With more than 65 students from elementary to high school and more than 60 parents and community members involved, Kutztown High School presents ‘Hello Dolly.’ Opening night is Friday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Director Robert Williams was not part of the selection process but believes one of the reasons’Hello, Dolly’ was selected because Kutztown’had talented students capable of playing the difficult roles in the show.’
‘While we involved with Kutztown musicals like to present new musicals to the Kutztown High School stage, sometimes we feel the need to re-introduce a timeless classic musical to a whole new audience. That is why we chose to present ‘Hello, Dolly,” wrote Williams in the Director’s Message for the show program.
”Hello, Dolly’ is a musical theater treasure, a true Broadway classic in every way, with its uplifting message and ageless songs. Sometimes you need to go back and experience them,’ he wrote. ‘So for today, let us remember how simple life use to be, and please enjoy our newest rendition of Hello, Dolly!’
Bryan Hartman is the vocal director and orchestra director. Jennifer Swan is the choreographer.
Winner of 10 academy awards including best musical, ‘Hello, Dolly’ opened on Broadway in 1964 and is based on the play ‘The Matchmaker’ by Thornton Wilder. The story takes place at the turn of the century in New York with elaborate costumes and bigger than life, Dolly Gallaher Levi, a lovable, funny, professional matchmaker, who sets her sights on half-a-millionaire Horace Vandergelder. Broadway’s most famous songs include ‘Before the Parade Passes By’, ‘It Only Takes a Minute’, ‘Put on Your Sunday Clothes’, and the most memorable ‘Hello Dolly’.
‘I love the simplicity of life back then,’ said Show producer Melissa Nolte. ‘I love the characters, especially Dolly! She is a hoot! ‘Hello Dolly’ is really a Broadway classic and I am pleased that our school performed it this year. It is nice to do the up to date musicals but it also nice to bring back an ‘oldie.”
A total of 65 students were involved in the musical. This includes cast, crew and pit.
Nolte explained that elementary, middle and high school students served in the pit orchestra, in the stage crew, in the lights/sound crew, and the Hello, Dolly Gentlemen.
‘They have been hard at work. The cast is perfecting the dances and songs they had to learn. The lead roles are learning all their songs and lines. Everyone had to learn the finale,’ she said. ‘It is very special to me to see everyone on stage (younger kids to the Dads in the show). It is a lot of work to put a musical together. I didn’t realize it before how hard everyone works to get to the final performances. The stage crew, lights/sound crew, and the pit orchestra members are also working to put the final touches to create a wonderful musical for the Kutztown area.’
Nolte feels that music enhances the process of learning.
‘It helps increase the responsibility of students, sharpens their concentration, creates a sense of achievement, fosters self-expression, relieves stress, teaches a student discipline, and promotes social skills. It allows the performers to be well rounded with acting, singing, and dancing. This musical also allows many students to feel included and to become one big ‘musical’ family,’ said Nolte.
Hurricane Sandy affected the show. There were many rehearsals cancelled due to power outages.
‘The cast and crew had to arise from all of these cancellations and perform at their dress rehearsals and give more than 100 percent,’ Nolte said. ‘It teaches these kids that not everything is perfect and we all have to adapt to changes.’
There are 14 Middle school students, 31 high school students, 12 stage crew students, one student helping with hair and makeup, three students working the lights/sound, five in the pit orchestra, 22 elementary students, and eight Hello, Dolly Gentlemen (Dads, director, and school administrator).
‘There was an enormous amount of help with parents (around 60) to put this show together,’ said Nolte. ‘We would like to thank all the hard working parents, directors, and chair people who came out and gave their valuable time and talents for this amazing musical. We would like to thank the janitorial staff at Kutztown High School (especially Cheryl) for their patience and assistance through set construction, rehearsals, ticket sales, and performances!’
Show is at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 16 and 17 and matinee at 2 p.m. on Nov. 18 at Kutztown Area High School Auditorium. Tickets are for sale before all performances or until the show sells out.
Music and Lyrics byJerry Herman. Book byMichael Stewart based on the play ‘The Matchmaker’by Thornton Wilder. Original Production Directed and Choreographed by Gower Champion. Produced for the Broadway stage byDavid Merrick And Champion-Five, Inc.
Kutztown Area High School’s ‘Hello Dolly’ is presented through a special arrangement withTams-Witmark Library, Inc., New York, N.Y.
Synopsis ‘And what do you do for a living, Mrs. Levi?’ asks Ambrose Kemper in the first scene of Hello, Dolly. ‘Some people paint, some sew… I meddle,’ replies Dolly and we are off on a whirlwind race round New York City and Yonkers at the turn of the century as we follow the adventures of America’s most beloved matchmaker, Mrs. Dolly Gallagher Levi.
Hello, Dolly is the story of Mrs. Levi’s efforts to marry Horace Vandergelder, the well-known half-a-millionaire, and send his money circulating among the people like rain water, the way her late husband, Ephraim, taught her. Along the way she also succeeds in marching up the young & beautiful widow,
Irene Molly, with Vandergelder’s head clerk, Cornelius Hackl; Cornelius’ assistant, Barnaby, with Mrs. Molloy’s assistant Minnie Fay and the struggling artist Ambrose Kemper with Mr. Vandergelder’s weeping niece, Ermengarde. Dolly tracks Horace to his hay & feed store in Yonkers, back to NYC to
Mrs. Molloy’s Hat Shop, and finally to the most expensive restaurant in New York, the Harmonia Gardens, where Dolly is greeted by the waiters, cooks, and gentlemen callers in one of the most famous songs in American musical theater, Hello, Dolly’.
