'Dolly' will make matches on Colts Neck H.S. stage

COLTS NECK - "Hello Dolly," one of America's most beloved musicals, will return to the stage as the Colts Neck High School drama club introduces Dolly Gallagher Levi, a refined matchmaker extraordinaire, to a new generation of fans.

Performances are scheduled for March 30 at 7:30 p.m., March 31 and April 1 at 8 p.m. and April 2 at 2 p.m. The high school is at Route 537 and Five Points Road.

The musical, based on Thornton Wilder's 1955 comedy, "The Match-maker," is about the widowed Dolly Levi, played by sophomore Michelle Tanen, a matchmaker who has decided to find herself a husband in the wealthy Horace Vandergelder, played by sophomore Evan Preminger.

As Dolly pursues Horace, she still finds time to light the spark of romance between Vandergelder's young niece Ermendgarde (Tara Dyevoich, freshman) and the cautious Ambrose Kemper (Zach Trebino, junior); the widow Irene Molloy (Michelle Crane, junior) and a naive Cornelius Hackl (Paul Pontrelli, junior); and between Barnaby Tucker (Tony Rugnetta, junior) and Minnie Fay (Heidi Schoenenberger, junior).

"This is a lively musical about love," said Allyson Glasser, drama club adviser and director. "This show is not only about falling in love, but also about the beauty of realizing who you are -

and that you can love and be loved

in return."

Joining Glasser as assistant director is senior Greg Mantagnino.

Other performers include seniors Bryce Walsh, as Rudolph Reisenweber, Tracey Jacobowitz, as Mrs. Rose, and Erik Doughty, as a cook; sophomores Zara Feingold, as Ernestina, Charlie Easton, as Stanley, and Joe Torcivia, as a cook; and freshmen William Patterson, as the judge, George Mott, as the court clerk, and Carter Schwartz as a policeman.

The performers are joined by a chorus of singers and dancers who will perform a score that includes well-known songs such as "Hello Dolly," "Put on Your Sunday Clothes" and "Before the Parade Passes By."

Singers and dancers include seniors Faina Khavkin and Loren Pugliesi; juniors Nikki Mazzara, Danielle Richards and Alexis Rosenwald; sophomores Sarah Calvanico, Merry Cohen, Allie Doughty, Natalie Farah, Rachel Fein-gold, Allison Fiasconaro, Dana Gans-man, Alex Plenzo and Jill Schiazza; and freshmen Jessica Canose, Abbey Clyne, Gabby Gerbino, Brooke Girard, Elaina Montagnino, Heather Otten and Grace Paras.

The Colts Neck High School band will accompany the performers under the direction of music teacher Jack Maniaci. Denise Barry, drama club consultant, returns as the choreographer. Admis-sion to all performances is $9.