandergelder. I didn't fall in love with Mrs.Irene
Molloy of this city in just an evening. An hour!Even that's too
long! What's less than a minute!
JUDGE
Goodnight, cousin Dolly!
(And l\IRS. LEVI cautions him to"ShhIJIJ!" as SHE hastily
exits)
MINNIE FAY
A second!
VANDERGELDERCORNELIUS
Cornelius Hackl, if you dare to testify against me, you'llbe
discharged! Less than that!
CORNELIUS MINNIE FAY
You've already done that, Mr. Vandergelder. A ... a moment!
100 I I 101
-
HELLO, DOLLY!
COR0.'ELIUS
That's it!
(As l\IUSIC comes up, to CLERK)... I'll go slowly so you can get
it all down.IT ONLY TAKES A ~-IO~1ENTFOR YOUR EYES TO ~1EET AND
THENYOUR HEART KNO\\'S IN A ~10'\IENTYOU vVILL r\EVER BE ALONE
AGAINI HELD HER FOR AN INSTANTBUT ~IY AR~IS FELT SURE AND STRONGIT
ONLY TAKES A ~10MENTTO BE LOVED A \VHOLE LIFE LONG ...
(l\IUSIC continues as CORNELIUS speaks with quietnaive sincerity
first to the JUDGE and then graduallyto the entire audience)
... Isn't the world full of wonderful things? There I satcooped
up in Yonkers for years and years and all the timewonderful people
like Mrs. Molloy were walking aroundin New York and I didn't know
them at all! I don't knowwhether you can all see from where you're
sitting, , , wellfor instance the way her eve and forehead and
cheekcome together up here, Cal{ you? I tell you right now afine
woman is the greatest work of God on Earth! Youcan talk all you
like about Niagara Falls and the Pyramidsthey aren't in it at all.
Of course I've seen women beforebut today I talked to one equal to
equal, and they're sodifferent from men! And they're awfully
mvstcrious, too,I bet YOU could know a woman a huncfred 'years
withoutever being really sure whether she liked vou or not. To-day
I've lost so manv things, Mv job, my future, e\'cry-thing that
people think is important, but I don't care!Even if I 118\'e to dig
ditches for the rcst of my life, 1'11be a ditch digger who once had
a wonderful day,
102 I
HELLO, DOLLY!
CLERK
I missed a few words back there, Mr. Hackl. Right after'it only'
, , ,
ALL IN DOCKET(A bellow at CLERK)
, , , TAKES A ~IOl\IENT!BUT HIS ARl\fS FELT SURE AK'D STRONGIT
O;'JLY TAKES A l\10l\-lENT
MRS, MOLLOY
HE HELD l\IE FOR AN INSTANTBUT I-IlS ARl\IS FELT SAFE AND
STRONGIT ONLY TAKES A 1\rOl\IENTTO BE LOVED A \\'HOLE LIFE
L00.'"G
CORi"ELIUSAl\'D THAT IS ALLTHAT LOVE'S ABOUT
l\IRS, l\10LLOY
AJ\'D \VE'LL RECALL \VHEN TI~IE RUI\'S OUT
BOTIITHAT IT ONLY TOOK A l\IO)'IENTTO BE LOVED A \\'IIOLE LIFE
LONG!
JUDGE(In tears)
, Dismissed, dismissed! All dismissed! All exceptHorace
Vanc1ergeldcr of Yonkers, New York! You're all
I 103
-
HELLO, DOLLY!
dismissed! You're frce, my children! And bless you! Go,go
....
(lIE exits. {ol1O\\'illg E\'ERYO:-\E ELSE,
le~l\'ingY.\:-\DERCELDER alone in Docket. POLICHUNenters \\'jth
:'I.IRS. LE\,I)
POLICE:\IAN
You can see the prisoner now, Mrs. LC\'i!
i\IRS. LEVI
\\'ell, Horace, there's your life. Without niece, withoutclerks,
without bride and without your purse. It lookslike there's only one
more thing to say ...
VA;\,DERGELDER
If it's to ask me to marry you, Dolly Gallagher, never!l\' ot
ill a million years! U nder no circumstances will Iever marry
you!
i\lRS. LEVI
Oh that wasn't it at all, Horace, all I wanted to say to
you\\'as ....
(SHE sings)
GOODBYE!
VANDERGELDER
\Vhat?
l\IRS. LEVI
GOODBYE!
10-+
HELLO, DOLLY!
