NOTES FROM THE DIRECTOR
Hello, Dolly! is a long-time favorite of mine. I saw the touring company, starring Carol Channing, when I was a child. I was in the ensemble of my high school's production. I have seen countless productions of it since then, including beautiful ones at Curtain Call Theatre in Stamford and The Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck, and the Broadway revival. I music directed it at a previous school. I know this show very well, and I knew it was time for it to come back to North Salem after a 15+ year absence, with this cast.
One of my goals as the theatre director here is to expose the students to a variety of styles and genres of musicals throughout their Golden Stage Society careers. It is important for them to experience many different types of music, costumes, dance, characters, stories. They have taken to each one thus far like ducks to water; whatever the show requires, they do. And Hello, Dolly! is no exception.
This is a mammoth show. The set is giant. The costumes are voluminous and numerous. The characters are larger than life. It takes an enormous amount of time and money to put together. And it takes a lot of people to bring put this show on its feet for an audience. I must thank a few of them individually.
- Davyd Suber, our choreographer: you make everything better. Thank you for the beautiful, creative, soulful choreography that this audience will see on the stage. That waltz brings me to tears every time I see it.
- Markiss Jackson, our costume designer: working with you is a dream come true. You make these students look more gorgeous than I even imagine they will. You're amazing.
- Evan Brenner, our lighting designer: you are the gift that keeps on giving. I never have to worry about how the show will look with you working on it.
- Jan Bullard & Diane Miritello, our set designers: you came in this year and made it seem like we had been working together for years! So many people have told me how fabulous this set is. I can't wait to see what future collaborations bring.
- Tom Luekens, our sound designer: you have no idea what it means to me that you fly across the country to do the sound for my shows. You're the best sound designer around, hands down, and the best brother a girl could have.
- Kurt Gulden & crew, and Darrin Grimm, our builders: I cannot thank you enough for the time and effort you put into this show. These students are so lucky to use sets you built.
- Alexia Ryan, Luis Mosquera, Takya Velasquez, Jessica Cioce, Donna Kim, and all of the parent volunteers: you have put so much time and effort (and money!) into helping the Golden Stage Society survive and thrive. I really, truly COULD NOT have done this without your gargantuan efforts! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you have done to help.
To my dear seniors, Claire, Izzy, Jake, Lawrence, and Edon: we've spent three years and countless hours together, in Madrigal Choir and in show rehearsals. You five epitomize hard work and dedication. I have watched you grow, from Xanadu through Chicago and now in Hello, Dolly! I am excited to see where the future takes each of you, as you have so much to offer to the world. Stay grounded, stay kind-hearted, stay sweet, and please stay in touch. Each of you will forever hold a piece of my heart.
I love my job.
~ (Mrs.) Katie Chan Chee
