A Bells Are Ringing tour was originally supposed to hit the road in January 1958, with Ginger Rogers as Ella Peterson.
Later in 1958 negotiations were under way with June Havoc to play the role in the national tour as it looked like Judy Holliday would not be available, but in the end, after the Broadway production closed, Holliday starred in the tour. The tour's run, however, had to be limited as Holliday was due to start making the film version.