VANDERGELDER
Now hold on, Dolly ...
i\IRS. LEVI
It's too late, Horace. I've failed. And when a womanfails,
there's nothing else she can say....
VANDERGELDER
Wait!
MRS. LEVI
But ...
VANDERGELDER
Hey!
MRS. LEVI
GOODBYE, GOODBYE, GOODBYEGOODBYE, GOODBYE, GOODBYEDON'T TRY TO
STOP i\lE HORACE PLEASE ...WAVE YOUR LITTLE HAND AND \VHISPERSO
LONG DEARIEYOU AIN'T GONKA SEE l\IE ANYl\IOREBUT \\'HEN YOU
DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE
IS DREARYDON'T YOU COl\1E A KNOCKIN' AT i\lY DOORFOR I'LL BE ALL
DOLLED UPAND SINGIN' THAT SONGTHAT SAYS YOU DOG, I TOLD YOU SOSO
\VAVE YOUR LITTLE HAr\D A;\'D '''I-IISPER
I 105
-
HELLO, DOLLY!
SO LONG DEARIEDEARIE, SHOULD I!AVE SAID SO LONGSO LONG
AGOBECAUSE YOU'VE TREATED 1'.1 SO ROTTEN
AND ROUGHI'VE HAD ENOUGH OF FEELIN' LO\VSO \VAVE YOUR LITTLE
HAND AND \VHISPERSO LONG DEARIEDEARIE \VOULD I-IAVE SAID SO LONGSO
LONG AGO
(SHE takes his hat and cane. The RedDrop comes down in back of
her)
FOR I CAN HEAR TIIAT CHOO CHOO CALLIN'1'.'lE ON
TO A FANCY NE\\, ADDRESSYES, I CAN H;\R THAT CHOO CHOO
CALLIN'
1'.1E ONON BOARD THAT IIAPPINESS EXPRESSI'M GONNA LEARN TO DANCE
AND DRINK
AND S1'.10KE A CIGARETTE1'1'.1GUN AS FAR A\VA Y FROl\l YONKERS
AS A
GIRL CAN GET
(i\IUSICAL break)
And 011 those cold winter nights, Horace ....
(i\IUSICAL break)
You can snuggle up to your cash register.
(MUSIC\.L break)
It's a little lumpy but it rings!DON'T COl\1 A KNOCKIN'
106 I
HELLO, DOLLY!
I'LL BE ,'\LL DOLLED UPAND SINGIN' THAT SONGTHAT SAYS YOU DOG, I
TOLD YOU SOSO HORACE, YOU \\TILL FIND YOUR LIFE A
SAD OLD STORY\VHEN YOU SEE YOUR DOLLY SHUFFLE OFF
TO GLORYOH I SHOULD HAVE SAID SO LONG. , .
. , By the way, the wedding's eleven o'clock tomorrowmOfl1mg.SO
LONG AGO!
(Lights up, as FeecI Store comes clown into
position.VANDERGELDER is seated on chair)
VANDERGELDER
(To himself), And I wouldn't marry you, Dolly Levi, if you
were
the last woman on earth. Not if you asked me a milliontimes. I
didn't need YOLl before and I don't need younow. Dolly Levi, you go
your way .. , .
(HE points) .. And I'll go mine.
(And HE points in same direction.Realizing at last ... )
Dolly, ..(A shout as lIE bangs on trapdoor)
.. Dolly! !
CORNELIUS
You stamped, Mr. Vandergelder?
I 107
-
HELLO, DOLLY!
VANDERGELDER
What? Oh, SO it's you, is it, Mr. Hackl? Come crawlingback, have
you?
CORNELIUS
No. Mr. Vandergcldcr! I just stopped by for my onehundred and
forty-six dollars and thirty-five cents. Yousee, I've decided to go
into business and since the onlybusiness I know is hay and feed,
I'm opening my ownstore.
MRS. MOLLOY
(Entering)
And Cornelius has found the perfect location, Mr. Van-dergelder.
Right across the street from you.
VANDERGELDER
So you think you can compete with Vandergelder's, doyou? Well,
just you try!
BARNABY
(Entering)Ahem!
VANDERGELDERAha! Another one come crawling, is it? What do
youwant?
BARNABY
My back salary for the past four months ... Six dollarsand
twelve cents!
108 I
HELLO, DOLLY!
VANDERGELDER
You can't do this to me, any of you! I'll go to the courts!I'll
get lawyers! I'll ... I'll ...
