Millstone Middle School’s Drama Club, EAGLE PRODUCTIONS will be hitting the stage
again this March 3rd & 4th 2023 at 7 pm with this year’s performance of Hello, Dolly! The cast of 48 enthusiastic, energetic and talented students from grades 6, 7 and 8 as well as 8 staff members that will make it to the cast of this Hello Dolly! production.
Hello, Dolly! is based on the 1964 Broadway production Matchmaker, directed by Thornton Wilder. This American musical romantic comedy was made into a film in 1969 and based on a book by Michael Stewart. In 1890, all of New York City was excited because the well-known, strong-willed widowed matchmaker Dolly Levi was in town. Dolly has traveled to NY in order to find a match for grumpy Horace Vandergelder, the well-known “half-a-millionaire”. Will Dolly find a wife for this difficult man?
This production of Hello, Dolly! is Directed by Lisamarie Cappuzzo, with Musical Direction by Heather Philhower, Choreography by Emily Dotsey and Set Design and Scenery by Jackie Dawson and the Middle School Art Club and all the teachers at the Millstone Middle School. Mrs. Cappuzzo is thrilled at the excitement surrounding this production.
In the lead roles hitting the spotlight are – Makenzie Knutson (Grade 8) – Dolly Levi, Mason Hall (Grade 8) – Horace Vandergelder, Kayleigh Meagher (Grade 8) -Irene Malloy, Zackary King (Grade 8) – Hackel Cornelius, Chelsea Faulkner (Grade 7) – Minnie, Evan Italiano (Grade 7) – Barnaby, Joey Blythe (Grade 7) – Ermengarde and Chris Tulloch (Grade 7) – Ambrose. An additional 15 hard-working middle school students on stage crew and stage managers – Haley DeCaro (Grade 7), Natalie Robbin (Grade 7).
Makenzie Knutson (Dolly Levi), Mason Hall (Horace Vandergelder)
Makenzie Knutson plays the lead role of Dolly. As an eighth grader, Makenzie has participated in all three of the Millstone Township Middle School plays over the past three years.
“This year, I was much more confident and got the lead role,” Makenzie said. “It feels cool knowing that the spotlight is on me. I like the attention and I’m not afraid on stage. I’ve been singing since I was in elementary school.”
“Dolly is a matchmaker character who loves meddling, gossip, and drama. I’m a lot like Dolly. I have set up a couple friends – I think three so far. I know drama. Dolly is loud and my friends say I can be loud. When I act like Dolly, I think it may be an older version of me. She dances more than I do in real life though.”
Since Makenzie had such a terrific experience last year in the play Footloose, she never thought it could get any better than that. “Last year was amazing. I’ve met more friends this year and I’ve gotten closer to the cast and crew. I’ve expanded my friend group. I talk to a lot more people and I’m closer to so many in this cast. I love everyone here,” she said. “It’s like one big family.”
“I’m really glad I joined the play each year in middle school. I hope everyone will enjoy watching this play as much as I enjoy being in it. I know I will look back on this and be really happy,” Makenzie said.
Kayleigh Meagher (Mrs. Malloy), Zack King (Cornelius), Chelsea Faulkner (Minnie), Evan Italiano (Barnaby)
Eighth grader Mason Hall is portraying Horace Vendergelder, characterized as ‘mean, grumpy and rude” by Mason.
“I try not to mirror Horace,” Mason said, “but I do follow a little. I act mostly grumpy, but not aggressive. I’m good at acting so I can change my emotions without really being mad and I pretend to be grumpy. It’s easy for me to do that.”
Hello, Dolly! is the second play where he played a lead role. As Mason has taken some advanced acting classes and has enjoyed his experiences on stage, his parents have greatly encouraged him to continue.
The role of Cornelius Hackle is performed by eighth grader Zackary King. Zackary sees many similarities between himself and this character.
“Cornelius is energetic and happy – similar to me,” Zackary said. “Last year I played Chuck in the play Footloose. He was a bad guy. It was a supporting role. Sometimes it’s harder to play one of those roles.”
Evan Italiano (Barnaby), Zack King (Cornelius)
“Acting and singing, are my strong points, dancing, not so much. I may want to audition for the play next year when I go to Allentown High School. I went to Actors Playground in Freehold in the past and it was helpful. I have another audition next week for a play. This may be a possible career path for me.”
Zackary had terrific advice for someone thinking of auditioning for the play next year.
“Go on stage and audition and sing. Look up at the lights. Pretend your mom or someone you really like is in the audience.”
Chelsea Faulkner (Minnie), Kayleigh Meagher (Mrs. Malloy)
Eighth grader Kayleigh Meager plays Mrs. Malloy, a widow and matchmaking client of Dolly. “Mrs. Malloy sings pretty songs about looking for love,” Kayleigh said. “She is hopeful that someone will come along but she doesn’t expect to fall in love. She thinks you can only fall in love once.”
Kayleigh thinks she is similar to Mrs. Malloy in some respects. “She’s not very bold and can get things done when she needs to – like me. I love to sing and dance and enjoy musical theater.”
“The cast and crew have become like family. They are all incredible! If you join, you will have such fun and love it, too.”
The advice given by the four students to students who may be considering auditioning for the play was “Go for it!” They encouraged others to audition and give it a try because it can be a lot of fun. They suggest that it’s important to practice and seek help from others when needed and that it’s okay to make mistakes and even forget your lines because you have the support and encouragement from the other cast members and staff. They all thanked their parents, cast and crew for their assistance in making the play Hello, Dolly! such a wonderful experience.
Lisamarie Cappuzzo the Director of Hello, Dolly! beams with excitement as she describes the students and volunteers who have made this production memorable for her and everyone involved.
“It has been a long time since we have done an older show and truthfully, the older ones are really my passion – and what hooked me when I was in middle school!” Mrs. Capuzzo said. “I think it’s so important to expose the students to classic American Broadway musical comedies, so we knew we had to go in that direction this year.”
Hello, Dolly! had been on their radar for a while. It was also the Musical Director’s favorite.
“It’s a very big musical, not often done by middle schools but we decided to go for it! At first, we weren’t sure how the students would take to it. Luckily, they were not only on board, but up for the challenge, and I have to say, they really get it! They get the jokes, the style of the music and dance, and the bright, energetic characters. I am so excited at how they have embraced the show while making it fresh – making it their own.”
Mrs. Cappuzzo gave special thanks to all of the amazing parent volunteers and the costume crew led by Dana Januszka.
“They have worked tirelessly to make sure that each and every cast member looks like a Broadway star! Even though a lot of the costumes were rented, they took the time and care to make sure everything fit right, adding all sorts of accessories and focusing on every little detail! They certainly helped bring the bright, colorful 1890’s world of Hello, Dolly! to our stage.”
Don’t miss Eagle Productions’ performance of Holly, Dolly! March 3rd and 4th at 7pm at the Millstone Township Middle School Performing Arts Center, 5 Dawson Court, Millstone Twp, NJ 08535. Tickets can be purchased online from February 14 through March 4 for $8 (students/seniors) and $9 (adults) at mpac.thundertix.com. On March 3rd and 4th, tickets can be purchased at the door for $10 (all seats).
Hello, Dolly! is presented by arrangement with Tams-Witmark, a Concord Theatricals
Company, original Production Directed and Choreographed by Gower Champion. Produced for the Broadway Stage by David Merick and Champion Five, Inc.Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman www.concordtheatricals.com