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Directed by Neil Butler Choreography by Jill Benson Musical Direction by Delph Richards
SYNOPSIS Act I Widowed but brassy matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi makes a living through what she calls "meddling" – matchmaking and numerous sidelines including dance instruction and mandolin lessons. She travels to Yonkers, New York to visit her client, grumpy Horace Vandergelder, a prominent citizen and wealthy bachelor in need of a wife to tend to himself and his home. It is soon clear, however, that Dolly intends to marry Horace herself and to "send his money circulating among the people like rainwater," the way her late husband taught her. At Vandergelder's Hay and Feed Store in Yonkers, Dolly convinces Vandergelder, his two stock clerks, Cornelius Hackl and Barnaby Tucker, his weepy niece Ermengarde, and her artistic beau Ambrose Kemper, to "put on [their] Sunday clothes” and take the train to New York City. Cornelius, Barnaby, Dolly and Horace all arrive at the hat shop of widow Irene Molloy. Dolly cleverly steers Horace away from Irene, with whom she is supposed to be setting him up, and instead arranges a match between the two clerks and the bored milliner and her perky shop assistant, Minnie Fay. Dolly catches up with the annoyed Vandergelder as he is playing in a band during the great Fourteenth Street Association Parade, and she convinces him to give her matchmaking one more chance. She tells him of a lonely heiress that would be perfect for him, and asks him to meet her at the swanky Harmonia Gardens that evening. Alone, she decides to put her dearly departed husband Ephram behind her, and move on with life "Before the Parade Passes By".
Act II Dolly has now arranged for everyone to meet at the Harmonia
Gardens. Ermengarde and Ambrose have entered the polka competition,
so Ambrose can demonstrate his ability to be a bread winner to Uncle
Horace. Cornelius and Barnaby are taking Irene and Minnie there on
a date and are determined to get a kiss before the night is over.
As the clerks have no money for a carriage, they convince the girls
that walking to the restaurant shows that they've "got elegance".
At the Gardens, Dolly makes her triumphant return and is greeted in
style by the restaurant staff ("Hello, Dolly!"). A web of
complicated entanglements ensues, culminating in a free-for-all and
a trip to night court. Cornelius professes his love for Irene, Barnaby
for Minnie, and Ambrose for Ermengarde. Dolly convinces the judge
that the only thing everyone is guilty of is being in love. Everyone,
that is, except Mr. Vandergelder. Back at the hay and feed store,
Cornelius and Irene, Barnaby and Minnie, and Ambrose and Ermengarde
are each setting out on their own. A chastened Horace Vandergelder
finally admits that he needs Dolly in his life, but Dolly is unsure
about the marriage until her late husband sends her a sign –
Vandergelder repeats a saying of Ephram's: "Money is like manure.
It's not worth a thing unless it's spread about, encouraging young
things to grow."
Click here to view Hello, Dolly! production photographs
Click here to view Hello, Dolly! movie clips
Cast List
SONG LIST Act I
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