Before Broadway ever sang “Hello Dolly!” there was The Matchmaker. The Oconto Falls High School Drama Club is currently preparing for their spring production – the play that led to the creation of that musical made famous by Barbra Streisand and Carol Channing. Written by Wisconsin native Thornton Wilder, this farce in four acts highlights the mischievous dealings of Mrs. Dolly Levi, the matchmaker.
A certain old merchant of Yonkers, NY, is so rich in the 1800s that he decides to take a wife. He employs a matchmaker, a woman who subsequently becomes involved with two of his menial clerks, assorted young and lovely ladies, and the headwaiter at an expensive restaurant where this swift farce runs headlong into hilarious complications and a series of hide and seek scenes. After everyone gets straightened out romantically and has his heart’s desire, the merchant finds himself affianced to the astute matchmaker herself. He who was so shrewd in business is putty in the hands of Dolly Levi.
Taking on the challenging role of Dolly, along with being Student Director, is senior Kiana Archiquette while the tight-fisted merchant Horace Vandergelder will be played by sophomore Camden Jackson. The rest of the cast includes: Alex Kamke, Ethan Winkler, Leah Wons, Andrea Spang, Victoria Bain-Vrba, Andrea Shamburek, Peter Murphy, Hannah Fontaine, Kraig Patenaude, Mackenzie Staidl, Adeline Pumplun, Paige Bain-Vrba, and Claudia van Houwelingen. The production is under the direction of faculty member Gayle Gander.
The Matchmaker will be presented in the Falls Area Performing Arts Center April 1 and 2 at 7:00 pm, and April 3 at 2:00 pm. Tickets will be sold at the door for the cost of $7 adults, $6 senior citizens, and $5 students. Looking for an entertaining event? Check out The Matchmaker – a piece of theatre history!