A musical comedy
Book by Michael Stewart
Music & lyrics by Jerry Herman
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.
Presented through special arrangement with TAMS-WITMARK, directed by Henri-Ann Nortman & Betty Vick

Auditions: May 2 & 4, 2021
Location: The Plaza Theatre
Time: 6:00PM

Performances: July 30 – August 15, 2021
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2:30pm
General Admission: $20
Recommended for general audiences

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Auditions for Hello Dolly! will be held in person at the Plaza Theatre.  Social distancing protocols will be in place.  Please register in advance to audition.

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About the Play:

This musical adaptation of Thornton Wilder’s hit play The Matchmaker bursts with humor, romance, energetic dance, and some of the greatest songs in musical theatre history. The romantic and comic exploits of Dolly Gallagher-Levi, turn-of-the-century matchmaker and “woman who arranges things,” are certain to thrill and entertain audiences again and again. The show’s unforgettable songs include “Put On Your Sunday Clothes,” “Ribbons Down My Back,” “Before the Parade Passes By,” “Hello, Dolly!,” “Elegance,” and “It Only Takes a Moment.”

Character Descriptions:

Dolly Levi: Matchmaker, widow, meddler, opportunist, life-loving, commanding, strong stage presence. Stage age: 35-50. Vocal range: alto-soprano. Dance ability: some.

Horace Vandergelder: Well-known half-a-millionaire, widower, owns the Feed Store, gruff, set in his ways, authoritative. Stage age: 40-60. Vocal range: baritone. Dance ability: some.

Cornelius Hackl: Head clerk at the Feed Store, energetic, enthusiastic, and adventurous. Stage age: 30-35. Vocal range: baritone. Dance ability: strong.

Barnaby Tucker: Assistant to Cornelius at the Feed Store, naïve, energized, follower. Stage age: 17-20. Vocal range: baritone. Dance ability: strong.

Irene Molloy: Owns the Hat Shop, widow, beautiful, smart, fun-loving. Stage age: 30-35. Vocal range: soprano. Dance ability: strong.

Minnie Fay: Irene’s assistant, naïve, straight-laced, fresh, follower. Stage age: 17-20. Vocal range: mezzo-soprano. Dance ability: strong.

Ambrose Kemper: Struggling artist, good-natured, accommodating, wants to marry Ermengarde. Stage age: 19-23. Vocal range: tenor. Dance ability: strong.

Ermengarde: Horace’s niece, whining, high-strung, wants to marry Ambrose. Stage age: 17-20. Vocal range: any. Dance ability: strong.

Ernestina: Accommodating, good-time girl. Stage age: 30-45. Vocal range: any. Dance ability: none.

Rudy: Maitre’d of the Harmonia Gardens, proper, commanding. Stage age: 40-60. Vocal range: bass. Dance ability: some.

Mrs. Rose: Street vendor (will be cast from the chorus). Stage age: 35-50. Dance ability: none.

Miscellaneous character parts will be cast from the chorus.

7-11 Waiters: Stage age: 18-58. Vocal range: even split of tenors/basses. Dance ability: strong.

7-11 Female Chorus Members: Stage age: 18-48. Vocal range: even split of sopranos and altos. Dance ability: strong.

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Audition FAQs:

What should I expect when I’m auditioning for a play? Expect the unexpected. Currently you do not need to prepare a monologue. We will probably ask you to read from the script. Let the director know if you are interested in a specific role. Reading from the script gives us an idea of who you are as a person and if we would be able to cast in you in a specific role. We may have you read a variety of roles to get a better understanding of your capabilities as an actor.

What should I expect when I’m auditioning for a musical? When auditioning for a musical expect the same scenario as an audition for a play, but you will also need to have a musical selection prepared. Accompaniment is not normally provided at auditions, so please bring an instrumental-only accompaniment CD unless you plan to sing without accompaniment.

What should I sing? Something that shows you off. We prefer show tunes, and your selection doesn’t have to be from the show you are auditioning for. Pick something you like to sing, something you feel comfortable singing and –most important–something you can sing. If you find yourself having trouble reaching a note or two in a piece, you probably want to think about having it transposed or finding another selection.