The spring equinox represents many things: a new beginning, the light at the end of the dark tunnel of winter, and a symbol of happiness, love, growth, and renewal. For Quince Orchard students, the start of the new season is linked to the production of their spring musical, Hello, Dolly!
Hello, Dolly! tells the story of matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi in the 1890s. Dolly tours Yonkers, New York trying to find a match for eligible bachelor Horace Vandergelder. Dolly is portrayed by senior Annie Coulson, who has done several shows at QO and is certainly no amateur. Coulson brings the character to life with comedy and style.
As the show takes place at the end of the 19th century, the costumes are quite extravagant. “It’s a lot of frilly blouses, skirts with petticoats and crinoline underneath. Very Victorian classic,” said senior Sara Tapia, student lead of costumes. The costumes are indeed fabulously frilly; a crowd favorite is Dolly’s bedazzled red dress, paired with her red feathery hair fastener. This is Dolly’s signature look, and is featured in every adaptation of Hello, Dolly!
The QO production opened on Friday, April 5th. The week leading up to opening night was a hectic one, as several crew members described. “We weren’t as prepared as we would have liked to be,” said senior Sara Tapia. Student lead for hair and makeup, senior Fatima Jafri, expressed similar sentiments: “I was definitely nervous leading up to the show, but I knew that hair and makeup crew had done the best they could to prepare and at that point I just wanted everyone to have fun with it. I wanted my last show at QO theater to be something I feel positive about,” said Jafri.
However, any apprehension or doubt regarding the fate of the show seemed to disappear after opening night. Senior Anthony Marin has been involved in the drama department since his freshman year, and is now stage manager. “I’m in charge of making sure that crew is coordinated with cast and making sure that everything that is supposed to happen on stage happens in the right and smooth manner,” said Marin. “Opening night was the best opening night that we’ve had for a QO theatre show in the eight shows that I’ve been here.”
Tapia felt the same. “It’s already looking amazing and that’s something that makes me super happy. Seeing it all come together makes me feel fabulous,” said Tapia, after opening night.
Jafri had her own ideas as to why the show turned out so great. “I feel like everyone who worked on it was putting a lot of effort into making it good, and that’s why it worked out despite how much more difficult it was to work on in comparison to other shows,” said Jafri.
Having seen the show, it is very evident that all of the students and parents involved put a lot of work into the production. Their efforts do not go unnoticed, and deserve to be commended. Stage manager Anthony Marin has one message for all MoCo residents; “Come see the show! Everyone will like it, it appeals to everyone,” said Marin. The remaining shows are on Friday, April 12th at 7pm and Saturday, April 13th at 2 and 7pm.
Article by MoCo Student staff writer Ayesha Shahzad of Quince Orchard High School