PR2006 May 17
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 17 2006
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Leigh Hays 205-391-2310
“Hello Dolly!” Comes to Theatre Tuscaloosa Stage
Tuscaloosa – Theatre Tuscaloosa will continue its 2005-2006 Season with “Hello Dolly,” running June 16 through 25 at the Bean-Brown Theatre on the campus of Shelton State Community College at 9500 Old Greensboro Road in Tuscaloosa.
Based on the play “The Matchmaker” by Thornton Wilder, it features a book by Michael Stewart, and music and lyrics by Jerry Herman. This is the musical that turned the scheming woman into a lovable heroine, and introduced great songs like “Before the Parade Passes By,” “Put On Your Sunday Clothes,” and of course the title song, “Hello Dolly.” Slapstick comedy and beautiful melodies intertwine in one of musical theater’s most lovable shows, and everybody gets a happily-ever-after.
“Hello Dolly” opened January 16, 1964 on Broadway with Carol Channing in the title role and ran for 2844 performances, making it the longest playing Broadway musical at that time. It won 10 Tony Awards for Musical, Actress, Author, Producer, Director, Composer and Lyricist, Conductor and Musical Director, Scenic Designer, Costume Designer and Choreographer, as well as The New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Musical.
"Hello Dolly!" at Theatre Tuscaloosa is directed by artistic director emeritus Paul K. Looney, who has been involved in the organization since 1980. Looney is also providing scenic design for the show. Musical Director is Leslie Poss, manager of the Tuscaloosa Symphony and director of the Tuscaloosa Community Singers. Choreographer is Stephen de Ghelder, who has choreographed many shows for Theatre Tuscaloosa including “Chicago,” “My Fair Lady,” “The World Goes ‘Round” as well as production numbers for the Alabama Stage and Screen Hall of Fame Gala.
The role of Dolly Levi, one of the most famous in musical theatre, will be played by Ava Buchanan. Her Theatre Tuscaloosa career includes leads in “Into the Woods”, “Mame,” “Anything Goes,” and “I Do! I Do!”. She was last seen on the Bean-Brown stage in “Steel Magnolias.” Opposite Buchanan in the role of “half-millionaire” Horace Vandergelder is Charles Prosser, who is no stranger to Tuscaloosa audiences, having appeared in “Big River,” “Plaza Suite,” “A Little Night Music,” and “Smoke on the Mountain” among many others. The rest of the cast includes Ray Taylor as Vandergelder’s employee Cornelius Hackl and Lisa Waldrop in the role of his romantic interest Irene Molloy. Other key roles are portrayed by Erin Hutson (Minnie Faye), Westley Keiser (Barnaby Tucker), Barry Bonner (Ambrose Kemper), Kathryn David (Ermengarde), Russell Frost (Rudolph), Joey Lay (Judge), Elliot Moon (Court Clerk), Jameson Sanford (Stanley) and Hillary Burke (Ernestina). Also in the cast are Chris Ingram, Phillip Bambarger, Jake Boyd, Calvin Parker, Clifton Baker, Matt Cornelson, Marlin Ward, Wright Gatewood, Willie Williams, Sara Carroll, Laura Jacobs, Kelly Brown, Meredith Richter, Tiffany Jones, Kristina Nelson, Cindy Waldrop and Sara Cunningham.
Tickets prices are: Adults $22, Seniors/Students/Children $17, SSCC students $6 with discounts available for groups. Performances are scheduled June 16, 17, 22, 23 and 24 at 7:30 P.M. and June 18, 21 and 25 at 2:00 P.M. For information about tickets, group rates or to purchase tickets by phone, call 205-391-2277 or visit the Theatre Tuscaloosa website at www.theatretusc.com.
Theatre Tuscaloosa, one of the largest community theatres in the state, works in partnership with Shelton State Community College to provide quality theatrical experiences to the citizens of West Alabama through performances, workshops and classroom instruction. By combining the talent and resources of the non-profit theatre company with the facilities and administrative support of “Alabama’s Community College of the Fine Arts,” Theatre Tuscaloosa and Shelton State Community College have created a partnership model that has enriched the lives of countless of Alabamians.