Hello, Dolly! – March 28-30, 1974
“Hello, Dolly!” is a classic American musical with music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and a book by Michael Stewart. The musical is set in the 1890s and tells the story of Dolly Gallagher Levi, a matchmaker and widow, as she travels to Yonkers, New York, to find a suitable spouse for the wealthy and cantankerous bachelor, Horace Vandergelder. Here’s a summary of the plot:
Act 1:
The story begins in New York City, where Dolly Gallagher Levi is a well-known matchmaker. She receives a letter from Horace Vandergelder, a wealthy and gruff merchant, asking for her assistance in finding him a new wife. Dolly is secretly in love with Horace and decides to manipulate events to ensure that she herself becomes his new wife.
Dolly travels to Yonkers, where she meets Horace’s employees, Cornelius Hackl and Barnaby Tucker, who yearn for adventure and romance. Dolly encourages them to embrace life and go to New York City.
Meanwhile, Horace intends to propose to Irene Molloy, a widowed milliner. However, Dolly arrives in Yonkers and successfully manipulates the situation, causing Horace to rethink his plans.
Act 2:
In New York City, Cornelius and Barnaby find themselves in Irene Molloy’s hat shop. Both men pretend to be wealthy to impress Irene and her assistant, Minnie Fay.
Dolly encourages the blossoming romances between Irene and Cornelius and Minnie Fay and Barnaby while also ensuring that Horace becomes increasingly interested in her.
In a restaurant, the characters all cross paths, leading to humorous and chaotic misunderstandings. Ultimately, the couples pair off, with Cornelius and Irene, Minnie Fay and Barnaby, and even Horace and Dolly finding happiness in their own ways.
Act 3:
The musical culminates in the Harmonia Gardens Restaurant, where Dolly and Horace attend the high-society event of the season. Dolly orchestrates a grand and elaborate reconciliation between Horace and the others, revealing her true feelings for him.
In a memorable and show-stopping moment, Dolly performs the title song “Hello, Dolly!” and declares her intent to marry Horace. The couple dances together, and Dolly’s matchmaking skills have brought love and joy to everyone involved.
“Hello, Dolly!” is known for its catchy songs, including the titular song, “Before the Parade Passes By,” and “It Only Takes a Moment.” The musical explores themes of love, ambition, and the power of human connection, all set against a backdrop of humor and charm.
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