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March 9, 2007

Tony award-winning musical 鈥淗ello Dolly鈥� begins March 29

With a cast of nearly 80 and an orchestra of 20, 不良研究所鈥檚 School of Visual and Performing Arts will present the Tony award-winning musical 鈥淗ello Dolly鈥� March 29, 30 and 31 at 7:30 p.m. and a matinee April 1 at 2 p.m. Performances will take place in Brown Theatre at 不良研究所.

Based on the play 鈥淭he Matchmaker鈥� by Thornton Wilder, the musical is a comedy about love and relationships, specifically the relationship between widow Dolly Levy and widower Horace Vandergelder. Audiences will be delighted by the music and dance talents of the University Chorale and the Repertory Dance Ensemble.

In January, more than 100 students and community members auditioned for the musical. The cast includes

• Laura Michelle Wolfe, senior theatre major, as Dolly Gallagher
• Adavion Wayne, senior music education major, as Horace Vandergelder
• Laura Lautzenheiser, graduate student in music performance, as Irene Molloy
• Scott Falanagan, junior music theatre major, as Corneluis Hackl
• Chas Jackson, senior at West Monroe High School, as Baranaby Tucker
• Hope Anderson, sophomore general studies major, as Minnie Fay
• Kelly Vaden, senior vocal performance major, as Ernestina
• Brent Gibert, freshman toxicology major, as Ambrose Kemper
• Carey Thiels, junior music theatre major, as Ermengarde
• Johnny Nichols. Jr., senior music education major, as Rudolph.

The show is directed by VAPA director Keith White, who has directed musicals Off Broadway, professional tours, as well as educational and community theatre. The music director is Deborah Chandler, director of Choral Activities at 不良研究所. She has conducted orchestra in both opera and music theatre. Mark Clark, 不良研究所 director of Opera/Music Theatre, will direct vocals. He has directed more than 50 operas. Robin Stephens, director of dance at 不良研究所, has performed as a featured dancer in the original companies of the Broadway Musicals 鈥�42nd Street鈥� and 鈥淒ance a Little Closer.鈥� She will direct choreography.

Boyd Wolz, interim department head of the Division of Theatre and Dance, will design the sets and lights. Wolz has an MFA from Boston University and has extensive design credits in professional theatre throughout the country. Jerri White, who has designed costumes for both professional touring and Off Broadway shows and national tours, will create the costumes.

Tickets are $15. Call 342-1414 for tickets or information.

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