~IRS. LEVI(Sweeping in)
Whv, Horace Vandergcld er, as I live and breathe, if vouaren't
handsome in that outfit! So few men nowadavshave the courage to
wear faun vellow and puce.
VANDER GELDERDolly Gallagher!
~IRS. LEVI
I know just what you're going to sav, Horace. you're
notsatisfied with Ernestina. Well, I have another girl forYOll, the
ideal wife, but don't let me interrupt you, youwere doing
something, what were you doing?
t-.IRS. MOLLOY
Getting Cornelius' money, Dolly, one hundred and forty-six
dollars ....
CORNELIUSAnd thirtv-five cents.
BARt\ABYPlus six dollars and twelve cents of mille!
ERt\IENGARDE
( Upstairs with A:\IBROSE)
And the money my I\IaI11111J left me ....
I 109
-
HELLO, DOLLY!
AIVIBROSE
Fifty-two dollars and forty-eight cents!
VANDERCELDER
Thirty-eight!
AMBROSE & ERIvlENGARDE
Forty-eight!
VANDERCELDER
. All right, all right! If it's the money you want, thesafe is
upstairs.
(THEY exit quarreling audibly over sums oi money)
i\lRS. LEVI
Monev, money, money, money, rnoncyl Mr. Vander-gelder's money.
It's like the sun we walk under ... it cankill or cure.
Vandergelder's never tired of saying thatmost people in the world
are fools, and in a way he'sright, isn't he? Himself, Irene,
Cornelius, mvself Yes,we're all fools and we're all in danger of
destroying theworld in our folly, but the surest way to keep us out
ofharm is to gi\'e us the four or five human pleasures thatare our
right in the world ... and that takes a littlemoncv. Now the
difference between a little nioncv andand no money at all is
enormous ... and can shatter theworld! And tile difference between
a little monev and anenormous amount of money is ycry slight, and
that canshatter the world too. It's all in how you use it. As
mylate husband, Ephraim Levi, used to say, moncy ... par-don the
expression .. is like manure. It's not worth athing unless it's
spread around encouraging young things
110 I
HELLO, DOLLY!
to grow! Anyhow, that's the opinion of the second
Mrs.Vandergelder! Which reminds me, Ephraim, I'm readyfor that
sign!
VANDERCELDER
(Coming downstairs as WORnL\~appears through door)
Well, don't Just stand there! That goes upstairs!
l\IRS. LEVI
Well, Horace, as I was saying, I've found you the idealwife.
VANDERGELDER
Dolly Gallagher, I don't want you to find me no idealwivesl If I
want an ideal wife, I'll find one of my own,and I've found her! And
it's you, damrnit! -
:t\IRS. LEVI
Why, Horace ...
VANDERGELDER
I know I've been a fool about Mrs. Molloy ,1I1d that otherwoman,
but Dolly, forgive me and marry' me'
MRS. LEVI
Horace ... stop right there!
VANDERGELDER
\Vhat do you mean?
I III
-
HELLO, DOLLY!
l\HZS.LEVI
You know as well as I do, Horace, that you're the firstcitizen
of Yonkers. And yom wife would have to be asomebody. Answer me, am
I a somebody?
VANDERGELDER
You are, wonderful woman!
MRS. LEVI(Crossing to caress cash register)
Oh, you're partial. No, Horace, it won't be enough foryou to
load your wife with money and jewels, to insistthat she be a
benefactress to half the town ... Bv theway, it's bad business
letting Cornelius open a store ~rightacross the street from you.
Better take him back and lethim be your partner.
VANDERGELDERPartner?
MRS. LEVIAnd Barnaby can have Cornelius' old job!
VANDERGELDER
Now see here, Dolly. , .
MRS. LEVIThat way we'll all be together so we can dance at
Ennen-garde's wedding!
VANDERGELDERThat docs it! You've gone too far, Dolly! I'll dance
at no
112 I
BELLO, DOLLY!
weddings! Besides, I don't know how and it would takeme weeks,
months, years to learn ....
(Reads card SITE extends to him)
... All right, I'll dance.
MRS. LEVI
1Horace! I never thought I'd hear YOl1 say a thing likethat!
(WORDIAN appears upstairs)
VANDERCELDER
That front room, idiot! Well, go on! What are you wait-ing
for?
l\1RS. LEVI
Horace Vandergclder, what is going on up there?
VANDERCELDER
Oh, nothing, r just thought I'd have that front roomdone over in
blue wallpaper.
MRS. LEVIHorace ...
