Musicals at Richter's HELLO, DOLLY! Begins Tomorrow

Musicals at Richter (MAR), celebrating its 32nd season as the longest-running outdoor theater in Connecticut, kicks off the summer June 10 with a visit from irrepressible matchmaker Dolly Levi in Michael Stewart and Jerry Herman's classic "Hello, Dolly!" playing through June 25. Staged on the grounds of the Richter Arts Center in Danbury, performances take place outdoors under the stars Friday through Sunday evenings at 8:30 p.m., with additional specially discounted performances on Thursday, June 16 and 23.

Based on Thornton Wilder's "The Matchmaker," this blockbuster musical opened on Broadway in 1964 where Carol Channing created one of musical theater's most memorable roles. A meddler by profession, widowed matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi is determined to find a suitable mate for Yonkers' well-known "half-a- millionaire," Horace Vandergelder. Her matchmaking creates merry mayhem not only in Vandergelder's life, but also in the lives of everyone around him, from his niece and his store clerks to the women Dolly has arranged for him to date. At the center of this whirlwind is Dolly, handing out cards, giving dance lessons, advising the lovelorn, pleading court cases, mesmerizing a crowded restaurant - and charming theater audiences year after year.

The incomparable score features "It Takes A Woman," "Before the Parade Passes By," "Put on Your Sunday Clothes," "Ribbons Down My Back," "It Only Takes a Moment," "Elegance," and of course, the title song.

Featured in the title role is area theater veteran and MAR alumna Cat Heidel (Southbury), who most recently appeared on the Richter stage as Reverend Mother in "Nunsense" and as Betsy in "Sweet Charity." Playing opposite her as the lovablecurmudgeon Horace Vandergelder is Mike Armstrong (Danbury), another Richter veteran, who entertained MAR audiences last summer as Edna Turnblad in "Hairspray" and Buffalo Bill Cody in "Annie Get Your Gun."

Vandergelder's hardworking clerks Cornelius Hackl and Barnaby Tucker are portrayed by Karl Hinger (New Milford) and Andrew Kocur (Danbury). Appearing as their respective love interests are Katherine Wolff (Newtown) as hatmaker Irene Malloy and Lexi Tobin (Sandy Hook) as her assistant, Minnie Fay.

Also featured are Jessica Cerasoli (Mahopac, NY) as Vandergelder's lovesick niece Ermengarde, Cole Urso (Wethersfield) as artist-turned- dancer Ambrose Kemper, Barbara Kessler (Danbury) as lonely heart Ernestina Money and Michael Wright (Newtown) as Rudolph Reisenweber, the dedicated maitre d' of Dolly's favorite restaurant, the Harmonia Gardens.

Adding to the fun, Matt Austin (New Milford), Stephen Stott (Brookfield) and Ted Schwartz (Brookfield) alternate in the cameo role of a slightly bewildered judge who is put through his paces matching legal wits with Dolly.

Completing the cast is a talented ensemble of area actors, including Katrina Karl (Bethel); Kevin Sayour (Brookfield); Kimberly Armstrong, Dolly Conner, Monet Fleming and Brailyn Rodriguez (Danbury); Will Armstrong (Greenwich); Richard Frey and Susan Gelb (New Fairfield); Brian Hinger and Amber Levine (New Milford); Teresa Forlenzo (Newtown); Zack Federici (Rocky Hill); Shelby Davis (Waterbury); and Christina Kompar (Hastings-on- Hudson, NY)..

"Hello, Dolly!" is directed, choreographed and vocally directed by Musicals at Richter Co-Founder and Founding Artistic Director Bradford Blake (Danbury). The multitalented Blake has worked in regional theater for over 30 years as a director,musical director, choreographer, composer, arranger and designer. Most recently, he wrote and directed the critically acclaimed holiday revue "Wreck the Halls" which enjoyed a sold-out run at Ridgefield Theater Barn in December, and directed MAR's 2015 season opener "Once Upon a Mattress."

The "Dolly" creative team also includes Peter Randazzo (Trumbull) as conductor, Tina Morrissette (Brookfield) as stage manager and Joyce Northrop (Danbury) as producer.

The main stage season will also feature a blockbuster dance musical based on a popular 1980s film (July 1-16) and a beloved Andrew Lloyd Webber musical (July 22- August 6). For complete details on Musicals at Richter's season, daytime Fairy Tale Theater for children and young people's musical theater workshop offerings, visit www.musicalsatrichter.org.

Main stage musical performances are Friday through Sunday evenings at the Richter Arts Center (next to the Richter Park Golf Course, I-84, Exit 2), 100 Aunt Hack Road, in Danbury. Tickets for "Hello, Dolly!" are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and students (with ID), and $10 for children 10 and under. For the additional Thursday performances on June 16 and 23, tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and students and $5 for children 10 and under. Tickets may be purchased through the Musicals at Richter website (www.musicalsatrichter.org) or at the door. Grounds open at7:15 p.m. for picnicking, with curtain at 8:30 p.m. Group rates are available with advance reservation; chair rentals and soft drink/snack concessions are available on-site.