With summer holidays on the horizon and people turning their thoughts to fun and a little R&R, Gallery 7 Theatre presents Thornton Wilder鈥檚 madcap comedy/adventure/romance, The Matchmaker, to satisfy some of those long-awaited summer delights.
Running June 10 to 25 at the MEI Theatre in Abbotsford, The Matchmaker, features the talents of 91原创鈥檚 Corryn Ginter.
鈥淭he Matchmaker is a farce with real heart. The characters, and the adventures they embark on, are great fun,鈥� said Ken Hildebrandt, Gallery 7 Theatre鈥檚 artistic director.
鈥淚 think this production will be an outstanding way to celebrate the arrival of summer.鈥�
The play follows Horace Vandergelder, a shrewd and wealthy merchant who has decided to get married. Securing the services of a matchmaker, Vandergelder entrusts his Yonkers shop to the care of his clerks while he heads to New York City in search of love.
Tired of their mundane lives and longing for romance, the clerks close up shop and embark on their own adventure to the city. Things really get complicated when they nearly run head-long in to their blustery boss in the city streets.
鈥淭he very first play I ever recall seeing was a highschool production of The Matchmaker,鈥� said Hildebrandt.
鈥淚 was so intrigued by how the actors could make people respond with laughter. In celebrating 20 years of theatre at Gallery 7, I thought it鈥檇 be fun to include the play that was a personal inspiration for getting involved in theatre.鈥�
Playing the role of Horace Vandergelder, the saavy and stormy merchant of Yonkers, is veteran performer, John Dawson. Dawson last appeared at the theatre in their production of The Diary of Anne Frank. The equally shrewd, boisterous and highly charming matchmaker, Dolly Levi, is played by Shelley Picard, who last appeared on the Gallery 7 stage in Chickens last June.
After appearing in The Tempest and numerous other productions at UFV Theatre, J.D. Dueckman returns to play Cornelius Hackl. Cornelius鈥� young associate shop clerk, Barnaby Tucker, is played by Kenzie Hall, who last appeared in Quiet in the Land.
Playing the roles of milliner, Irene Molloy, and her hat-shop assistant, Minnie Faye, are Chloe Picard and Kim Larson respectively. The two lovers, Ambrose Kemper and Ermengarde, who wish for Vandergelder鈥檚 blessing on their proposed marriage, are played by Adriel Brandt and newcomer, Ginter.
The Matchmaker runs June 10 and 11, 16 to 18 and 23 to 25, with shows at 7:30 p.m. Additional discounted matinees will be performed on June 11 and 18 at 2 p.m. at the MEI Auditorium, 4081 Clearbrook Rd., Abbotsford. Tickets for evening performances are $16 adults; $14 seniors (65+) and students; $13 groups (10 or more) and $9 for children 12 and under.
Tickets for matinee performances are $12 General and $9 for children 12 and under. They can be purchased at the House of James, 2743 Emerson Street, Abbotsford or by calling 604-852-3701 or toll free at 1-800-665-8828.
For complete details on Gallery 7 Theatre鈥檚 production of The Matchmaker and the theatre鈥檚 20th anniversary theatre season, visit www.gallery7theatre.com.
