Hello Dolly to be performed by St. Joseph HS

THG/Julie Fink
Members of the cast and crew of St. Joseph HIgh School’s performance of Hello Dolly. Performances are scheduled for April 25, 26 at 7 p.m. and April 27 at 2 p.m. in the St. Joe Elementary School Gymnasium.

by Julie Fink, Gazette Staff Writer

St. Joseph High School brings a performance of Hello Dolly, a masterful musical old-style Broadway show to Hammonton on April 25, 26 and 27.
Director Robert Natiello promises to entertain and enlighten audiences with a musical extravaganza performed by dedicated and talented students.
“These kids are spectacular,” he said.
The Tony award-winning Broadway version of Hello Dolly was written by Michael Stewart with music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and performed by Carol Channing in 1964.
The story highlights the busy life of Dolly Levi, a mature New York woman with a tremendous zest for life.
After the death of her husband, Dolly’s daily focus is on the business of survival.
To survive, Dolly finds herself working as a match-maker and short-distance hauler, she pierces ears and makes varicose veins vanish, and she happily meddles into everyone’s affairs.
But sadly, each night Dolly finds herself returning to an empty home and her cat.
Using her match-making talents, Dolly successfully sends several young couples to the alter and somewhere along the line decides to use the talents on herself to find her perfect match.
According to Natiello, the street-smart match-maker of the late 1800s decides to use her special talents for herself and catch a well-known unmarried half-a-millionaire Horace Vandergelder before “the parade passes her by.”
The classical musical performance has been double cast, according to Natiello.
“It was a difficult year in choosing cast members. There is a tremendous amount of musical talent, it would have been a disservice to choose just one set of students to play the major roles,” he said.
According to Natiello, the students involved in the play, from the cast to the stage crew are truly dedicated.
“Almost every one of them is involved in some other club or sport, yet they are still here. They are off stage doing their homework. This is true dedication,” he said.
He added that with three weeks to go until opening day, the students are practicing without scripts and at a point where it is just about polishing their performances.
“This shows how dedicated they are,” he said.
The stage will be set in 1890’s New York City complete with a Yonkers Railroad station and the Harmony Gardens dining dance hall.
The signature red staircase will allow Dolly to make her grand entrance to the song Hello Dolly while 18 dancers perform the Waiters Gallop dance routine.
The role of Dolly will be played by Nicole Giapoutzis on Thursday and Saturday’s performances and Rebecca Geisenhoffer on Friday and Sunday’s performances.
The role of Minnie Fay will be played by Lisa VillaMil on Thursday and Saturday’s performances and Carly Moffa on Friday and Sunday.
The role of Irene Molloy will be played by Gabriel Marie Suriano on Thursday and Saturday and Elizabeth Higgins on Friday and Sunday.
The role of Ernestina will be played by Natalie Hernisey, the role of Ambrose will be played by J.J. Furgione, the role of Horace will be played by Jon Yu, the role of Ermengarde by Kelly Nixon, the role of Cornelius by Raymond Vant, the role of Barnaby by Nick Mackara, the role of Mrs. Rose by Maggie Geisenhoffer, Rudolph by Michael McQueen, the roles of Stanley and the Judge by Daniel Kwasniewski, Court Clerk by Olivia Olive, and the role of the first policeman will be played by Christian Raubertas and the second policeman by Jarred Bianchin.
According to Natiello, eight of our cast and eight of our stage crew members are seniors.
“They will be missed dearly. They have done a fabulous job through their high school years,” he said.
Additionally, he praised the efforts of the parent’s involvement and volunteerism with the play.
“We have such wonderful parents. The cooperation by them has been wonderful. It is their participation and volunteerism that is making this happen,” he said.
The Producer of the play is Lynn Domenico. The Musical Coordinator is Candace Perakovich. Lights, Sound and Set Coordinator is Steven Vant. Choreographer is Jean Ann Principato, and Set Designer Lucille Natiello.
Performances will be Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 27 at 2 p.m. at the St. Joseph Elementary School Gymnasium.
Tickets are $5 and will be sold at the door. For more information contact the school at 561-8700.