Production History
Photo Gallery
Vincent Hamman, as Barnaby Tucker and Dan Hopman, as Cornelius Tucke, right, pose before a rehearsal of Girl Friday Productions' 'The Matchmaker' at the Andy Boss Thrust stage in St. Paul on Monday, July 6, 2015. (Pioneer Press: Holly Peterson)
Sam Pearson, as Ambrose Kemper and Liz Hawkinson, as Ermengarde, right, pose before a rehearsal of Girl Friday Productions' 'The Matchmaker' at the Andy Boss Thrust stage in St. Paul on Monday, July 6, 2015. (Pioneer Press: Holly Peterson)
Quotes from the press
“Girl Friday Productions makes a perfect match with ‘Matchmaker’”
—Star Tribune
“Nostalgic, yet radical in its cry for people to loosen up, let go, question authority, and follow their bliss.”
—Lavender Magazine
“Girl Friday’s production brings spirit, warmth and resonance.”
—Pioneer Press
“There are terrific performances up and down the large cast, creating a beguiling reality populated with ideas that are still worth hearing.”
—City Pages
“With a funny and poignant story about love, money, and adventure, smart period set and costumes, a cast that is sheer perfection, and direction that keeps it all running smoothly, this Matchmaker is an absolute delight from top to bottom, start to finish.”
—Cherry and Spoon
“This exquisite mounting by Girl Friday Productions makes it evident that even though The Matchmaker's premise is locked into a time gone by, it still offers abundant fun and a tug at the heart.”
—Talkin’ Broadway
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
The Matchmaker
By Thornton Wilder
July 9-26, 2015
Directed by Craig Johnson
Thornton Wilder’s hilarious farce about love, money and adventure features the signature humanity, wit and relevance of one of America’s greatest playwrights. When wealthy merchant Horace Vandergelder engages the services of legendary matchmaker Dolly Levi, he gets much more than he bargained for. Under Dolly’s clever guidance, a swirl of innocent clerks, spirited millineresses, snooty waiters and other eccentric characters become delightfully entangled in 19th century New York. Amidst the physical comedy, secret rendezvous and mistaken identities of The Matchmaker, Wilder infuses wry observations about wealth, class and matrimony.
Aside from serving as the source material for a certain famous musical, The Matchmaker is highly acclaimed in its own right, offering captivating literature and greater charm and relevance for the present day. Girl Friday offered a rare opportunity for Twin Cities’ audiences: a hit on Broadway during its inaugural run in1955-1957, to Girl Friday’s knowledge The Matchmaker had not had a local professional production in 38 years.
Cast:
Horace Vandergelder: Alan Sorenson
Ambrose Kemper: Sam Pearson
Joe Scanlon: David Beukema
Gertrude: Dana Lee Thompson
Cornelius Hackl: Dan Hopman
Ermengarde: Elizabeth Hawkinson
Malachi Stack: Sam Landman
Dolly Levi: Karen Wiese-Thompson
Barnaby Tucker: Vincent Hamman
Irene Molloy: Lindsay Marcy
Minnie Fay: Christian Bardin
A Cabman: David Beukema
Rudolph: David Beukema
August: Dana Lee Thompson
A Gypsy: Dana Lee Thompson
Flora Van Huysen: Kirby Bennett
Miss Van Huysen’s Cook: Dana Lee Thompson
Production Team:
Director: Craig Johnson
Scenic Design: Rick Polenek
Costume Design: Kathy Kohl
Lighting Design: Dietrich Poppen
Sound Design: Katharine Horowitz
Properties Design: Sarah Holmberg
Stage Manager: Penny Laden Kissinger
Assistant Director: Brian Columbus
Dramaturg: Kit Gordon
Technical Director: Dietrich Poppen
Sound Operator and Production Assistant: Jerry Hsiao
Costume Design Assistant: Mary Farrell
Company Associate: Chava Curland
Production Assistant: Diane Mountford
Scenic Charge: Angelique Powers
Painter: Kendra Kallevig
Photographer: Rich Fleischman
Graphic Design: Wendy Ruyle and 5 by 5 Design, Madge Duffey
Audience Services: Philip Losacker
Producer: Kirby Bennett
