Castle Craig Players to Present HELLO, DOLLY!, 8/7-16

Love is in the air this summer as the Castle Craig Players present the famous matchmaking musical HELLO, DOLLY! The beloved Broadway show, which won 10 Tony Awards including Best Musical, is live on stage for two weeks only - August 7-16!

Based on "The Matchmaker" by Thornton Wilder, you'll grin from ear to ear as we follow the irresistible Dolly Gallagher Levi, who, after cunningly negotiating marriages for others through a series of comic romantic entanglements, ultimately finds her own match! Jerry Herman's rousing score is bursting with joy and tunes like "Put On Your Sunday Clothes," "Before The Parade Passes By," "It Only Takes A Moment," and of course, "Hello, Dolly!."

"I consider HELLO, DOLLY! to be one of the few "perfect musicals" in the history of American theatre," said director Ian Galligan, a long-time CCP veteran. "The message it delivers still rings true today - it's about staying in life, not giving up or fading away - but getting back into the parade, and putting some life and color in every breath you take!"

In addition to the high scale production, Galligan promises that returning patrons are in for a surprise - following full renovation and expansion of the stage, as well as newly installed lighting and technical aspects. "We've taken our tiny little blackbox space and made it even more versatile - it's been very exciting!"

The cast includes Susan Smith Thom (Dolly Gallagher Levi), Kevin Reid (Horace Vandgergelder), Jim Kane (Cornelius Hackl), Oliver Kochol (Barnaby Tucker), Allison Mohler (Irene Malloy), Jennifer Del Sole (Minnie Fay), Emma Czaplinski (Ernestina), Zach Fontanez (Ambrose Kemper), Diane Warner-Canova (Ernestina), Pat Petipas (Rudolph) and Deane Poirier (Mrs. Rose). The company also features Arthur Canova, Michael Dolan, Kendra Kochol, Jasmine McLeish, Jorge Melendez, Ian Pedroza, Hilary Rolstone and Wesley Tack.

The show features music direction by Andrew Gadwah, choreography by Simone McMahon, set design by Sean Martin and technical design by Meg Ryan. Melanie Pendleton is Production Stage Manager, and Adam Plumley serves as Assistant Stage Manager.

HELLO, DOLLY! will be presented for six performances only - August 7-16 (Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2:00pm) at The Almira F. Stephan Memorial Playhouse, 59 West Main Street, Meriden, CT. Tickets are $20, and seating is extremely limited - so patrons are encouraged to buy in advance! Tickets may be purchased online at www.CastleCraig.org or over the phone by calling toll-free 1-800-838-3006.

The production is generously sponsored by Prentis Printing Solutions, the Meriden YMCA Arts Academy and Salon Nathaniel.