Call on Dolly! ~ From the Classroom

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Call on Dolly!

7:00 AM Signature Education No comments

Opel and the cast of Hello, Dolly!, a co-production between Signature Theatre and Ford's Theatre.
Photo: Carol Rosegg

Opel as "Mama" in Memphis.
Source: http://bit.ly/qxu3KL

It's been a while since Dolly Levi has been on the scene in DC - 18 years, to be exact. It's only fitting that her return should be performed by a Broadway veteran like Nancy Opel. A Kansas native, Opel has spent most of her career in New York City on Broadway performing in shows like Evita, Sunday in the Park with George, Memphis and Urinetown (for which she garnered a Tony Award nomination for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical).

Watch the original Broadway cast of Urinetown perform at the 56th Annual Tony Awards:

Hello, Dolly! is actually Opel's first show in the DC area and she certainly arrived with a bang:

"Nancy Opel is glowing, crowing, and going strong. Taking on the titular role of Dolly, Opel brings an impish stage presnece to Ford's Theatre, and she handles her considerable duties with ease and charm. Dolly fits Opel like a well-tailored glove."

- Broadway World

"Nancy Opel, who has a touch of Debbie Reynolds' winsomeness about her, plays Dolly in a refreshing, straightforward way. She can be very funny, without underlining things, and she allows a vulnerability to peek through"
- The Baltimore Sun

Did you also enjoy Opel's performance? Tweet her a compliment @NancyOpel.

If you haven't seen the show yet, buy your tickets here. Only 22 performances left!

Hear what Dolly! director Eric Shaeffer and Opel have to say about this unique production:

Tomorrow's Brown Bag Thursday guest will be Opel's incredible co-star Edward Gero, currently playing Horace Vandergelder in Hello, Dolly!

Be sure to join us on Thursday, May 2nd at 1pm in the Mead Lobby.

Can't make it in person? Follow @sigtheatre on twitter and use #sigbrownbag to ask Gero your questions.

COMING UP
For our May 6th Page to Stage, we'll be have a special movie night where we will be showing the 1969 film adaptation of Hello, Dolly! starring Barbra Streisand and directed by Gene Kelly. Please note that we will begin at 6:30pm instead of 7pm and as always it will be held at the lovely Shirlington Library.