All eyes will be on Dolly Levi, the sassy, brassy, meddling matchmaker from Yonkers, New York in the stage production of Hello, Dolly as she is serenaded by a chorus of her adoring fans: “It’s so nice to have you back where you belong.”
Indeed, Dolly will be back where she belongs on the Drendel Ballroom stage in April, when the Theater Company of Sun City presents their spring musical, Hello, Dolly!
Before speaking with My Sun Day News, Church had just returned from a fitting for her character’s costume, and the excitement in her voice was unmistakable: “It’s like an onion unfolding — during the rehearsal process you discover the characters and who they are,” she says. “It’s so exciting to see all the little pieces come together to tell the story.”
Church says the musical, synonymous with both Carol Channing (who originated the role on Broadway in 1964) and Barbra Streisand (in the 1969 film version), is “part farce, part comedy, and of course there’s music, dancing, drama, and the love story.”
“What I appreciate more than anything is all the contributions of everyone: the design, the director’s vision, the wonderful costumes, and the music. It really takes a lot of theater company members coming together, sharing their artistic talents,” she says. “This show gives a lot of opportunities for all the members of the theater company to shine.”
Church and her co-stars still find themselves laughing in rehearsals at some of Dolly’s misguided attempts at matchmaking.
“There are some really funny moments in the show that the audience is going to love,” she says. “I don’t want to give anything away. They will have to come see for themselves.”
Performances of Hello, Dolly! will be in Drendel Hall, April 25, 26, 27, and 28. For more information call 847-494-2587. Ticket sales are March 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Drendel Breakout Room, on April 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Cedar Room, and April 15 from 12:30 to 3 p.m. in the Cedar Room. Tickets are $20 cash or check. For ticket information, call 847-515-8545 or 847-515-1893.
