Twenty-five years ago, “Hello, Dolly!” was the first show to grace the stage in Jones Performing Arts Center (JPAC). This weekend, Dolly is back.
In the title role, Bethany Swiontek, a senior musical theater major, leads a cast of more than 40, with many more behind the scenes.
Freshman theatre major Walter Dodd, said he believes it is going to be a great show.
“This show has a lot of extravagant spectacles in it,” Dodd said. “There are a lot of wow-factors: two people playing a horse, crazy costumes with feathers and bright colors and other non-sense and the characters themselves are even ‘over the top’ in nature.”
He has been in theater for seven years and still loves it. His favorite part about being involved in musicals and plays is working with the cast and crew.
“You’re always with each other, so you develop friendships and strengthen the ones you have already,” said Dodd. “And because you’re always together you all can help each other with.”
Minnie Fae is Dodd’s favorite character, because she’s bubbly, energetic, and always has a smile on her face.
“She’s part of the cute factor of the show, which is always a crowd favorite,” he said. “When Barnaby and Minnie do their dance numbers, you just can’t look away.”
Minnie Fae is played by freshman musical theatre major Hailey Weiner and senior musical theatre major Heather White, and Barnaby is played by junior musical theatre major Garrett Whitehead.
“This entire show has been an adventure,” Whitehead said. “Playing opposite some of my best friends has been such a blessing. Barnaby is the goofy, easily amused sidekick, and I feel as though this is the first character that reminds me of myself. I owe a lot of my success with this part to Mary, Dr. J. and Chad because without them my work would be mediocre.”
The show has already sold more than 900 tickets in pre-sales, which is the most the musical theater department has ever sold before the show has opened. There are more than 40 people in the cast with even more added on for backstage work.
The show is directed by Mary Handiboe, a Ouachita graduate and current professor. She played Ernestina in the original showing of the play at Ouachita, which is now played by senior musical theatre majors Shay Michael and Lola McClendon.
“This is a delightful musical and our students are doing a fantastic job with the style and comedy needed for such a vintage show,” Handiboe said. “Since performing in the production 25 years ago, I have often wanted to revisit Dolly. It’s proven to be great timing with the majors we have now, coupled with the anticipation of the musical theatre reunion we’ll host in conjunction with our Saturday show.”
Several people involved in the original production will be joining the cast, including the show’s director, Gene Ellis.
“It will be exciting to watch his reaction to how we have grown as he recognizes what he helped start back in 1988.” Handiboe said.
The show opens tonight at 7:30 pm in JPAC and will run through Sunday. The tickets are ten dollars each, and current students can get one free ticket with their student ID cards.
