BEACHWOOD, Ohio — After its 1964 Broadway debut, the stage musical “Hello, Dolly!” went on to win a then-record 10 Tony Awards.
It’s original cast soundtrack album went on to climb to the No. 1 position on the Billboard chart on June 6, 1964, at the height of Beatlemania. It was replaced at the top the following week by Louis Armstrong’s album, which also happened to go by the name “Hello, Dolly!”
In other words, Dolly Levi was big that summer, as were the songs penned by Jerry Herman for the story’s score, including its rousing title track.
“‘Hello, Dolly!’ is going to have a revival on Broadway in April, with Bette Midler,” said Playmakers Youth Theatre Director Rachel Zake of one of her favorite musicals. “I love old Broadway with the feathers and the beads.”
Zake is also enjoying the opportunity of bringing “Hello, Dolly!” to the stage of Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple, 23737 Fairmount Blvd. in Beachwood. Playmakers Youth Theatre, affiliated with the Mandel Jewish Community Center, will present the musical from Feb. 23 to March 5.
The story of the colorful late 19th Century matchmaker who eventually finds love for herself is, of course, new to many of the Playmakers’ youngsters. The two cats, numbering 100 youths, are second through ninth graders.
“It’s great to introduce (the young actors) to the old Broadway shows,” Zake said. “They all know ‘Hamilton’ and ‘Wicked,’ but they don’t know the predecessors to today’s musicals.”
The upcoming production marks the first time Playmakers, which features actors from several area communities, has presented “Hello, Dolly!”
Playing the title role made famous by Carol Channing in one of the casts is Elana Rubanenko, 14, of Pepper Pike.
“She is a real character and that comes out in her speech and the way she talks and behaves,” Rubanenko said of Dolly. “She’s really over the top. I like her because she’s a lot like me.”
Rubanenko, who is taking part in her 16th Playmakers production, said she also likes singing Dolly’s songs, especially “So Long Dearie.”
On the other hand, Ben Garfield, 13, of Solon, who plays Horace Vandergelder, a set-in-his-ways widower, sees singing his three numbers as Horace as his biggest challenge.
“I’m an actor, but I’ve never really been a singer,” said Garfield, who is acting in his third Playmakers production. “That’s been a challenge, but I like to challenge myself and make myself better.”
Garfield said he likes his character.
“He’s comedic and he always thinks he’s bigger than everyone else. It’s a lot of fun playing him.”
In addition to the song “Hello, Dolly!”, attendees will also hear numbers such as “Ribbons Down My Back,” “Put on Your Sunday Clothes,” and “Before the Parade Passes By.”
“I think it’s a really great opportunity to see the up and coming actors of Cleveland in a show that isn’t done too frequently,” Zake said.
Playmakers Youth Theatre’s production of “Hello, Dolly!” will be presented at 7 p.m. Feb. 23 and 26, and March 2 and 5. It will also be presented at 8 p.m. Feb. 25 and March 4, and at 2 p.m. Feb. 26 and March 5. Tickets, at $10 for Mandel Jewish Community Center members, and $12 for non-members, will be available at the door. If purchased online, tickets cost $8 for members, and $10 for non-members. To purchase online, visit mandeljcc.org, or call 216-831-0700, ext. 1230.
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