The Fort Atkinson Community Theater group (FACT) performed the musical “Hello Dolly!” Thursday through Sunday, at the Fort Atkinson High School auditorium.
Some 26 cast and ensemble members took the stage, bringing to life the story 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 in 1964 with lyrics and music written by Jerry Herman and a book by Michael Stewart.
Hello Dolly!, as presented by FACT, was by arrangement with TAMS-WITMARK, a Concord Theatricals Company, according to the production’s program.
To learn more about the group and its upcoming auditions and performances, visit: https://www.fortfact.org.
Fort Atkinson Online was on-hand Tuesday when FACT performed a full dress rehearsal of Hello Dolly!.
Photos By Kim McDarison taken during the rehearsal follow.
“Dolly Gallagher Levi,” the leading role in “Hello Dolly!” appears on stage. The character is played by Sarah Johnson.
“Ambrose Kemper,” at right, the intended of Horace Vadergelder’s niece, “Ermengarde,” meets Dolly in New York City. Kemper is played by Jackson Sitkiewitz.
“Cornelius Hackl,” From left and played by Matt Johnson, lead clerk at the feed and hay store owned by “Horace Vandergelder,” played by Jason Teeter, and “Barnaby Tucker ,” also a store clerk played by Matthew Sell, sing about women in Vandergelder’s feed and hay shop.
Barnaby Tucker and Cornelius Hackl sing about the prospect of visiting New York City.
Barnaby Tucker waits while Cornelius Hackl works in the basement of the hay and feed shop.
Barnaby Tucker and Cornelius Hackl hatch a plan that will allow them to close the hay and feed shop so they can visit New York City.
A gentleman in the hay and feed shop sings about women.
Dolly and Ambrose Kemper talk about Dolly’s plans to visit Yonkers, New York.
Passengers read the paper as they ride transport through the city.
Singers assemble in New York City.
Dolly sings and dances with members of the ensemble.
Dolly and members of the ensemble sing at the train station.
Singers perform in the streets of New York City.
“Ermengarde,” who is the niece of Horace Vandergelder, talks about her dreams. Ermengarde is played by Valorie Schamens.
Bronwyn Daly Bond, in her role as “Minnie Fay,” arrives at the hat store where she works.
Amy Lothary, in her role as “Irene Malloy,” arrives at the New York City hat store which she owns.
A couple dances across the stage.
Horace Vandergelder visit’s Malloy’s hat shop.
Irene Malloy and Horace Vandergelder consider their match as potential spouses.
Dolly teaches Cornelius Hackl to dance.
Barnaby Tucker and Minnie Fay practice dancing.
Barnaby Tucker and Minnie Fay dance as they prepare for a night together out on the town.
“Minnie Fay and Barnaby Tucker dance.
Ermengarde and Horace Vandergelder discuss their future plans.
A member of the ensemble performs as a parade participant in New York City.
A member of the ensemble arrives on the busy streets of New York City.
Members of the ensemble dance on the streets of New York City.
A parade passes by in New York City.
A parade participant holds a sign proclaiming “Give Women the Vote.”
Parade participants dance and sing.
Dolly sings to the audience about her life and hopes.
Members of the ensemble dance.
Members of the ensemble fill the stage.
Ensemble members sing.
A woman on the streets of New York City sings.
Horace Vandergelder escorts his date, “Ernestina Money,” played by Niina Ajango Konz, to the restaurant in New York City.
Ensemble members dance.
An acquaintance of Dolly’s greets her on the street.
Dancers perform a vigorous dance, complete with full-stage leaps and bounds.
A dancer pauses before making an exit.
Dancers leap and stroll across the stage.
Horace Vandergelder dines with Ernestina Money.
A waiter prepares to deliver a meal.
The maitre d’ prepares the staff for the arrival of the evening’s dinner guests.
Waiters present their trays.
Waiters dance in advance of serving the meal.
A chef presents the food.
Waiters assemble as the chefs arrive to present the food.
Waiters dance in the restaurant.
A chef announces to the maitre d’ that Dolly has arrived by carriage.
Dolly arrives as the restaurant in New York City.
Dolly greets the wait staff at the restaurant.
Dolly dances and sings with the wait staff at the restaurant in New York City.
Dancers perform a polka at the restaurant in New York City.
Ambrose Kemper and Ermengarde dance the polka at the restaurant in New York City.
Horace Vandergelder and Dolly dine together in New York City.
Cornelius Hackl confesses his affection for his date Irene Malloy.
Stage manager Mackenzie Cramlet, at left, and co-director Holly Teeter watch the rehearsal. The performance was directed by husband-and-wife team Jason and Holly Teeter and marked Holly’s debut as a director.
A link to an earlier story about the FACT performance of Hello Dolly! with pictures is here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/facts-hello-dolly-brings-musical-comedic-charm-to-high-school-stage-july-21-24/.