Play the Songs
HELLO, DOLLY!, the blockbuster Broadway hit, bursts with humor, romance, high-energy dancing, and some of the greatest songs in musical theater history. The romantic and comic exploits of Dolly Gallagher-Levi, turn-of-the-century matchmaker and “woman who arranges things,” are certain to thrill and entertain audiences again and again.
The show’s memorable songs include “Put On Your Sunday Clothes,” “Ribbons Down My Back,” “Before the Parade Passes By,” “Hello, Dolly!,” “Elegance,” and “It Only Takes a Moment.”
Music samples provided courtesy of Masterworks Broadway and MPL Music Publishing
- Synopsis
- Credits
- Orchestration
- Rehearsal Materials
- Cast List
- Brief History
- Upcoming
In turn-of-the-century New York, professional meddler and matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi decides she’s going to marry miserly half-a-millionaire hay & feed dealer Horace Vandergelder (“I Put My Hand In”)—and that’s where the fun begins.
At first, Horace hires Dolly to find him a second wife. Dolly arranges for him to meet widowed milliner Irene Molloy, but she has no intention of letting that match be completed.
When Mr. Vandergelder leaves Yonkers for New York City to pay suit to Mrs. Molloy, his clerks, Cornelius Hackl and Barnaby Tucker, decide to take an unauthorized holiday themselves (“Put On Your Sunday Clothes”). While strolling in New York, they spy Mr. Vandergelder and take refuge in the closest shop, Irene Molloy’s hat store. Cornelius and Barnaby frantically try to conceal themselves when Horace enters. Irene and Dolly – late for the appointment, as usual – finally divert the irate Mr. Vandergelder (“Motherhood March”) until he leaves in a huff.
As partial recompense, Dolly decrees that the clerks must take Irene and Minnie, her assistant, to the Harmonia Gardens for dinner. When they try to plead an inability to dance, the versatile Mrs. Levi teaches them on the spot (“Dancing”). The young foursome runs off to watch a parade, and Dolly – addressing her late husband, Ephraim – reaffirms a desire to move on with her life (“Before the Parade Passes By”).
As the second act opens, Cornelius and Barnaby persuade the ladies that it is much more elegant to walk to the restaurant than it is to hire a hack (“Elegance”).
Inside the Harmonia Gardens, Rudolph, the majordomo, exhorts his waiters to give even better and faster service tonight—Dolly is coming back. “The Waiters’ Gallop” follows, a welter of dazzling precision, criss-crossing at breakneck speed, which invariably brings down the house. Meanwhile, Cornelius and party occupy one dining booth (complete with drawn curtain). Horace and Ernestina Money, reputed by the conniving Dolly to be an heiress, are in another. Ernestina soon gets drunk and passes out.
Dolly makes her grand entrance to a triumphant “Hello, Dolly!” production number. As she eats with Horace, she repeatedly rejects his proposal of marriage… a proposal he has never made. As the dance contest begins, Horace discovers he has the wrong wallet; he and Barnaby, through a mix-up, have exchanged them. In the melee that follows, Rudolph calls the police, and the whole party is arrested. The judge agrees with Dolly Levi, Counselor-At-Law, that only Horace Vandergelder is guilty. During the courtroom scene, the court clerk records Cornelius’ declaration that “It Only Takes a Moment” to fall in love.
Back in Yonkers, a subdued and thoughtful Horace Vandergelder realizes that Dolly is the wonderful woman he wants to be his wife. Dolly convinces him to take Cornelius as his business partner, and then finally agrees to marry him—as she had intended all along.
HELLO, DOLLY!
Book by Michael Stewart Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman
Based on the play “The Matchmaker” by Thornton Wilder
Original Production Directed and
Choreographed by Gower Champion
Produced for the Broadway Stage by
David Merrick and Champion Five, Inc.Such credits for all purposes shall be in type size equal to that of any other credits except for those of the producer and star(s) above the title. The credit for the authors shall be in a type size at least 75 percent of the size of the title of the play; and wherever the name of one of the authors appears, the other name(s) shall also appear. In the programs, the credits shall appear on the title page thereof.
The title page of the program shall contain the following announcement in type size at least one-half the size of the authors’ credits:
HELLO, DOLLY!
is presented by arrangement with
TAMS-WITMARK MUSIC LIBRARY, INC.
