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March 9, 2007

Tony award-winning musical “Hello Dolly” begins March 29

With a cast of nearly 80 and an orchestra of 20, ULM’s School of Visual and Performing Arts will present the Tony award-winning musical “Hello Dolly” 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 ULM.

Based on the play “The Matchmaker” 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 ULM. She has conducted orchestra in both opera and music theatre. Mark Clark, ULM director of Opera/Music Theatre, will direct vocals. He has directed more than 50 operas. Robin Stephens, director of dance at ULM, has performed as a featured dancer in the original companies of the Broadway Musicals “42nd Street” and “Dance a Little Closer.” 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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