By Kim McDarison
Some 26 cast and ensemble members of the Fort Atkinson Community Theatre (FACT) group arrived at the Fort Atkinson High School auditorium Tuesday for a dress rehearsal of “Hello Dolly!”
The group will be performing the musical beginning Thursday, July 21, through Sunday, July 24.
Originally presented on Broadway in New York City in 1964, Hello Dolly! tells the tale of “Dolly Gallagher Levi,” a strong-willed matchmaker who travels to Yonkers, New York, where she hopes to arrange a match for a miserly and well-known unmarried “half-a-millionaire” named Horace Vandergelder. The story follows the exploits of Vandergelder, his niece, “Ermengarde,” and her intended, “Ambrose Kemper,” along with two clerks from Vandergelder’s hay and feed store, “Barnaby Tucker” and “Cornelius Hackl” as they explore the city and look for love.
The play, which was written by Thornton Wilder in 1938, began as a farce titled: “The Merchant of Yonkers,” and was revised by the author and retitled in 1955 as “The Matchmaker.”
The musical, Hello Dolly!, debuted on Broadway with lyrics and music written by Jerry Herman and a book by Michael Stewart.
Hello Dolly!, as presented by FACT, is by arrangement with TAMS-WITMARK, a Concord Theatricals Company, according to the production’s program.
On Tuesday, the FACT performers brought talent and passion as they portrayed the story’s lovable characters and amusing plot.
Performances were delivered with impeccable comedic timing, charm and exuberant dance moves, which, co-directors Jason and Holly Teeter said, flowed from the talent brought to the stage by choreographer Tessa Fitzsimmons, who also plays the role of “Stanley.”
Along with directing, Jason Teeter plays the male leading role of Vandergelder and serves as musical director, and Holly Teeter noted that the musical represents her debut as a director.
Bringing talent and presence to the stage, the role of Dolly is played by Sarah Johnson, who is performing with the FACT group for the first time, Holly said.
“The role of Dolly is iconic in the world of musical theatre,” according to the FACT Facebook page.
The page introduces Johnson, describing her talents as “amazing” and her qualities as an actor as “kind, dedicated and humble.”
On Tuesday, as she underwent several costume changes, she displayed a captivating command of the stage as well as a versatile ability to deliver humor, dance and song.
In describing his and Holly’s reasons for choosing the musical for presentation by FACT, Jason said: “Hello, Dolly! was the first musical I music directed when I was teaching, so it’s always had a special place in my heart. We saw the thrilling Bernadette Peters as Dolly on Broadway in 2018 and I recall thinking it would be fun to direct it again someday. After COVID shut down FACT’s summer musical in both 2020 and 2021, Holly and I began looking for a big show with great audience appeal to light up the stage in summer 2022. We both agreed that Hello, Dolly! was that show.”
According to the group’s Facebook page, auditions for Hello Dolly! were held in April, with rehearsals beginning in May.
Roughly 200 hours of rehearsal time by cast members were invested in the performance, Jason said. When hours dedicated by crew were added, rehearsal time easily exceeded 400 hours, he added.
As the FACT performance took form, Jason said, there were some challenges presented with pulling together all of its moving parts.
“Fortunately, we chose an amazing cast and our production team really is a dream team. We are ready and can’t wait to bring this show to life,” he said.
“This show has everything you want in a musical: an entertaining story, amazing characters, memorable songs, wonderful dancing, beautiful costumes and gorgeous scenery,” he added.
The musical takes place in two acts, with eight songs in Act 1 and seven songs in Act 2, Jason said.
“All include some level of movement, but 10 are fully choreographed,” he said. He cited the talents of Fitzsimmons, adding: “The show wouldn’t be half as good as it is without her choreography.”
Fitzsimmons, too, talked about challenges associated with choreographing the show.
Said Fitzsimmons: “One of the biggest challenges as the choreographer was coping with how massive this show is. There are so many long dance numbers that needed to be created, one of which is over eight minutes long with the included dialogue. It took a lot of time, full of trial and error, to come up with things I really loved.
“The other challenge, that has been far over-come, was teaching the choreography to a cast who had little heavy dance experience. Going into this show, I knew I wanted and needed difficult choreography. I have to admit, I was a bit nervous not knowing if I was making things too challenging. However, the entire cast has worked incredibly hard on everything I have thrown at them. They have far surpassed my wildest dreams in creating this show and I am so very proud of all of them.”
