Applause (musical) resulting musical could not contain any dialogue or characters that had been created for the movie but could use the original material that the movie also used. In April 1969, it was announced that Strouse, Adams, and book writer Sidney Michaels were beginning to work on the show, with Lawrence Kasha producing. In July 1969, movie star Lauren Bacall was cast as aging theater star Margo Channing, the role played by Bette Davis in "All About Eve". Bacall greatly identified with the role, explaining, "The Margo Channing of "Applause" and myself were ideally suited. She was approaching middle age. So
Carol Channing Andrews for helping her develop her character: "She will forever be my angel," she says. Due to her success on Broadway in "Hello Dolly!" and her co-starring role in "Thoroughly Modern Millie", Channing attracted the attentions of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, who were interested in starring her in a sitcom. Directed and produced by Arnaz and written by Bob Carroll, Jr. and Madelyn Davis (who co-wrote "I Love Lucy" and "The Lucy Show"), "The Carol Channing Show" starred Channing as Carol Hunnicut, a small-town girl trying and failing to make it in New York City show business. Character actors