Bette Midler Returns to Broadway in 'Hello Dolly!' Role Once Played by Barbra Streisand

Immensely talented, and funny, actress and singer Bette Midler, whose long career has included Golden Globes, Emmys and even a special Tony Award, is coming back to Broadway. This time around, the Hocus Pocus star will be bringing a classic Barbra Streisand character back to the stage, taking the title role in a new 2017 revival of Hello, Dolly!

According to Variety, Midler has now signed up for her next Broadway show, set for 2017, playing the title role of Dolly Levi, a role originated by Carol Channing onstage and then played by Streisand in the Gene Kelly-directed film adaptation. This new version of the musical will be directed by Tony-winning Jerry Zaks (Guys and Dolls) and produced by EGOT winner Scott Rudin (No Country for Old Men).

The original musical's book was written by Michael Stewart, while the music and lyrics were in charge of Jerry Herman, who seems delighted to have Midler take on the role.

"Though I've had literally dozens of names tossed at me, I knew that we needed more than just a wonderful singer or a wonderful actor, so I held on to the hope that she would also be a distinctly original persona," said Herman when news of the revival came out, Deadline reports. "Who is out there that has the necessary stature, warmth, the incredible talent and ability, and especially the singular, outsized personality that I was looking for in a 21st Century Dolly? Only one person: Bette Midler. Only Bette could bring Dolly brilliantly back to 'the lights of 14th Street!'"

Midler, ever active on Twitter, took to the social network to excitedly confirm the news in the early hours of Tuesday morning. She's apparently wanted to play the iconic role for years.

Yes, I am taking on the role of the beloved Dolly Levi in "Hello, Dolly!". We open next year on Broadway! So excited!

— Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) January 19, 2016

It's been three years since Midler was last on Broadway, when she appeared on 2013's one-woman show I'll Eat You Last: A Chat With Sue Mengers to great ticket sales.

There's still no word on the rest of the cast or any specific dates, but the revival is bound to be among the most interesting things on Broadway next year.