Fitzsimmons said one of her favorite dance numbers is the Polka, near the end of Act 2.
“It is not a large number and there is no singing in it. I love it because it is fast-paced and fun. The dance is comprised entirely of partner work, and it was so enjoyable to create. The Polka also happens to be the dance I created the quickest, because I so easily fell in love with it.”
As the performance took shape during rehearsals, Jason said, “as a director, nothing is more fulfilling than helping your actors evolve into their characters. This cast, whether principal or ensemble, own their roles. Seeing the show come to life and watching them succeed brings me the most joy.”
He hopes those who attend the performance will come away with a sense of “Joy and pride that their local community theater was able to stage such a beautiful production. I’m so proud of everyone involved and I want them to take pride in it as well,” he said.
FACT is in its 60th season, Jason noted.
Community theater is a form of art that enhances life in a community. He described FACT as “a staple in the community.”
Said Jason: “Life without art isn’t really life. By staging plays and musicals like Hello, Dolly!, the Fort Atkinson Community Theatre provides both our performers and audience members an opportunity to be involved in the theatrical arts.”
Fitzsimmons also cited the value of community theater, saying: “Community theater has the power to open a small, secluded town to the wider world. When community theaters take on large musicals like Hello Dolly!, ones that are performed on Broadway, the small town gets to participate in the magic large cities hold. The performers on the stage get to embody their favorite characters, created by their favorite actors. Audiences can experience a taste of what the big stages hold. So many careers have been made when small town actors fall in love with the stage and one day make it to Broadway.
“FACT’s production of Hello Dolly! is one of (its) biggest productions yet. The set pieces are incredible and detailed. The show is full of music and dance. Even better, the story is light-hearted with plenty of comedic romance involved. Hello Dolly! entertains all ages, young and old, with the lights, colorful costumes, and amazing acting.”
Performances of Hello Dolly! will be held Thursday, July 21, through Saturday, July 23, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, July 24, at 2 p.m.
The full performance is about two and a half hours long with a 15 minute intermission.
The cost of general admission is $18 per adult, and $15 for senior citizens and students.
Theater doors will open 30 minutes before each performance with “Friends of FACT” members offered seating within the theater 20 minutes earlier than those with general admission tickets. For information about becoming a Friend of FACT, visit: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?membership=fact.
To order tickets online, visit: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=138085&fbclid=IwAR2L85m7I76rvK3XvJB4iITovKNiATx2ZG1AvTrMsM63XzOaWxtHD7419mY.
According to its website, “FACT is a corporation organized and operated exclusively for the charitable, literary and educational purposes focused upon encouraging the performance and appreciation of theater arts.”
All monies earned from the group’s activities are used for the implementation of the organization’s charitable purpose, according to its website.
To learn more about FACT, visit: https://www.fortfact.org.
The cast
Members of the cast of Hello Dolly! include:
• Sarah Johnson, as “Dolly Levi.”
• Jason Teeter, as “Horace Vandergelder.”
• Amy Lothary, as “Irene Malloy.”
• Matt Johnson, as “Cornelius Hackl.”
• Matthew Sell, as “Barnaby Tucker.”
• Bronwyn Daly Bond, as “Minnie Fay.”
• Jackson Sitkiewitz, as “Ambrose Kemper.”
• Valorie Schamens, as “Ermengarde.”
• Niina Ajango Konz, as “Ernestina Money.”
• Norm Goeschko, as “Rudolph Reisenweber.”
• Penny Kinsman, as “Louie.” She also is a member of the ensemble.
• Liesl Howard, as “Danny.” She also is a member of the ensemble.
• Mary Beth Klietz, as “Hank.” She also is a member of the ensemble.
- Annie Sitkiewitz, as “Harry.” She also is a featured dancer in the ensemble.
- Naomi Schemm, as “Manny.” She also is a member of the ensemble.
- Anne Grover as “Cook.” She also is a member of the ensemble.
• Jill Winters as “Fritz.” She also is a member of the ensemble.
• Karen Wydeven as “Cook,” “Horse,” “Police Officer.” She also is a member of the ensemble.
• Paul Wydeven as “First Cook,” “Horse.” He is a member of the ensemble.
