“Hello, Dolly!” is a blockbuster Broadway musical that follows the exploits of meddling matchmaker Dolly Levi over one “unforgettable day.”
Sara Mackie will play widow, matchmaker, and professional meddler Dolly Levi in the Carnegie Theater’s upcoming production. Mackie is seen frequently on local stages, including Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, Human Race Theatre Company, and Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. At The Carnegie, Mackie received acclaim for her appearances in “Pump Boys And Dinettes” and a concert production of “Camelot.”
Allen R. Middleton will play Horace Vandergelder, returning to The Carnegie where he appeared in “Proof and Tenderly: The Rosemary Clooney Musical.” Middleton is also a familiar face to audiences at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati and Falcon Theatre.
Horace’s shop clerks, Cornelius and Barnaby, are played by Jack Manion and Matthew Callas. Manion was celebrated for performing as the Scarecrow in The Carnegie’s 2016 production of “The Wizard of Oz.” Callas, a student at Xavier University, will make his Carnegie debut.
Kara Ann Scullin will play hat shop owner Irene Molloy. Scullin, a Cincinnati native, returns home after graduating from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She has been seen locally at The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Landmark Productions, and Kings Island. Her shop assistant, Minnie Fay, is played by Wright State University student Aliya Pimental.
Carson Mehlbauer, an acting student at the University of Cincinnati—College Conservatory of Music, will play Ambrose Kemper opposite Campbell County High School senior Arabella Bertucci as Ermengarde. Bertucci previously appeared at The Carnegie in “Singin’ In The Rain” and “The Sound Of Music.”
The ensemble features Christian Arias, Hunter Broyles, Randolph Geers, Emily Hilbrecht, Zac Holman, Adrian Graff, Elexis Selmon, and Alexa Mueller. The teen ensemble includes Elli Maddock, Jenna Uterstaedt, and Kavan Vadivelu.
The production is directed by Joe Bertucci, a director and educator making his Carnegie debut. Bertucci leads the Northern Kentucky Institute for Arts Education, a program of the Northern Kentucky Cooperative for Educational Services. Elizabeth Vandewater will choreograph.
University of Cincinnati—College Conservatory of Music faculty member Steve Goers is the Music Director. Most recently at The Carnegie, Goers led music on “Kinky Boots,” “Guys And Dolls,” and “Singin’ In The Rain.”
The show runs Feb. 2-18, 2024. Tickets to “Hello, Dolly!” may be purchased by calling (859) 957-1940 or at The Carnegie’s website.