Let’s start with a subject that is very near and dear to you - arts education. You and your husband set up a foundation to endow scholarships for university arts students. Could you tell us about the foundation and some of its activities? Where can interested persons go to provide donations?

Carol & husband Harry Kullijian

The most important thing to me is to expose children to the arts specifically in public schools. Arts education fertilizes the brain of students and expands their thinking.

When I attended public schools we were given arts education. I know for certain if it had not been for such exposure to the arts life would not have been so thrilling. There is a group in Anaheim, California called Job Core that gives high school drop-outs a second chance to go back to finish school. I recently spoke to this group about arts education and setting goals in life and received three standing ovations in the end. These young people are full of life and are once again excited about reaching for their dreams.

With this foundation, we aren't looking to make artists but rather to expose children to the arts. Arts education makes for more self-confident individuals and helps children begin to understand that sense of achievement.

My father used to tell me, "There is no high in the world like achievement!" Once you have done it for yourself, you begin to truly understand how rewarding life can be.

We are accepting donations to help our worthy cause. My husband Harry says "even if each person gives as little as $2.00 they are investors in this very important project". You see this is not about me or finding young artists, but for the children of our future.

To donate please send amounts:
Carol Channing Foundation
4311 Wilshire Blvd #202
Los Angeles, CA 90010

You recently provided your talents to a Virginia-based puppet troupe for one of their upcoming productions, "The Broadway Adventures of Chessie The Manatee." What made you agree to do the project? What is the show about and who do you play?

I play a pink octopus who is the title role in this darling show. Jon Wilde of Modesto, California created this touring troupe of puppeteers with my voice as the voice of Chessie. The show travels throughout the United States and reaches many children.

The next few questions concern your remarkable 60+-year career in the Broadway theatre, something not many living performers can brag about. First off, you have a reputation for never missing a performance. What accounts for your stamina?

I did HELLO DOLLY for over span of over 30 years. In this time, I did well over 5,000 performances of the show all over the world. I never missed a performance. I did some shows in a wheelchair and people just accepted Dolly was in a wheelchair.

I also had ovarian cancer during this period and never stopped. You know, there is a different distance between the orchestra pit and lip of the stage at each theater and we toured the show all over the globe. In addition, the spotlight was just blinding so I kept falling in the orchestra pit! I fell into the drums and that didn't go over well. A few cities later on the tour, when I knew I missed the mark and knew I was going to fall, I did a little twist away from the drummer and went into string section. All those boys in the string section got very upset. It took me six months to recover from that fall.

I had everything in the world the matter with me in that period of time, but I did all the shows as planned. I must tell you that when you reach to the heavens in order to pull off a performance, you will shine. I believe that your most challenging shows are actually the performances that will be your best. Audience members drove from all over to see me in this show and how could I let them down?

What are some memories of starring in the musical THE VAMP/DELILAH?

Walter Kerr said in his review that "Ms. Channing is the victim of gangsters." The writers had no experience, we had no director, it was terrible. Amateurish! Fortunately the critics gave me good notices, despite the biggest mess of a show you have ever seen.

Did you have as much fun making THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE as it seems while watching the film?

Julie Andrews is truly a great star! My experience with Andrews was tremendous and the best part of working on this film.

What are your impressions of the various "Horace Vandergelders" you have played opposite in HELLO DOLLY? Do you have a favorite?

Oh, Davey Burns! He would stand with his back to audience so only I could see him in the St. James. He would stand there for a half-hour before each show near my dressing room which was near the wings of the stage getting into character.

Davey was breaking in a new musical called 70 GIRLS 70 out of town. The show was to come to Broadway and Davey died on stage in an out-of-town preview. He went out of this world laughs building because as he collapsed the audience thought it was all a part of the show.

I decided then, this is how I want to go. The biggest lesson to all of us in this business is to die with your work boots on!

In performance...with no signs of stopping!

Are there any roles you wish you could have played on Broadway but didn't get the chance?

It’s exhausting really...Honestly, I feel like I got every show I ever wanted. It’s about the voice, and even with the best doctors, your voice can only handle eight shows a week for so long. It's hard work!

I can proudly say that each and every role I landed, despite what came my way health wise, I would go on. I was not built to play just one character in a show, it works best for me when I get to play multiple characters in the same production. Personally, I am nothing like Dolly Levi or Lorelei Lee but I can play the characters.

Finally, at your time of life, any there are surprises left (professionally or personally)?

I have a new show in development where I play multiple characters and tell the stories from my career. It's my greatest joy to do a show that enables me to do almost everybody I ever cared about. I am performing this new show all over the country and loving every minute.