E J Cooper High School - Talons Yearbook (New Hope, MN)

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— After a long absence, Dolly Levi is welcomed back to the Harmonia Gardens. | While dining. Horace Vandergelder (David Webber) becomes outraged by Emestina Money's (Shannon Smith) outlandish behavior. [| Dolly Levi warns Vandergelder of the fate that could be his, prior to her singing So long. Dearie. Musical — 25

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Time Hurts Show At the auditions for “Hello, Dolly! ' Neal Luebke announced that the reason for the late start was his and julie Rask's last-minute decision to co-direct. The play, adapted from Thorton Wilder's, “The Matchmaker, is about a woman whose every day profession is arranging for people to get married or to fall in love, whichever comes first. The musical version added more comedy and spirited dance numbers, such as the nighly energetic “Waiter's Gallop to the show producing the entertaining, idealistic musical. Dolly Gallagher-Levi (Sheryl Brame) supposedly sets up Horace Vandergelder (Dave Webber) to marry Irene Molloy (Lisa Wald) but secretlv plots to marry Vandergelder herself. Comical subplots are woven into the scene as Vandergelder's clerks decide to have some fun themselves and experience New York, to spend their money, have a good meal, get arrested and to kiss their first girl. Much to their surprise, Cornelius Hackl (Jon Kohnen) and Barnaby Tucker (Eric Rautio) accidentally meet Vandergelder in a restaurant. Chaos breaks loose. In the midst of anarchy, Cornelius falls in love with Irene, Barnaby waltzes off with Minnie Fay (Wendy Waszut), and Dolly marries Horace. A problem arose when most of the leads caught spring colds and temporarily lost their voices. In spite of this, things worked well, according to dance captain, Paul Seavey. There was a lot of dedication that helped pull things together to make the snow what it was. During the finale, the waiters and chorus welcome Dolly (Sheryl Brame) to her new home. At the Harmonia Gardens Restaurant, Cornelius Hackl (Jason Scherschligt) surprises Irene Molloy (L Wald), Minnie Fae (Wendy Waszut) and Barnaby Tucker (Eric Rautio) with his request for champagne. 24 — Musical

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Travail Pays Off Nerve-racking auditions for Hello, Dolly! began on January 6, and with cries of joy and sorrow, the cast list was finally posted on January 19. For the next six weeks the cast committed themselves to hard work and dedication in order to get the show ready by opening night. Rehearsals were held every day after school as well as on holidays and some weekends. Helping with choreography were Leeann Herbert and Mark Swanson, who understudied Cornelius Hackl in the Broadway Touring Company's production of Hello, Dolly! starring Carol Channing. Student dance captains were Julie Schirmacherand Paul Seavey. Neal Luebke and Julia Rask returned to co-direct the musical. Choir teacher, Paula Holmberg, directed the vocal portion of the show, and Roger Thompson conducted the orchestra. For both, it was their first show at Cooper. Stan Hahn supervised the technical crew which included the actors who put in their six hours of required technical work. Angie Lee served as stage manager for the production. A large parent committee helped out with tech and provided food for the cast during the all day rehearsals. Cast member Loren Overby said, The lasagna was great, and the fresh fruit was exactly what I needed to give me the energy for another five hours of practice. 26 — Musical