Hello, Dolly Cast Mrs. Dolly Gallagher Levi………………………Laila Fahim
Horace Vandergelder……………………..Phillip Stutzman
Irene Molloy…………………………………….. Cecily Ryan
Minnie Fay………………………………………….Leah Crow
Cornelius Hackl…………………………………..Noel Bond
Barnaby Tucker………………………………….Chris Rarick
Ermengarde………………………………..Kimberly Brazina
Ambrose Kemper…………………………..Sawyer Herbine
Ernestina…………………………………..Kayla Fusselman
Mrs. Rose…………………………………………Emma Billig
Rudolph Reisenweber……………………………David Erb
Stanley……………………………………….Brock Rabenold
Judge…………………………………………..Matthew Gump
Waiter………………………………………….Nathan Hayduk
Head Chef………………………………………..Jonah Arndt
Chef…………………………………………Quintin Campbell
Clerk……………………………………………….Emma Billig
Tumbler………………………………………..Madison Snyder
Policeman …………………………………Brock Rabenold
Dance Troupe Jonah Arndt Kathryn Brooks
Colton Cutlip David Erb Matthew Gump Megan Laudenslager
Kathryn Lodwick Krystal Nolte
Kiona Peters Brock Rabenold MacKenzie Sheetz Quinn Snyder
Sunday Clothes Ensemble Sam Arnold Kathryn Brooks
Quintin Campbell Colton Cutlip
Vicky Diehl David Erb Matthew Gump Nathan Hayduk
Mike Heiner Megan Laudenslager
Krystal Nolte Kiona Peters Brock Rabenold Lizzie Rarick
Michaela Ryan MacKenzie Sheetz
Quinn Snyder Rachel Williamson
High School Ensemble Emma Adam Jonah Arndt
Emma Billig Kathryn Brooks Colton Cutlip Vicky Diehl
David Erb Kayla Fusselman Matthew Gump Mike Heiner
Megan Laudenslager Kathryn Lodwick
Sara Luckenbill Shelby Mengel
Krystal Nolte Livia Oliver
Kiona Peters Brock Rabenold MacKenzie Sheetz Jamie Siefert
Rebecca Sylvernale Rachael Williamson
Middle School Ensemble Sam Arnold Ashley Bleiler Margaret Brooks
Quintin Campbell Saffron Derr Jordan Dunn
Grace Gdowik Nathan Hayduk Lizzie Rarick
Michaela Ryan Olivia Sica Madison Snyder
Quinn Snyder Hannah Walker Hello Dolly Gentlemen
Robert Williams Brian Rabenold Andrew Brett
Art Laudenslager Enos Bleiler Mark Neumann
Andrew Arnold Brian Fusselman Elementary Ensemble
Blue White Kaylen Leiby Samantha Ide
Sydney Sheetz Sienna Kressley
Abe Friehauf Margaret Youll Lloyd Stanton McKenzie Schaner
Clayton Cadwallader Candace Wilson
MyaKay Bartman Kyra Meixell Maggie Schaeffer Morgan Reidenhour
Olivia Williamson Kaleigh Mills
Lauren Clymer Reanna Reynolds
Madison Goodwin Allison Brooks
Alexandria Webb Paige McKenna
Set Construction Brian Rabenold
Art Laudenslager Enos Bleiler
Brian Fusselman Wayne Luckenbill
Ken Hampton Ken Parker John Rarick
Don Ryan Mark Neumann Brock Rabenold
Austin Crow Set Painting
Jon Bond Bob Williams Kelly Bond
Brian Rabenold Jennifer Erb
Melissa Dunn Julie Rabenold
Chris Rarick Laila Fahim
Kim Brazina Charlene Sheetz
Lori Arndt Ashley Bleiler
Crystal Hampton Austin Crow
Costumes Dawn Fahim Kathy Brazina
Samantha Doublet Susan Crow
Arabel Elliott Melissa Dunn
Holly Stutzman Christine Ryan
Kathleen Lodwick Lisa Rarick
Phoebe Stutzman Props Nancy Brooks
Arabel Elliott Beth Sica
Brian Rabenold Bob Williams
Dawn Fahim Enos Bleiler
Leroy Remp Light/Sounds Crew Adults
David DeTurk Curtis Filchner Justin Tuerk
Pit Orchestra Conductor: Mr. Bryan Hartman
Woodwinds: Percussion: Faith Schiffer Paul Esposito
Linda Bolasky Pete Snyder Chris Heslop
Amanda Miller Jennifer Rohrbach
Brass: Strings: Kris Hartman Neil Fronheiser
Anne Hoffman Joyce Burkey Anson Weidner Anne Smith
Rob Stoneback Melissa Anthony
Caitlin Worrich Sam Arace Piano:
Mrs. Melanie Hartman As well as many others that worked behind the scenes selling tickets, hosting the cast party, programs, concession stand, publicity, ushers, t-shirts, printer, photographer, to name a few.
