'Hello Dolly!' opens at Naperville Central

Naperville Central senior Crystal Vining's family and friends likely will be relieved when she stops speaking loudly and waving her hands dramatically when she talks.

But they'll have to wait until after she stars in this weekend's production of "Hello Dolly!"

"Every scene she (Dolly) has to be bigger than life and maintaining that throughout the show can be difficult so I had to practice," Vining said. "Even outside school I was trying to be bigger than life to get used to the character."

Vining and Lauren Kerbs will take turns playing matchmaker Dolly Levi in Central's show that begins at 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the school, 440 W. Aurora Ave.

The Broadway classic tells the tale of Dolly's matchmaking exploits along with her attempt to win over Horace Vandergelder for herself.

The audience will likely recognize many of the songs in the show including "Hello Dolly," "Put on Your Sunday Clothes" and "It Only Takes a Moment," some of which were recently used in the movie "WALL-E."

Curt Parry served as producer and musical director for Central's show with help from Mike Doman, drama director. Parry said he doesn't mind students getting ideas from earlier versions of the well-known show but they shouldn't rely on them.

"I think they eventually have to make the part their own," Parry said. "I don't want them stealing, but for them to evaluate and use in their own characterization, I'm all for that."

Vining said she did just that with the role of Dolly, combining pieces of the character from the play and movie versions with her own flair.

Dolly is one of several characters being split by two actors and each cast made some of its own small tweaks to the show as well, according to senior Nick Vizza, who plays Vandergelder's clerk.

He said each of the casts spent a lot of time together even outside of rehearsal as a way to bond and discuss the show.

"We had so much fun rehearsing every day after school since February so we put a lot of work into it," Vizza said. "And it's stressful at times but it's a really nice way to realize the end of senior year as a whole."

As for the crew behind the scenes, Parry complimented Nick France, who designed the sets; Kris Visher, who designed the costumes; and Lindsay Swanson, who handled the choreography. He said the visuals will add a whole other dimension to the show.

"It's going to be a feast for the eyes as well as the ears," Parry said.

Students say the audience also will enjoy the show's comedy, music, dancing and the overall liveliness of the production.

"Everybody who is sitting in the audience will be able to find one character on stage they will relate to in one way or another," said senior Evelyn Walker. "(They) will love the show."

Tickets are $7 for students and seniors and $10 for adults.

If you go

What: "Hello Dolly"

When: 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday

Where: Naperville Central High School, 440 W. Aurora Ave.

Tickets: $7 for students and seniors, $10 for adults

Info: (630) 420-6834 or cparry@naperville203.org

The cast

*Several parts have been double cast. The actor listed first will play the role May 1 and 3 while the second actor will play the role May 2.

Dolly Levi: Crystal Vining/Lauren Kerbs

Horace Vandergelder: Cameron Petti

Cornelius Hackl: Nicholas Vizza/John Ludlam

Irene Molloy: Evelyn Walker/Kathleen Manning

Barnaby Tucker: Mike Raleigh/Jeff Gordon

Minnie Fay: Kelly Lamich/Olivia Palak

Ambrose Kemper: Ryan Prinz

Ermengarde: Shanna Harrington

Ernestina: Jenna Liddle

Rudolph Reisenweber: Nathan Lin

Mrs. Rose: Kaylin Jamnicki

Policeman: Brent Woldman

Judge: Bill Erlain

Fritz: Dan Hayes

Stanley: Mike Miller

Hank: Dennis McMahon

Men of Yonkers: Nick Ciliak, Bill Erlain, Seth Golloway, David Gustaferro, Dan Hayes, Daniel Henkel, Jacob Kemner, Nathan Lin, Dennis McMahon, Michael Miller, Grant Myatt, Jackson Pierce, Tom Wojcik, Brent Woldman

Featured Dancers: Seth Golloway, Dan Hayes, Jacob Kemner, Grant Myatt, Jess Nylen, Emily Walker, Evelyn Walker/Lauren Kerbs, Chelsea Ward, Becky Wolfe

Waiters: Nick Ciliak, Monica De Iorio, Bill Erlain, Sarah Fusco, David Gustaferro, Seth Golloway, Daniel Hayes, Dan Henkel, Kelly Jozwiak, Jacob Kemner, Christine Kim, Shelby Klose, Dennis McMahon, Michael Miller, Grant Myatt, Jackson Pierce, Hannah Rhodes, Kristen Strom, Emily Walker, Kat Wiersum, Kristin Willard, Tom Wojcik, Brent Woldman

Ensemble: Eileen Barry, Brianne Buishas, Colleen Cesaretti, Nick Ciliak, Jenna Crosby, Monica De Iorio, Jennifer Duffy, Bill Erlain, Sarah Fusco, Angela Geiss, Carolyn Gerken, Seth Golloway, David Gustaferro, Dan Hayes, McCall Henderson, Daniel Henkel, Laura Hill, Sarah Hollander, Kaylin Jamnicki, Kelly Jozwiak, Jacob Kemner, Christine Kim, Shelby Klose, Veronica Lent, Jenna Liddle, Nathan Lin, Emma Lindley, Krissy Ludlam, Becca Mallett, Rebecca Mayer, Dennis McMahon, Mike Miller, Colleen Morris, Grant Myatt, Aly Nunez, Jess Nylen, Jackson Pierce, Hannah Rhodes, Kristen Strom, Emily Van, Elizabeth Van, Emily Walker, Chelsea Ward, Rachel Weeks, Kat Wiersum, Kristin Willard, Tom Wojcik, Brent Woldman, Becky Wolfe, Sarah Zavoral

Pit Orchestra: Melody Chiang, Katherine Janda, Carol Jones, Jack French, Diana Cavenagh, Vic French, Taylor Tolchin, Andrew Almeter, Kim Truemper, Brian Levine, Mike Bajek, Emma Rimsa, Becca Paren, Colleen Kaster, Rachel Brann, Yu Chen, Sarah Halweg, Matt Byron, Carter Stirtz, James Rennie

Producer/Musical Director: Curt Parry

Drama Director: Mike Doman

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