- Linda Harned as “Mrs. Rose,” “Cook,” “Police Officer” and she a member of the ensemble.
- Catherine Wilson as “Waiter,” “Paperhanger,” and she is a member of the ensemble.
- David White as “Second Cook” and he is a member of the ensemble.
- Ellen Latorraca as “Cook,” “Court Clerk,” and she is a member of the ensemble.
- Kai DeRubis, as “Waiter,” and she is a member of the ensemble.
- Aidan Howard, as “Judge,” “Waiter,” and he also serves as a member of the ensemble.
- Tessa Fitzsimmons as “Stanley,” and she serves as a member of the ensemble and the production’s choreographer.
The crew
Members of the Hello Dolly! crew include:
Set: Cathy Daly, Breck McHenry, Paul Wydeven, Daniel Converse, Mackenzie Cramlet, John Fitzsimmons, Tessa Fitzsimmons, Alex Garret-Grandt, Norm Goeschko, Anthony Gulig, Linda Harned, Jason Konz, Niina Ajan- go Konz, Yash Mohan, Valorie Schamens, Matthew Sell, Jackson Sitkie- witz, Kim Stachowiak, Tim Stachowiak, Holly Teeter, Jason Teeter, Pame- la Whitcomb, Jill Winters, Karen Wydeven, Paul Wydeven.
Costumes: Angie Griffith, Holly Teeter, Nikki Dingman, Kim Stachowiak.
Sound: Nick Dingman, Nikki Dingman, Calvin Ficenec.
Lights: John Collins, Yash Mohan.
Props: Holly Teeter, Missy Defebaugh, Lew Harned, Linda Harned, Jodi Ratcliff, Pamela Whitcomb.
Stage manager: Mackenzie Cramlet.
Asst. stage manager: Alex Garrett-Grandt.
Stage hands: Drew Bishop, Daniel Converse, Calvin Ficenec, Alex Garrett-Grandt, Maddie Griffith, John Martin, Josh Reynolds, Avie Vasquez Publicity: Niina Ajango Konz, Pamela Whitcomb.
House managers: Kim Stachowiak, Missy Defebaugh.
Box office: Pamela Whitcomb.
The full program is here: http://fortatkinsononline.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/HelloDollyProgram-FINAL.pdf.
Following are photos from Tuesday’s dress rehearsal.
“Dolly Levi,” played by Sarah Johnson, at right, hands out business cards to people she meets in New York City before making a trip to Yonkers.
“Horace Vandergelder,” played by Jason Teeter, talks about his desire to find a wife while working in his hay and feed shop.
“Ambrose Kemper,” the intended of Horace Vandergelder’s niece “Ermengarde,” meets with Dolly.
Dancers pose on the streets of New York City.
“Irene Malloy,” played by Amy Lothary, at left, and “Minnie Fay,” played by Bronwyn Daly Bond, discuss matters of the heart and women’s accessories in Malloy’s hat shop.
“Cornelius Hackl,” played by Matt Johnson, sings and dances as part of a scene where he and other men in the hay and feed shop talk about women.
“Ermengarde,” played by Valorie Schamens, dances with her intended at a restaurant in New York City.
A woman is the recipient of Dolly’s card.
Vandergelder escorts “Ernestina Money,” played by Niina Ajango Konz, to dinner in New York City.
A member of the ensemble finds a resting pose after a dance number.
Members of the ensemble participate in a parade in New York City.
Members of the ensemble dance at the train station.
Participants in the parade dance.
A dancer leaps and twirls across the stage.
Dancers participate in one of 10 fully choreographed numbers presented in the musical.
Waiters dance at the restaurant in New York City.
Chefs present food at the restaurant in New York City.
“Barnaby Tucker,” played by Matthew Sell, dances in Irene Malloy’s hat shop.
“Cornelius Hackl,” played by Matt Johnson, sings of his affection for Irene Malloy.
Dolly, from left, Ermengarde, and Ambrose, prepare to board the train in Yonkers headed for New York City.
A couple dances across the stage.
Members of the ensemble fill the stage depicting a busy street in New York City.
A couple glides across the stage as Dolly sings.
The full cast of “Hello Dolly!” gathers on stage after dress rehearsal Tuesday.
Kim McDarison photos.
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