560 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10022Full Orchestration:
2 Violin I (optional)
1 Violin II (optional)
1 Viola (optional)
1 Cello (optional)
1 Bass & optional Tuba1 Reed I: Flute, Piccolo, Clarinet & Alto Saxophone
1 Reed II: Clarinet & Alto Saxophone
1 Reed III: Clarinet & Tenor Saxophone
1 Reed IV: Clarinet, Bass Clarinet & Baritone Saxophone2 Trumpet I & II
1 Trumpet III
1 Trombone I
1 Trombone II2 Percussion I & II:
Timpani (2 Drums)
Bass Drum
Snare Drum
Cymbals, Suspended & Hand
Vibraphone
Xylophone
Glockenspiel
Bell Plate
Wood Block
Cow Bell
Slide Whistle
Ratchet1 Guitar & Banjo
1 Piano & CelestePiano-Conductor’s Score sent with rehearsal material.
Orchestra parts are cued so the score may be played with the following minimum number of parts: 3 Reeds, 2 Trumpets, 1 Trombone, 1 Percussion, Bass and Piano. Add parts in the following order to build the full orchestra: Reed IV, Trombone II, Trumpet III, Cello, Violins, Viola, Percussion II and Guitar-Banjo.
1 Piano Conductor’s Score
1 Prompt Book with Vocal Parts for Director
25 Prompt Books with Vocal Parts for Cast & ChorusOriginal Cast CD, if available, is sent with perusal material.
Optional Additional Materials
1 Stage Manager’s Guide
Medium-Voice Transpositions for the role of Dolly Levy
As sung on the original cast album by Carol Channing, the keys for Dolly Levi’s nine numbers are too low for many singers. The Medium-Voice Transpositions provide a comfortable range for most soprano “belters.”
The computer-engraved transposition books contain complete musical numbers and playoffs, if necessary, to make rehearsals and performances as smooth as possible. The Medium-Voice Transpositions are specially made to accommodate Dolly’s role; all the other musical numbers remain in their original keys. The transpositions are carefully crafted to minimize range adjustments necessary for the other singers in ensemble numbers. Performing HELLO, DOLLY! with the Medium-Voice Transpositions requires both a complete set of the original performance materials and the transposition materials.The set of materials includes:
Piano-Conductor’s Score for the transposed numbers.
Chorus-Vocal Books with transpositions for each of the principals and the chorus.Orchestra parts with transpositions for each orchestra player are available at an additional charge.
Dolly Keys: Original (Channing) vs. Medium-Voice Transpositions
No. 2 • I Put My Hand In (written up a major third) Channing Medium Voice bar 1-9 A-flat C bar 10-208 E-flat G No. 4 • Put On Your Sunday Clothes (bars 53-90 up a fourth) bar 1-10 E = bar 11-18 A = bar 19-52 D = bar 52 (B7) (E7) bar 53-90 E A bar 91 al fine E-flat etc. = No. 6 • Motherhood March (bars 1-35 up a fourth; bars 36-101 up a fifth) bar 1-28 G C bar 29-61 G D bar 62-101 A-flat E-flat No. 7 • Dancing (bars 1-65 up a fifth; bars 66-121 up a major sixth) bar 1-65 G D bar 66-122 E-flat C bar 122-129 music is in the same key, but different key signature bar 130 al fine C etc. = No. 8 • Before The Parade Passes By (bars 1-123 up a fourth) bar 1-79 D G bar 80-123 E-flat A-flat bar 123a-123d new 4-bar modulation bar 130 al fine E-flat etc. = No. 9 • Finale — Act I (same key, but sounding at pitch) bar 1-21 E-flat E-flat No. 13 • Hello, Dolly (bars 1-42 up a fifth; bars 77-127 up a major seventh) bar 1-42 C G bar 43-76 E-flat = bar 77-127 B-flat A bar 128 al fine C etc. = No. 17 • So Long, Dearie (up a fourth) bar 1-14 G C bar 15-95 B-flat E-flat bar 96-141 B E No. 18 • Finale Ultimo (bars 24-42 up a fifth) bar 1-23 B-flat = bar 24-42 B-flat F bar 43 al fine E-flat etc. = Principals
