Inside Iowa State: Iowa State University

INSIDE IOWA STATE
February 15, 2002

ISU Theatre's Matchmaker opens next week

Freshman Jyl Nordby plays Minnie Fay, a hat maker who would like a "match" made for her in the ISU Theatre production of The Matchmaker. Photo by Patrick Gouran.

by Debra Gibson
The words of Thornton Wilder will grace the stage when ISU Theatre produces The Matchmaker beginning next week.

The 1955 play, adapted from Wilder's previous work, The Merchant of Yonkers, is the story of widowed matchmaker Dolly Levi, who decides to snare the cantankerous yet moneyed Horace Vandergelder for her second husband. Her machinations involving the "matchmaking" of several other couples comically illustrate Dolly's vow to "live life to the fullest." Faculty member Jane Cox directs this production, Linda Pisano designed costumes, Brian Swanson is the set designer and student Chris Hennes is the lighting designer.

The Matchmaker, upon which the hit musical Hello, Dolly! was based, will be performed at Fisher Theater at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22, Feb. 23, March 1 and March 2, and at 2 p.m. on Feb. 24 and March 3. Tickets ($10 for adults, $9 for senior citizens and $5.50 for students and children) are available at the Iowa State Center ticket office, or by calling 4-3347.