Matchmaking mayhem reigns starting today at Capital City Productions' production of "Hello Dolly!"
Based on the book "The Matchmaker," it follows Dolly the matchmaker as she finds partners for well-known, unmarried wealthy people, all the while angling to marry one of the men.
"The best way that I can explain it is that it's literally an ongoing joke of how she is kind of shepherding her client the wrong way in order to get the results she wants," director Ben Miller said.
"Hello Dolly!" is one of the most awarded Broadway musicals in history. Fans may also recognize the story from the movie made in the 1960s starring Barbara Streisand, who played Dolly.
For members of the CCP community, producing this show holds special meaning.
"What's really important for us is, this was supposed to be Rob Crouse's last show he directed for CCP," Miller said. "It was slated to be his and then with his passing, it did not have a director and we at the theater just wanted to make sure that we gave it everything we could just to really do him honor by putting on the best show that we can."
With a large number of actors wanting to play a part in this musical, Miller added some roles for children to ensure the musical had a big, full cast.
The titular role of Dolly will be played by Karin Schatte, who will be starring opposite Joshua Lehto, who plays Horace Vandergelder. Mary Oxley and Peter Lyskowski will portray Irene Molloy and Cornelius Hackl, respectivelly, while Natalie Bessette takes on the role of Minnie Fay and Murphy Ward portrays Barnaby Tucker.
"The cast we've assembled is truly a powerhouse, and coupled with the exceptional talent of our production team, my role as director has been remarkably easy," Miller said.
Miller added, "CCP really is the definition of theater; we have people from all walks of life, career paths, ages and demographics that come and participate and it's just so rewarding to have that and we're always looking for more folks to come get involved. Our doors are always open."
"Hello Dolly!" opens today and continues Friday and Saturday, in addition to April 18-20. Evening shows begin at 7:30 p.m. and the Saturday matinees begin at 1 p.m. There is the option between a show-only ticket for $29 or the dinner and a show ticket for $49. The dinner buffet begins an hour before showtime.
Tickets can be purchased online at ccpjc.org.
Shaun Zimmerman/News Tribune Capital City Productions members rehearse for "Hello Dolly!"
Shaun Zimmerman/News Tribune A Capital City Productions member rehearses for "Hello Dolly!"
Shaun Zimmerman/News Tribune Capital City Productions members rehearse for "Hello Dolly!"
Shaun Zimmerman/News Tribune Capital City Productions members rehearse for "Hello Dolly!"
Shaun Zimmerman/News Tribune Capital City Productions members rehearse for "Hello Dolly!"
Shaun Zimmerman/News Tribune Capital City Productions members rehearse for "Hello Dolly!"