Pearl Bailey was the first Dolly I saw (later saw Channing in one of the revivals) I was in college and sat in the balcony. I remember the balcony audience being about 1/3 to 1/2 Black theatergoers. From what I could see of the orchestra, the numbers of Black attendees was considerable less, perhaps 10 to 15 % Everyone, myself definitely included loved both Bailey and calloway and they worked very well together. Yes, she adlibbed and broke character on occasion but she made that work.
