Hello, Dolly! takes place at the turn of the 20th century, in a glitzy age of change and growth across the country. As cities like New York exploded in population, the differences between the wealthy and poor were blatant, and social image was more important than ever. This is an era that widower and matchmaker Dolly has previously secluded herself from, and one into which she attempts to gain re-entry through a second marriage. Her target? Horace Vandergelder, well known businessman and half-a-millionaire.
Through her wit and talents, Dolly manages to orchestrate a perfect day in New York City—one designed so that Horace will surely decide to marry her. Despite the risks she takes to her reputation by being a widow running her own unconventional small business, she is confident in her ability to use her skills to win Horace over in the end.
However, with the addition of Horace's two shop clerks, in the city for a day of fun away from their boss, there are more than a few complications, sparking the defiance of strict social codes and courting etiquette. The comedic adventures that ensue in New York City ultimately lead every person to their own goals, even if satisfying those goals only takes a moment to achieve.
Hello, Dolly! Is a 1964 musical with music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and a book written by Michael Stewart. The show is based on Thornton Wilder’s 1938 farce The Merchant of Yonkers, which Wilder revised and retitled The Matchmaker in 1954. Hello, Dolly! opened on Broadway in 1964, with four revivals since—all the way to 2024! This timeless production has been enjoyed by audiences across decades, and we hope that you will fall in love with it just as much as we have!
——— the Dramaturgy Team
