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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – <i>Hello, Dolly! </i></span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>opens this Friday at Rabbit Run Theater<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Winner of 10 Tony awards <i>Hello Dolly </i>is one of the most endearing musicals of all times and holds a special place in the hearts of theater lovers. With music and lyrics by Jerry Herman, <i>Hello, Dolly! </i>is based on the play <i>The Matchmaker </i>by Thornton Wilder.</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> </span><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The year is 1890, and widowed matchmaker Dolly Levi is hired to find the perfect match for a grumpy, wealthy Yonkers widower, and find the perfect match, she does.<span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>The show features such all-time favorite melodies as <i>It Only Takes a Moment, Ribbons Down My Back </i>and,<i> Hello, Dolly!</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='background:white'><i><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Hello, Dolly! </span></i><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>is directed by Brendan Sandham who has directed and performed in numerous productions at Rabbit Run, Fine Arts Association, Geauga Lyric Theater Guild and The Beck Center.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>“</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Hello Dolly is a true musical theater classic,” says Sandham. “It’s laugh-out-loud funny, but also has moments of poignancy and sweetness that elevate the show into something truly unique and special. There is a reason this show has stood the test of time.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>“One of the most famous songs in the show, ‘It Only Takes a Moment’, is an accurate description of the show itself. There are so many little moments that make you laugh, fill your heart and make you want to sing along. As a director, I love finding those moments and bringing them out in the most impactful way.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>“The cast has worked very hard to bring their characters to life in fun and unique ways; it’s delightful working with them. I keep telling them sarcastically, ‘It’s a shame none of you get along’, because that couldn’t be further from the truth. They are a kind and supportive bunch, and that’s something that is reflected in their performances.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Playing the role of Dolly is Ingrid Balstad. Balstad has performed in numerous shows at Rabbit Run, most recently as </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#222222'>Clairee in <i>Steel Magnolias</i> and the Mother Abess in <i>The Sound of Music</i>.</span><span style='color:#222222'> </span><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Greg Gnau is performing as Dolly’s love interest, Horace Vandergelder. Also performing are Ian Jones as Cornelius, Tyler Collins as Barnaby, Stephanie Harden as Mrs. Malloy and Paige Heidrich as Minnie</span><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='background:white'><i><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Hello, Dolly! </span></i><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>opens Friday, June 19 and runs through Friday, July 10. Tickets for all performances are available by calling the box office at 440-428-7092, Wednesday through Sunday, 3 to 7 p.m. or on line at </span><a href="http://www.rabbitrunonline.org"><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>www.rabbitrunonline.org</span></a><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>. Tickets are $22/adult and $20/senior, student. For group packages and rates call 440-428-5913.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Guests are welcome to bring a picnic meal to enjoy on the grounds of the theater prior to a show in the new picnic pavilion or courtyards.</span><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#303030'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>All shows begin at 8 p.m. Rabbit Run Theater is located at 5648 W. Chapel Rd., Madison, OH. Rabbit Run receives partial funding from the Ohio Arts Council, Behm Family Funeral Home, Chemsultants and Lake Health. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'># # #<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>