This story was originally published in The Wichita Eagle by David Burke, Eagle correspondent, July 12, 2024.
When Newman Director of Music Deanne Zogleman steps on stage with Guild Hall Players as the title character in “Hello, Dolly” this weekend, it’ll be a reprise of the role she had 20-plus years earlier — and with the same director.
“It’s pretty amazing to get to walk back into a role you’ve loved, and this is such a happy show,” Zogleman said. “We so need that in this world today.”
Zogleman played the role of matchmaker Dolly Levi for director Phil Speary at a community theater in Wellington more than two decades ago, and the two have tossed around the idea of a re-creation for Guild Hall Players, where Speary is artistic director.
“We both really love the show and wanted to do it again,” Speary said. “She was probably a little young to play Dolly then, and now she’s the target age to be doing Dolly now.”
For the record, various sources say Dolly could be anywhere from 35 to 60 years old, although movie and stage portrayals by well-known actresses have gone drastically over and under that margin.
“When we get in our 50s, we kind of look back on our life,” Zogleman said. “I love her because she decides to move forward with her life, and that’s exactly how I would be and how I am. I live every day to the fullest and think that’s what Dolly realizes she needs to be doing.”
Zogleman is also choreographing “Dolly,” whose 25-member cast includes Gilbert Pearce as her reluctant love interest, Horace; Matthew Purdom as Cornelius; and Viola Barnett as Irene. Paul Graves, whom Zogleman collaborates with on all the musicals at Newman University, is music directing and conducting the orchestra for “Hello, Dolly.”
Although “Hello, Dolly” has a reputation for being one of the bigger, more elaborate Broadway musicals, Speary said he has found a way to make it fit well into the space at St. James Episcopal Church.
“Some people would think it’s too big of a show for our space, but we’re doing it in a way that is kind of current with some traditional musicals,” he said.
The answer is an immersive experience, which puts the performance just feet away from the audience.
“When the audience comes into the space it’s like they’re coming into the Harmonia Gardens, which is the central location of the story,” Speary said. “Even part of the audience will be sitting at tables in Harmonia Gardens. It will be a different take.
“This affords Dolly and the other characters interacting and flirting with the audience and stuff like that, things you can’t do in a larger theater,” he added.
Speary said he was glad that he and Zogleman get another chance to work together on each of their favorite musicals.
“I love ‘Hello, Dolly,’” he said. “It’s the happiest show imaginable.”
Showtimes and tickets
All performances of “Helly, Dolly” take place at St. James Episcopal Church, 3750 E. Douglas. Tickets are $12 with a discount for students and can be reserved by calling 316-683-5686.
- 8 p.m. Thursday, July 18
- 8 p.m. Friday, July 19
- 8 p.m. Saturday, July 20
- 7 p.m. Sunday, July 21
