Eighty fourth through eighth grade performers took part in the Children’s Theatre of Winnetka production of “Hello, Dolly!” from April 27 through April 30.
The musical was staged in Rudolph Matz Hall at Winnetka Community House in Winnetka.
“I’m very happy, the kids are having fun, it’s totally double cast,” said co-director Barbara Weldon of Winnetka, CTW co-founder.
This was the final CTW production for Weldon, who is retiring as a director after 43 years. “Hello, Dolly!” is co-directed by Holly Francis.
Founded in 1974, CTW, a not-for-profit volunteer organization, offers two productions in autumn and spring annually in partnership with Winnetka Community House, a not-for-profit organization.
Based on Thornton Wilder’s “The Matchmaker,” the musical “Hello, Dolly!” was written by Michael Stewart, with music and lyrics by Jerry Herman.
“Hello, Dolly!” premiered on Broadway in 1964, starring Carol Channing as Dolly. The 1969 film starred Barbra Streisand in the lead. The newest large-scale revival on Broadway is a sell-out and stars Bette Midler in the lead role and David Hyde Pierce as Horace Vandergelder.
The setting is during the end of the 19th century in New York City when widow, entrepreneur and matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi hopes to marry the wealthy Vandergelder, who is in the market for a suitable wife.
“He’s the very grumpy one,” said Ryan Ellis, 14, a Wilmette Junior High School eighth grader who plays Vandergelder. “He’s got some good, but he just doesn’t know it.”
“Hello, Dolly!” teaches a lesson about confidence, Ellis said: “If you don’t try something new, then what’s the point of living?”
Katie Klaskin and Evie Wigdale of Winnetka are cast as Dolly Levi.
“When you first get it (the lead), it’s like ‘Whoa! You’re the title character!'” Klaskin said. “But after you get into rehearsals and you’ve been doing it for a while, it almost comes naturally because you start getting into the groove. You kind of see yourself playing into the character.”
Julie Oelerich of Winnetka plays Minnie Fay.
“She’s a teenager who just likes to have good time,” Oelerich said of her character. “She’s very bubbly, a little ditzy. All she wants is an adventure.”
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.
