Musical

Audition Information

Based on Thornton Wilder’s classic comedy, "Hello, Dolly!" brings Broadway’s most iconic, match-making powerhouse—Dolly Levi—to the stage for a dazzling, music-packed adventure. Bursting into New York City at the turn of the 20th century, the irrepressible Dolly is on a mission to find a match for the grumpy, wealthy "half-millionaire" Horace Vandergelder—while secretly plotting to marry him herself! Full of unforgettable showtunes, show-stopping dance numbers like the famous "Waiters' Gallop," and a heartwarming message about living life to the absolute fullest, this musical comedy asks the delightful question: Can Dolly successfully orchestrate her biggest match yet and bring love to everyone she meets? Come and find out in April!

AUDITION DATES:

• You can download and print the Audition Packet here, or see Mr. Dyrland in the Choir Room for printed copies of the Audition Packet.  You must bring the first page completed to the audition and give it to Mr. Dyrland.

• Auditions will be held on Wednesday, December 17th, 2025, from 3:00-5:00 pm in the MHS Choir Room (311) or on Thursday, December 19th, 2025, from 6:00-8:00 pm in the MHS Choir Room (311).  Students only need to audition on one day.  Students should not plan to audition on both days.  

• Rehearsals begin in February.  We will utilize M-Block time (2:30-3:00 pm) to learn some music.  We will start our slate of rehearsals on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings from 6:30-9:30 pm beginning in March. 

WHAT TO PREPARE FOR AUDITIONS:  Please be on time for the audition.  We will move through the auditions rather quickly.  Audition Packet

MUSIC:  Everyone planning to audition will sing one of the songs below.  Please choose ONE that fits your vocal range. You may sing in your most comfortable octave.

All auditions will be sung to the audition tracks provided.  See links to the sheet music and study tracks below.

Auditioners will be scored on the following: Tone (5), Pitch (5), Diction (3), and Projection (2).

Original Track: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O7ApHvsLz_WDuaMXeJl-y0osN2aV24i0/view?usp=sharing

Accompaniment/Audition Track: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jDZqTwwxzUOARSy8rg5BHvGuhhc9Z5Is/view?usp=sharing 

I feel the room swayin’ 

For the band’s playin’  

One of my old fav’rite songs from way back when. 

So, bridge that gap, fellas, 

Find me/her an empty lap, fellas, 

Dolly’ll never go away again!

“IT ONLY TAKES A MOMENT” 

Original Track: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Oa9AUrYUFOONMj9v3XslTBYQtlwNI14f/view?usp=sharing

Accompaniment/Audition Track: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1geNMCjHZpa2lhkpVHxUKpjeu7T6X04PP/view?usp=sharing 

It only takes a moment 

For your eyes to meet and then 

Your heart knows in a moment 

You will never be alone again. 

I held her/him for an instant, 

But my arms felt sure and strong. 

It only takes a moment 

To be loved a whole life long. 

MOVEMENT: Descendants features choreographed movement for much of the cast.  Some characters will dance more than others.  Some characters do not dance at all.  Every character listed as a 'mover' should be ready to dance.  Every character in the show will have 'staging' and 'blocking' given to them for songs where dancing is not required.  

SPEAKING: Choose ONE of the monologues below and be prepared to perform it for the casting directors.  All auditioners who want a speaking role should plan to read a monologue.  Memorization is preferred.  

Auditioners will be scored on the following: Vocal Inflection (5), Diction (5), Pace of Reading (3), and Projection (2).

• DOLLY: But we will, Mr. Kemper! And not only will Horace Vandergelder give you permission to marry his niece, Ermengarde, but he will also dance at your wedding and not alone either, because I happen to be engaged in finding him a suitable second wife himself…What he really wants is someone steady to clean the house. As my late husband Mr. Levi always said, marriage is a bribe to make a housekeeper think she’s a householder. 

• VANDERGELDER: Evenings off, marrying artists…Foolishness! Ninety-nine percent of the people in this world are fools…and the rest of us are in great danger of contamination! Why, even I was once young, which was foolish; and got married, which was foolish; and was poor, which was more foolish than anything else. Then my wife died, which was foolish of her; I grew older, which was sensible of me; and became rich, friendless and mean, which in Yonkers is about as far as you can go! 

• CORNELIUS: I’m going to light this candle under them; that’s how I know. They’ll make such a smell customers won’t be able to come into the place for twenty-four hours. That’ll get us an evening off! We’re going to New York, Barnaby, and we’re going to live! We’re going to have a good meal, we’re going to be in danger, we’re going to spend our money, we’re going to be arrested…and one more thing! We’re not coming back to Yonkers until we’ve each kissed a girl! 

• MINNIE: Miss Mortimer returning this hat for the third time! Same old story, she wants more cherries and feathers…cherries and feathers, to catch a beau, I suppose, although if you ask me she’d do better with a nice heavy veil! I told her, ribbons down our back is what we’ll be wearing this summer if we want to catch a gentleman’s eye, but she’d have none of it! Cherries and feathers, on today of all days!  

