Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto

HELLO, DOLLY!

Dolly Levi, that is (uncertain age; impoverished elegance; large, shrewd but generous nature, an assumption of worldly cynicism conceals a tireless amused enjoyment of life.) is but one of the unforgettable characters you may be if you read with us in September.

• When:     Monday September 11 at 7:00 and Tuesday September 26 at 7:00
• Where:    The Penthouse at Tan Plaza   
                       580 Astradero Rd., Palo Alto
• What:      THE MATCHMAKER by THORNTON WILDER
• Who:       UUCPA Thespians
• Why:       To have an “adventure”.

Thornton Wilder has written many plays on diverse subjects, but they all have one thing in common: their humanity.  His characters always turn out to be “nice”.  Yes, even Horace Vandergelder (sixty, choleric, vain, and sly) at the beginning ends up being likeable at the end.  His clerk, Cornelius (thirty-three; mock-deferential) and apprentices, Malachi (fifty; sardonic;  apparently innocent smile; pretense of humility) and Barnaby (seventeen; round-faced innocence); as well as the hat-maker, Irene Malloy (attractive; thirtyish; craves adventure), and her young assistant Minnie (teenager; shy, timid) are lovable from their first appearance.  You’re bound to have a good time being any of these people for a coupe of hours in September.  I bet  you’ll feel good if you end up with a minor role, such as Vandergeldt’s niece Ermingarde (twenty-four; pretty, sentimental), her suitor Ambrose (thirty, dressed as an artist), or her aunt Flora Van Huysan (fifty, florid, stout and sentimental).  In fact, even the bit parts such as Joe, the barber (fifty, lanky, mass of gray hair falling into his eyes) and Rudolph, the waiter (tall “snob” waiter, alternating between cold superiority and rage.  German accent) are a pleasure to read.

Really, you can’t go wrong.  And just as we did in the summer, we’re going to read this place TWICE.  Reserve your role at either reading now, and I’ll send  you directions to Tan Plaza (we’re being bumped by Hotel de Zink for this month only).  Call me or send an email to  thespians-info@uucpa.org .  Or you can just show up and take your chances (but you must be there by 7:00 sharp).

- - Philip Hodge  Chair of Thespians