(5 female; 4 male)
Mrs. Dolly Gallagher Levi — an indefatigable meddling matchmaker; a widow in her middle years
Mrs. Irene Molloy — a millineress with a hat shop near 14th Street in New York City
Minnie Fay — a young girl who works in Irene’s Shop
Ernestina — a heavy-set girl in need of Mrs. Levi’s services
Ermengarde — the 17-year-old niece of Horace Vandergelder
Horace Vandergelder — proprietor of a hay and feed store in Yonkers, NY and a client of Mrs. Levi’s
Cornelius Hackl — Vandergelder’s chief clerk, 33 years old
Barnaby Tucker — an assistant to Cornelius, 17 years old
Ambrose Kemper — a young artist seeking to marry ErmengardeSupporting (from the Chorus)
Mrs. Rose — sells vegetables from a street cart, a friend of Mrs. Levi’s from years before
Coachman — non-speaking
Horse — two chorus/dancers
Rudolph Reisenweber — the Prussian major-domo of the Harmonia Gardens Restaurant
Stanley — a young waiter
Fritz, Harry, Louie, Danny, Manny and Hank — Harmonia Gardens waiters; non-speaking chorus/dancers
First Cook — Harmonia Gardens employee with a German accent
Second Cook — Harmonia Gardens employee
Judge — white-whiskered, red-nosed, New York night court
Policemen — several New York City officers; only one speaking
Court Clerk (Recorder) — male chorus member
Paperhanger — non-speakingEnsemble
Townspeople of New York
Yonkers Band
Lodge Members
Feed Store Customers
Harmonia Gardens Customers
Polka Contest Contestants
14th Street Parade EnsembleSuggested: 8 female dancers, 8 female singers, 6 male singers, 12 male dancers.
(Can be done with fewer)
The original Broadway production had a cast of 45 performers, including chorus. Some doubling was employed in the minor parts.
The 2017 Broadway revival has a cast of 33 performers, including chorus. Again, some doubling is employed.HELLO, DOLLY! opened on Broadway on January 16, 1964 at the St. James Theatre. Opening with Carol Channing in the title role, the show ultimately played for 2,844 performances, making it – at the time – the longest-running Broadway musical in history. The West End production ran for 794 performances at London’s Drury Lane Theatre.
HELLO, DOLLY! has been revived several times on Broadway, and is slated to return in 2017 with Bette Midler in the starring role.
Awards (1964)
10 Tony Awards for Musical, Actress, Author, Producer, Director, Composer/Lyricist, Musical Director, Scenic Designer, Costume Designer and Choreographer
The New York Drama Critics Circle Award for MusicalAwards (1968)
2 Outer Critics Circle Awards for Actor and Actress
The Theatre World Award (Jack Crowder)Awards (1970)
The Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Performance (Ethel Merman)
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Organization City, State First Performance Last Performance Possum Point Players GEORGETOWN, DE 04/13/2018 04/22/2018 Booker High School SARASOTA, FL 04/19/2018 04/22/2018 Fairfield Senior High School FAIRFIELD, OH 04/19/2018 04/22/2018 Houghton Academy HOUGHTON, NY 04/19/2018 04/21/2018 Los Alamitos High School LOS ALAMITOS, CA 04/19/2018 04/21/2018 Off-Broadway Christian Theatre CORONA, CA 04/19/2018 04/22/2018 Revere High School RICHFIELD, OH 04/19/2018 04/22/2018 Capital Christian School SACRAMENTO, CA 04/20/2018 04/21/2018 Pauline Johnson Collegiate Vocational S. BRANTFORD, ON 04/26/2018 04/28/2018 Stillwater High School STILLWATER, OK 04/26/2018 04/29/2018 Bishop Heelan High School SIOUX CITY, IA 04/26/2018 04/29/2018 Christian Youth Theater