For the East Hampton High School drama club, the feeling was everyone needed a lighthearted theatrical romp after last year’s very intense production of “Les Misérables.” The actors, stage crew, musicians, and team of teachers and staff — more than 60 people altogether — will put on “Hello, Dolly” this year, opening Friday, Feb. 28.
“I went to see ‘Hello, Dolly’ two years ago when it was on Broadway, and I thought it was a fun-loving, rollicking show,” Debbie Mansir, who has directed more than 40 shows at East Hampton over the last 17 years, said at a rehearsal last week. “The whole point is to give them a depth of experience. The attitude and characterizations are different. They need to hone their comedy chops in a show like this, whereas last year it was very, very dramatic.”
“Hello, Dolly” tells the story of a vivacious matchmaker, Dolly, who tries to find a suitable bride for Horace Vandergelder, whom some reviews have called “a miserly, well-known, unmarried half-a-millionaire.” Along the way there are at least three other intertwined love stories unfolding, famous songs, cheerful choreography, and, befitting an early-20th-century musical, lots of comic hijinks. Originally published in 1938 as the book “The Merchant of Yonkers” by Thornton Wilder, it was later revised, and debuted on stage in 1963 in Detroit. The following year it opened to rave reviews on Broadway and won 10 Tony Awards, including best musical.
East Hampton’s show is progressing nicely, students said, thanks in part to the closeness of the cast.
“When you get closer to show time, everyone starts coming together more and feeling like a family,” said Reghan Anderson, a senior who plays Dolly in the show. “After you spend three hours a night together, four times a week, you really get to know each other.”
“It was a little slow at the start, but it’s looking like something that will make people laugh and enjoy it,” said Colin Freedman, a senior who plays Cornelius, one of the lead roles.
Reghan said her own personality isn’t quite reflective of Dolly’s, but she’s having a lot of fun in the role. Last year, she was Cosette in “Les Misérables.”
“I like Dolly’s attitude toward life, the way she’s open and loud, but in the best way possible,” said Reghan, who has competed in national school singing competitions. “In the past I’ve played quieter roles, so this year I’m excited to go all out.”
Colin, however, said he relates to his role. In “Les Misérables,” he played Jean Valjean, but this, again, is more lively. “Cornelius is sometimes a quirky and awkward guy. It’s definitely a big step and a big role,” he said.
Kevin Chabla, a junior who plays Barnaby, another leading role, said he looked up as much history on the show as he could find, and listened to past cast recordings. “You get a better feel for it, and give a better performance,” he said. “Getting a chance to play this role is very exciting.”
Erin Cadger, a junior who plays Irene, and who played Madame Thenardier in “Les Misérables,” called “Hello, Dolly” uplifting. “I love this show,” she said. “It’s a nice change of scenery.”
The show also stars Aiden Cooper, a junior, as Horace, Alison Fioriello, a senior, as Minnie, and Han Le, also a senior, as Ermengarde. Kylie Bono, Aurora Chapman, Ethan Bennett, George Karras, and Javis Gibbons, all seniors, each have roles in the show. Anika Petruccelli, a sophomore, has been helping do the choreography, and Julianna Lester, also a sophomore, is the stage manager.
Many of the kids play multiple roles. There are 67 individual costumes, Ms. Mansir said, including many period pieces that will be rented from a professional costuming company. Two of her East Hampton theater alumni are helping her with the show. They are Dylan Greene, East Hampton’s choir teacher, who graduated in 2010 and is the vocal director for “Hello, Dolly,” and Amanda Waleko, a 2008 graduate who now teaches in Springs and helped choreograph the dances this year.
They’re still ironing out some details. Last Thursday, Reghan missed her entrance cue for the big second-act number because she was backstage learning new dance steps. Some of the guys sprawled themselves across the floor looking for a lost prop. But the harmonies are there, and the kids are spot-on with the characters, Ms. Mansir said.
In one iconic song, Reghan’s Dolly sings, “Tomorrow will be brighter than those good, old days.” It’s a symbolic moment for the seniors, who are in the midst of planning their lives after high school.
“I know I’m going to cry,” Reghan said. “It’ll be like leaving a family. You can come back, but it will never be the same. You have all good memories.”
The show will run on Friday, Feb. 28, and Saturday, Feb. 29, at 7 p.m., and on Sunday, March 1, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens. They can be reserved in advance this year in a new system. Those wishing to buy tickets can call 631-329-6462 or visit a link on the school’s main website, easthamptonschools.org.