• IRENE MALLOY: I am marrying Horace Vandergelder for one reason and one reason alone, Minnie! To get away from the millinery business! I hate hats! And I can no longer stand being suspected of being a wicked woman with nothing to show for it. All millineresses are suspected of being wicked women. That’s why I can’t go into restaurants or balls or theatres…that’s all the proof they’d need! Take my word for it, Minnie—either I marry Horace Vandergelder, or I break out of this place like a fire engine!

HELLO, DOLLY! CHARACTERS

Female Characters

Dolly Levi (Alto/Mezzo - Mover: G5 - G3) Mature Adult; A widow in her middle years who has decided to begin life anew. She is a matchmaker, meddler, and charismatic force of nature who uses her wit and charm to orchestrate happiness for everyone around her—including herself.

• Songs: I Put My Hand In, Put On Your Sunday Clothes, Motherhood March, Dancing, Before the Parade Passes By, Hello, Dolly!, So Long Dearie, Finale Ultimo

Irene Molloy (Soprano - Mover: G5 - G3) Young Adult; A beautiful, smart, and spirited widow who owns a New York City hat shop. She is longing for romance, adventure, and a chance to break free from her respectable, boring routine.

• Songs: Put On Your Sunday Clothes, Ribbons Down My Back, Motherhood March, Dancing, Elegance, It Only Takes a Moment, Finale Ultimo

Minnie Fay (Mezzo/Belter - Dancer: F5 - Bb3) Late Teen/Young Adult; Irene’s innocent, bubbly, and easily excited assistant at the hat shop. She is completely naive about the world and thrilled by the slightest hint of adventure or romance.

• Songs: Put On Your Sunday Clothes, Motherhood March, Dancing, Elegance, Finale Ultimo

Ermengarde (Soprano/Alto - Dancer) Teen; Horace Vandergelder's crying, dramatic, and intensely emotional niece. She is deeply in love with Ambrose Kemper and completely devastated by her uncle's refusal to let them marry.

• Songs: Put On Your Sunday Clothes, The Waiters' Gallop, Finale Ultimo

Ernestina Money (Alto - Mover) Adult; An eccentric, brassy, and intensely energetic woman who is set up on a blind date with Horace Vandergelder. She loves a good time, a lot of food, and has zero filter.

• Songs: Hello, Dolly!, Finale Ultimo

Mrs. Rose (Alto - Non-Dancer) Mature Adult; An old friend of Dolly’s from the streets of New York who sells vegetables from a cart. She represents a sweet glimpse into Dolly's past.

• Songs: Put On Your Sunday Clothes, Finale Ultimo

Male Characters

Horace Vandergelder (Baritone - Mover: E4 - Bb2) Mature Adult; The well-known, grumpy "half-millionaire" merchant of Yonkers. He is authoritarian, set in his ways, and strictly rule-driven, looking for a wife purely to manage his household chores.

• Songs: It Takes a Woman, Put On Your Sunday Clothes, Motherhood March, Hello, Dolly!, Penny in My Pocket, Finale Ultimo

Cornelius Hackl (Tenor/Baritone - Dancer: G4 - Bb2) Young Adult; Vandergelder’s charming, energetic, and overworked chief clerk. At 33 years old, he is desperate to finally leave Yonkers for just one day, go to New York City, spend all his money, and kiss a girl.

• Songs: Put On Your Sunday Clothes, Dancing, Elegance, It Only Takes a Moment, Finale Ultimo

Barnaby Tucker (Tenor - Dancer: G4 - Bb2) Late Teen; Vandergelder’s sweet, wide-eyed, and fiercely loyal junior clerk. He is easily frightened, follows Cornelius's lead implicitly, and is constantly worried about getting caught.

• Songs: Put On Your Sunday Clothes, Dancing, Elegance, Finale Ultimo

Ambrose Kemper (Tenor/Baritone - Dancer: E4 - Bb2) Young Adult; A kooky, passionate, and struggling young artist who is desperately trying to marry Ermengarde despite her uncle's fierce disapproval.

• Songs: Put On Your Sunday Clothes, The Waiters' Gallop, Finale Ultimo

Rudolph Reisenweber (Tenor or Bass - Mover) Adult; The majestic, strict, and commanding head waiter at the upscale Harmonia Gardens Restaurant. He expects absolute perfection and high speed from his staff.

• Songs: The Waiters' Gallop, Hello, Dolly!, Finale Ultimo

Any Gender Roles

Judge (No Solo Singing - Non-Dancer) Mature Adult; A New York night court judge who is easily exasperated and completely kooky, left to sort out the chaotic courtroom brawl.

• Songs: Finale Ultimo

Court Clerk (No Solo Singing - Non-Dancer) Adult; The Judge's enormous, overworked, and highly administrative assistant in the courtroom.

• Songs: Finale Ultimo

Ensemble Roles (Some Singing - Dancers/Movers) All Ages Represented; Townspeople of Yonkers, New York City Crowds, Feed Store Customers, Harmonia Gardens Waiters (including featured acrobatic dancers), Parade Contingents, and Courtroom Crowds.

• Songs: Opening Act I, I Put My Hand In, It Takes a Woman, Put On Your Sunday Clothes, Before the Parade Passes By, Opening Act II, The Waiters' Gallop, Hello, Dolly!, Finale Ultimo