Wichita WICHITA, KS 04/26/2018 04/28/2018 Timpanogos Valley Theatre HEBER CITY, UT 04/26/2018 05/05/2018 Riverside High School LEESBURG, VA 04/26/2018 04/29/2018 Jefferson High School BLOOMINGTON, MN 04/26/2018 04/29/2018 Yorba Linda High School YORBA LINDA, CA 04/27/2018 05/05/2018 Shenandoah Valley Jr. Sr. High School SHENANDOAH, PA 04/27/2018 04/29/2018 Glasgow Christian Academy BEAR, DE 05/02/2018 05/05/2018 Evanston High School EVANSTON, WY 05/03/2018 05/05/2018 Camp Road Middle School CHARLESTON, SC 05/04/2018 05/06/2018 Hanover High School HANOVER, NH 05/10/2018 05/12/2018 Live Oak Classical School WACO, TX 05/11/2018 05/12/2018 Calvary United Methodist Church LATHAM, NY 05/11/2018 05/12/2018 Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy BRYN MAWR, PA 05/14/2018 05/17/2018 Commercial Township Public Schools PORT NORRIS, NJ 05/17/2018 05/19/2018 Spokane Civic Theatre SPOKANE, WA 05/18/2018 06/10/2018 Centenary Performing Arts Guild HACKETTSTOWN, NJ 05/25/2018 06/03/2018 Acting UP! Musical Theatre VANCOUVER, BC 05/25/2018 05/26/2018 Young Peoples Theatre Workshop GLEN MILLS, PA 05/25/2018 06/03/2018 Madison High School SAN DIEGO, CA 05/31/2018 06/01/2018 Skokie Park District SKOKIE, IL 06/01/2018 06/10/2018 Roswell Community Little Theatre ROSWELL, NM 06/01/2018 06/17/2018 John Paul's Troupe XENIA, OH 06/07/2018 06/09/2018 Blue Water Theatre Company WAYZATA, MN 06/15/2018 06/24/2018 Hamilton Players HAMILTON, MT 06/15/2018 07/01/2018 Ozark Actors Theatre ROLLA, MO 06/21/2018 07/01/2018 Oldham County Schools Arts Center CRESTWOOD, KY 06/21/2018 06/23/2018 Valdosta State Univ Foundation, Inc. VALDOSTA, GA 06/22/2018 07/15/2018 Sherwood Foundation for the Arts SHERWOOD, OR 06/27/2018 06/30/2018 Kaysville City KAYSVILLE, UT 06/29/2018 07/06/2018 Emmet Hook Center SHREVEPORT, LA 07/06/2018 07/15/2018 Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma Inc. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 07/10/2018 07/15/2018 One More Productions SANTA ANA, CA 07/12/2018 08/05/2018 Trollwood Performing Arts School MOORHEAD, MN 07/12/2018 07/28/2018 Public Education Foundation Evansville EVANSVILLE, IN 07/12/2018 07/15/2018 Chattanooga Theatre Centre CHATTANOOGA, TN 07/13/2018 07/29/2018 City of Hilliard HILLIARD, OH 07/13/2018 07/15/2018 All Saints Church MANASSAS, VA 07/17/2018 07/22/2018 Lamoille County Players HYDE PARK, VT 07/19/2018 07/29/2018 Blue Springs City Theatre BLUE SPRINGS, MO 07/19/2018 07/29/2018 Ohio University LANCASTER, OH 07/22/2018 08/05/2018 City of Warren WARREN, MI 08/03/2018 08/12/2018 Sacred Heart Church GLYNDON, MD 08/03/2018 08/12/2018 Oregon Straw Hat Players OREGON, WI 08/04/2018 08/11/2018 St. George Musical Theatre ST. GEORGE, UT 08/16/2018 09/15/2018 Woodlawn Theatre SAN ANTONIO, TX 08/24/2018 09/16/2018 Casa Manana Musicals FORT WORTH, TX 09/08/2018 09/16/2018 Music Box Players SWOYERSVILLE, PA 09/08/2018 09/23/2018 Virginia Samford Theatre BIRMINGHAM, AL 09/13/2018 09/30/2018 Erie Playhouse ERIE, PA 09/14/2018 09/30/2018 Lincoln Community Playhouse LINCOLN, NE 09/14/2018 09/30/2018 Diamond Head Theatre HONOLULU, HI 09/21/2018 10/14/2018 Lake of the Woods Players LOCUST GROVE, VA 10/12/2018 10/21/2018 Notre Dame Academy TOLEDO, OH 10/18/2018 10/28/2018 The Arts Center of Cannon County WOODBURY, TN 11/02/2018 11/17/2018 Encore Musical Theatre Company DEXTER, MI 11/15/2018 12/23/2018 City of Newton NEWTON, MA 11/27/2018 11/29/2018 Four County Players BARBOURSVILLE, VA 03/15/2019 04/14/2019 College of the Albemarle ELIZABETH CITY, NC 04/11/2019 04/20/2019