VANDERCELDER
I know the old paper ain't worn out, yet, but that fclla'sjust
set up ill business and needs a good start YOLl see,Dolly, I've
always felt that mOllcy, pardon the expression,is like manure. It's
not worth a thing unless.
I 113
-
HELLO, DOLLY!
MRS. LEVI
(Looking out)Thank you, Ephraim!
VANDERGELDER
HELLO, DOLLY\\TELL, HELLO, DOLLYITS SO NICE TO HAVE YOU HERE
\\'HERE
YOU BELONG
(Takes hcr hand and leads her ccnter)I NEVER KNE\V, DOLLY,
\VITHOUT YOU,
DOLLYLIFE \VAS A\\'FULLY FLAT, AND l\IORE THAN'
THAT\\'AS .\ \\'FULLY \\'RONG
(TIlEY dancc)
l\IRS. LEVI
SO, HERE'S l\IY HAT, HORACE1'l\1 S'L\ YI1\" I lERE 1'1\1AT,
HORACEDOLLY'LL NEVER GO A\VAY
V,\i\DERGELDER
\Vonckrful woman!
BOTIIAGAIN!
(l'I1HS. LEVI punches cash registcr. Lights out andspot up 011
~1RS. MOLLOY and CORKELIUS upstairs)
114 II
HELLO, DOLLY!
MRS. l\'lOLLOY & CORNELIUS
HELLO DOLLY, \\TELL 1IELLO, DOLLYITS SO NICE TO HAVE YOU BACK
\VHERE
YOU BELONG(OTlIER PRIKCIP.-\LS enter)
ALL
(\\"AITERS cnter!YOU'RE LOOKI~' S\\TELL, DOLLY\VE CAN TELL,
DOLLYYOU'RE STILL GLO\VIN', YOU'RE STILL
CRO\VIN'YOU'RE STILL GO!:'," STRONG
(t , ., t )D.-\KCINC PEOPLE en CI
ALL
TAKE THE SOl\IEONE \VHOSE AR1\IS YOU'REIN'
HOLD O~ TO HER TIGHT AND SPIN AND
(Feed Store goes off)ONET\VO-THREE. ON"E,T\VO-THREE,
ONE,T\VO-THREELOOK, 1'~1 DANCINGAS AROUND .'\ND AROUND YOU
GOYOUR SPIRITS \VILL HIT THE TOP ,'\1\'DNO\\' THA'f 1'l\1
DA::-\CING \VHO CARES IF I
EVER STOP
lIE IIELD HER FOR .-\N INSTA:\'T
I 115
-
HELLO, DOLLY!
BUT HIS ARI\IS FELT SURE AND STRONGIT O~LY TAKES A I\:IOMENTTO
BE LOVED A 'VHOLE LIFE LONG
(the "SUl\D.-\ Y CLOTHES" PEOPLE parade)
PUT O:'-JYOUR SU:'-JDAYCLOTHES '''HEN YOUFEEL DO\YN AND OUT
STRUT DO\VN THE STREET AND HAVE YOURPICTURE TOOK
DRESSED LIKE A DREAI\1 YOUR SPIRITS SEEMTO TURN ABOUT
THAT SUr\DAY SHINE IS A CERTAIN SIGNTHAT YOU FEEL AS FINE AS YOU
LOOK
BENEATH OUR P,-\R.-\SOL THE \\'ORLD IS ALLA Sl\JILE
THAT l\IAKES YOU FEEL BRAND NE\V DO\VNTO YOUR TOES
(PRIKCIP.U.S are taking their bows Center,introduced by
V.\NDERCELDER. \'ANDERCELDERbO\n last)
GET OUT YOUR FEATHERS, YOUR PATENTLEATHERS,
YOUR BEf\DS AND BUCKLES AND BOV/SFOR THERE'S NO BLUE l\IONDAY IN
YOUR
SU1\'DAY CLOTHES(MRS. LE\,! enters through center alleyand
crosses down to circle 011 runwav )
\\,ELL, \\,ELL, HELLO DOLLY\YELL IIELLO DOLLYIT'S SO NICE TO
HAVE YOU BACK \VHERE
YOU BELONG SO
116
HELLO, DOLLY!
l\IRS. LEVI
\\'0\\', \\'0\\', \\'O\V FELL\SLOOK AT TIlE OLD GIRL 1\'0\\',
FELLAS
ALLDOLL )"LL I'\EVER GO ~.-\\\'AY :\G.\IN.
CURTAIl\"
I 117