‘Hello Dolly!’ coming to NLA

• "Hello Dolly!"

New Life Academy’s production of the musical “Hello Dolly!” will open Nov. 8

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New Life Academy will be playing matchmaker on Nov. 8 when its production of “Hello Dolly!” opens.

Carole Brumley, the play director, said she decided on the play for this year’s show because it was a show the school hadn’t done before.

“We had never done anything like it before,” she said. “It was a new genre for us.”

Additionally, Brumley said she felt it would appeal to both children and adults.

“Hello Dolly!” tells the story of Dolly Levi, the well-known matchmaker, who attempts to find herself a husband in the wealthy Horace Vandergelder.

Meanwhile, she matches together rich widow Irene Molloy with Vandergelder’s employee, Cornelius Hackl. She also sets up Molloy’s assistant, Minnie, with Cornelius’s assistant, Barnaby. Further, she matches the poor artist, Ambrose, with Vandergelder’s niece, Ermengarde.

In the end, after a ruckus at an upscale restaurant and a court case, Dolly convinces Vandergelder to marry her and all is well.

Brumley said she was drawn to “Hello Dolly” because of the message at the end of Dolly giving away all of the money she inherits after marrying Horace.

“I really like the premise of it,” she said. “The fact that Dolly is all about giving her money away at the end, I felt that was a really good message to focus on.”

In addition to the message, Brumley said the other aspect of the show that she loves is the character of Dolly.

“Dolly’s character is absolutely marvelous,” she said. “I love how she can manipulate everybody.

“Plus, I love how she wants to marry this stuffy, cranky guy because he’s rich, but she doesn’t want the money for herself – she’s very selfless in her motives.”

Brumley said the show has posed some unique challenges for her in that it is very dance-driven and she has a young cast.

The cast includes no seniors.

“But the attitudes of all of the cast members are the most positive I’ve ever seen,” she said. “That’s been the best to work with.”

Brumley said she is excited for opening night.

“I’m looking forward to it all coming together,” she said. “That’s the biggest thing right now.

“We’re trying to give everyone an experience of a really fun night out.”

New Life Academy’s production of “Hello Dolly!” will run Nov. 8-10 and Nov. 16-17 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 18 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for students. Tickets can be purchased online at www.newlifeacademy.org.

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