WORTHINGTON — It’s time to say “Hello, Dolly!” as Worthington High School students prepare to bring the crowd-pleasing hit 1964 musical to Memorial Auditorium Performing Arts Center Feb. 23-26.
The show features comedy, romance and lively tunes complete with dancing, as the audience meets turn-of-the-century matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi — and watches her efforts to marry the wealthy, but cranky, Horace Vandergelder, devolve into comedy hijinks.
“I really love her personality,” said Gloria Gyi, the WHS senior portraying the fun-loving titular character, whose larger-than-life presence contrasts a bit with Gyi’s own quieter demeanor.
Last year, she was part of the cast of “Newsies” and “A Christmas Carol,” and was inspired to audition for the lead role after enjoying those productions.
“It’s a fun experience. It’s really fun to be a part of a musical,” Gyi said. “It’s fun to show off what you can do.”
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While Dolly is the title character and moves much of the musical’s plot, the musical has several other key roles, which helped Eric Parrish decide to do the show — he had 10 seniors to showcase, if possible, and the interweaving subplots of “Dolly” meant there were multiple significant roles to be had.
Tanner Gundermann plays Horace, a short-tempered old widower.
“He’s kind of an idiot when it comes to understanding women,” Gundermann said. “I get to shout a lot. It’s hard being grumpy all the time because I’m not like that.”
Savannah Rodriguez portrays Mrs. Malloy, a widow who owns a hat shop and is eager to set out on adventure and find love.
“I love my part,” she said, advising fellow students to participate in future musicals if they can. “Give it a shot. You will never know if you’ll enjoy it until you try it.”
The students have learned a lot about the period, Parrish said, roughly the time of the 19th amendment that granted women the right to vote — lending Mrs. Malloy, an independent-minded business owner, additional significance.
“I like to tie in those kinds of things,” Parrish said.
Another of the large parts is Cornelius, one of the play’s love interests, who gets nervous around women, and is played by Marco Ramos.
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“Honestly, this year it’s been a little challenging,” Ramos said. “The waltzing is very interesting and very fun to do, and a great learning experience.”
Parrish also wanted a show where the chorus would be significant, so he could get the younger students ready for larger roles in the future.
“Dolly” in particular also has a strong history of diverse casting, as after the original production an all-black cast with Pearl Bailey and Cab Calloway performed the show as well.
The challenging part of the show is its many scene changes, Parrish said, as the characters move from hat shops and seed stores to an upscale restaurant and even a court of law. Shop teacher John Singler worked with a dedicated crew of students to build the set, including eight different elements on wheels. One of those items is a period-accurate cash register borrowed from the Nobles County Historical Society which, due to its weight, required significant support.
Parrish likened the backstage logistics to valet parking, as plans are required to ensure no piece is “blocked off” when it’s needed — and the orchestra has to fit there too, with Kris Stewart leading a musical team of 10 students and seven community members.
He praised his students for their work ethic, professionalism and sense of responsibility.
“They all come prepared and knowing what to do,” he said.
The show, however, is light and comedic.
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“The school has such an outstanding music and performing arts (program),” Parrish said. “It makes my job easier.”
Tickets for the show are available at Memorial Auditorium, with performances at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23, 24 and 25, and at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 26. All seats are reserved. For tickets, call (507) 376-9101 or visit friendsoftheauditorium.com.
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