Schaumburg conquers Broadway with 'Hello Dolly!' for second weekend at Prairie Center
The award-winning Schaumburg Summer Theatre presents the hit musical "Hello, Dolly!" for two more performances at the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. Performances begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 4 and Saturday, Aug. 5. Tickets, $26 ($22 students and seniors) can be ordered online at www.prairiecenter.org or by calling (847) 895-3600.
First produced for Broadway in 1964, "Hello, Dolly!" remains one of musical theater's most enduring and acclaimed musicals with accolades including "Perfection" (Time Out), "Glorious" (Vogue), and "Classic Broadway at its best" (Entertainment Weekly). Based on Thornton Wilder's hit comedy "The Matchmaker," the musical follows the exploits of Dolly Gallagher-Levi as she gleefully meddles in the love affairs of its main characters, including her own. While the show's perpetually tuneful score is highlighted by memorable gems including "Put On Your Sunday Clothes," "Before the Parade Passes By," and the iconic title track, the production's visual delights are provided through sumptuous Victorian-era costumes, energetic choreography, and a barrage of sight gags that keep the plot bouncing along.
For Grace Corwine of East Dundee, the fun of playing the title role of Dolly, whose character sings seven songs and delivers monologue after monologue, comes with a great amount of preparation. In developing her own interpretation, Corwine started with taking cues from Barbara Streisand's starring performance in the 1969 film version of the musical. "Her mile-a-minute patter is something I look to accomplish in the role," says Corwine. To round out Dolly's character, which is by turns controlled and chaotic, Corwine draws from an extensive resume of leading musical roles from past area productions, including Heather Chandler in "Heathers," Roxie Hart in "Chicago," and Hope Cladwell in "Urinetown."
Also starring are Andrew Luzwick of Hoffman Estates as the irascible feedstore magnate Horace Vandergelder, Joshua Dizon of Rolling Meadows as store clerk Cornelius Hackl, Ariela Policastro of Carol Stream as hat shop owner Irene Molloy, Tim Eterno of Palatine as Barnaby Tucker, and Paige Zapinski of Schaumburg as Minnie Fay. Also featured are Dominic Anthony Luzwick of Hoffman Estates as lovestruck painter Ambrose Kemper and Samantha Knapp of Hoffman Estates as his maudlin girlfriend Ermengarde.
A cast of dancing waiters, cooks, and city folk, backed by an 18-piece orchestra, includes Hoffman Estates residents Evan Jenson, Anthony Luzwick, Natalia Morales, and Gabrielle Pelayo; Palatine residents John Delaney, Bob Di Leo, Olivia Holmes, and Aaron Willming; Schaumburg residents Tommy Barroso and David Kessler; Barrington residents Fae Logan and Vienna Logan; Norridge residents Samantha Ranis and Olivia Ringelstein; Naperville residents Onora Kirpanos and Adalynne Ramaker; Lake in the Hills residents Lilith Myers and Olivia Zak; Elgin resident Claire Jolie Goodman; Elk Grove Village resident Evalyn Nowak; Lake Zurich resident Jason Penton; Lisle resident Mitchell Kobzarev; Lombard resident Owen Peterson; Roselle resident Hailey Benoit; and Wood Dale resident Kailianna Smith. Marcus Pallan of Bartlett was rehearsal swing.
"Hello, Dolly!" is directed by Rob Pileckis, with vocal direction by Tim Koll, orchestra direction by Michael Benshish, costumes and choreography by Melissa Crabtree, set design by Phil Seifritz, lighting design by John Scrip, and audio design by Austin Meyer. Olivia Frullani is the assistant director. Lauren Hall is stage manager.
"Hello, Dolly!" features a book by Michael Stewart, with music and lyrics by Jerry Herman. "Hello, Dolly!" is based on the play "The Matchmaker" by Thornton Wilder. Original production directed and choreographed by Gower Champion. Produced for the Broadway Stage by David Merrick and Champion Five, Inc. "Hello, Dolly!" is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC., www.concordtheatricals.com
Schaumburg Summer Theatre is a program of the Village of Schaumburg.