Next up at the Lyceum: "Hello, Dolly!"

Jo Ann Cunningham (Contributed photo) [Click to enlarge]

The Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre continues its 49th season with Jerry Herman's musical "Hello, Dolly!"

The show will run Wednesday, July 8, through Saturday, July 18.

The story is based on Thornton Wilder's play, "The Matchmaker." "Hello, Dolly!" won an impressive 10 Tony Awards in 1964, according to a Lyceum news release.

The coveted role of Dolly Gallagher Levi was greatly expanded for the musical version from the original play, "The Matchmaker."

The list of Broadway's leading ladies to play this powerful role include Mary Martin, Ethel Merman, Pearl Bailey, Ginger Rogers and Betty Grable.

Barbara Streisand took over the lead for the 1969 film version directed by Gene Kelly, with a supporting cast that included the great Louis Armstrong, as well as future stars Tommy Tune and Michael Crawford, Lyceum officials said.

Making her Lyceum debut as meddling widower Dolly Gallagher Levi is Jo Ann Cunningham.

Cunningham's resumé includes the Broadway production of "Anna Karenina" and the role of Mrs. Anna in Broadway's "The King and I" opposite the legendary Yul Brynner.

Her off-Broadway credits include "The Show Must Go On" with Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt and "The Swan Song" and "Ladies of the Corridor."

Her many national tour credits include "Into The Woods," "Meet Me In St. Louis" with Debbie Boone and "Carousel" opposite both John Raitt and Robert Goulet.

"Along with her impressive credentials, Jo Ann possesses a certain star quality that makes her absolutely perfect for this role" said Artistic Director Quin Gresham. "We feel so honored to have her here."

Playing the pivotal role of Horace Vandergelder, the well-known unmarried half-a-millionaire, is Ron Wisniski, also in his Lyceum debut.

Wisniski's national touring credits include "Beauty and the Beast," FDR in two tours of "Annie" and "TinTypes."

Off-Broadway, Wisniski has performed in George Abbott's "Frankie," "A Most Secret War" and Henrik Ibsen's "Pillars Of Society." His other credits number more than 100 plays and musicals in theatres nationwide.

Gresham observed, "Ron Wisniski is one of the funniest actors I have ever seen on stage. His comedic timing is second to none."

Another notable actor appearing on the Lyceum stage for the first time is Matt Gibson.

Gibson was recently seen on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning production of "Gypsy," starring Patti LuPone.

Along with his Broadway credentials, Gibson has been seen regionally in "Miss Saigon," "The Radio City Christmas Spectacular" and "West Side Story."

"With memorable songs such as 'Put On Your Sunday Clothes,' 'Before the Parade Passes By,' 'It Only Takes A Moment' and of course 'Hello, Dolly!' the brilliant score by the amazing Jerry Herman was the most requested show in last year's audience survey, and they won't be disappointed with this production!" said Steve Bertani, Lyceum managing director.

"'Hello, Dolly!'" is a delightfully funny musical about finding love for the first and last time," said Director of Marketing Jackie Buckley. "The whirlwind of adventures contained in 'Dolly' are what makes this show one of our most beloved musicals."

The cast features Jonathan Cable as Ambrose Kemper, Pearl Thomas as Ermengarde, Clark Ausloos as Barnaby Tucker, Sharon Malane as Minnie Fay, Ashlee LaPine as Mrs. Irene Molloy, Cary Mock playing Rudolph/Judge, Anne Marie Bills as Ernestina, along with the talented ensemble of J.P. Qualters, Stephen Petrovich, Ricardo Rique-Sanchez, Darrell T. Joe, Mason McCloud, Leo Sheridan, Galen Crawley, Liz Ali, Michael Brennan, Robin Beach Steinhaus and Debbie Krischman Davis.

The "Hello, Dolly!" production team is made up of Peter Reynolds, director; Sarah Case, choreographer; James R. Woodland, musical director; Andrew Hull, scenic designer; Randy B. Winder, lighting designer; and Garth Dunbar, costume designer.

The production stage manager is Tony Dearing. Assistant stage manager is Emilee Buchheit.

"Hello, Dolly!" is showing July 8-18. There are matinee performances at 2 p.m. on July 8, 9, 11, 12, 15, 16, 18; and evening performances at 8 p.m. on July 8, 10, 11, 17, 18.

For tickets call 660-837-3311 or visit www.lyceumtheatre.org