'Hello Dolly!' Bows In Cranford Friday

CRANFORD, NJ - Cranford High School Performing Arts Department is set to open the musical "Hello, Dolly!" on Friday and close the run Sunday.

The musical first appeared on Broadway in 1964 and has been revived four times, most recently in 2017 with Bette Midler. The original production with Carol Channing won ten Tony Awards®, a record held for decades. "Hello, Dolly!," with book by Michael Stewart and lyrics and music by Jerry Herman, is based on Thorton Wilder’s 1955 play The Matchmaker.

The story follows the life of Dolly Levi (Nora Sullivan) as she travels to Yonkers, NY in pursuit of finding a match for the well-known half-a-millionaire Horace Vandergelder (Noah Wohlsen). Along the way, she interacts with many other characters including Horace’s employees, Cornelius Hackl (Daniel Klimko) and Barnaby Tucker (Max Wisnefski); New York widow and hat shop owner, Irene Molloy (Katrina Wischusen) and her assistant Minnie Fay (Rose Michetti); and young artist Ambrose Kemper (Andrew Gordon), who is interested in marrying Horace’s niece, Ermengarde (Erin Blake). Other notable roles include Ernestina Money (Katie Manhardt), Rudolf Reisenweber (Matthew Mallick), Judge (Elizabeth Molfetto), and Mrs. Rose (Melanie Gabel). The ensemble of "Hello, Dolly!" consists of 33 students who add drama, singing, and excitement to each scene.

"Hello, Dolly!" will be performed in the Cranford High School auditorium on March 8, 9 and 10. The dress rehearsal on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. will be free admission for senior citizens. The performances on March 8 and 9 will be at 7:30 p.m. with the matinee on March 10 at 2 p.m.

“It Only Takes A Moment” to reserve tickets in advance online at chs.booktix.com for $15, but tickets are also available at the door. Student rush tickets will also be available for $10 at the door for each performance with a valid student ID. The Cranford Public Schools Permitted Items Policy will be in effect for all three performances; large bags and purses will not be allowed into the auditorium.

For additional information about "Hello, Dolly!" at Cranford High School, contact Elizabeth Sheehan at sheehan@cranfordschools.org or Erica Morreale at morreale@cranfordschools.org, or call 908-709-6272.

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