The Matchmaker Makes for the Perfect Spring Play: Photogallery
Trinity’s production of Thornton Wilder’s comedic play “The Matchmaker” opened Friday, April 20, to a nearly sold-out crowd. The next performances are April 27-28, at 7:30 p.m., in the Marg Kallemeyn Theatre (Art and Communication Center).
Tickets are $11 for general admission; $8 for students and senior citizens. Tickets can be purchased online: www.trinitychristiancollegetickets.com. Handicapped seating is available by calling 708.597.3000.
“The Matchmaker” is set in Yonkers, New York, during the 1880s and tells the story of Horace, an old, rich merchant who is searching for a wife. He hires Dolly Levi as a matchmaker, and she gets into several comedic situations with two of Horace’s clerks while looking for a match.
“While set in the late 1800s, this play still packed tons of jokes and laughs that entertain audiences in the 21st century,” said Luke Monsma ’14, Denver, Colorado, who played the role of Cornelius Hackl.
“Since this play is a farce, it allows the actors and actresses to experiment with ‘larger than life’ actions and voices, which made it very fun.”
Monsma has acted in other Trinity productions including Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” directed by Dr. John Sebestyen, associate professor of communication arts.
“Dr. Sebestyen worked extremely hard with the cast and crew to ensure the production was top-notch,” said Monsma.
This play works with the theatre program’s overarching themes this year of wisdom and folly.
“This play can explore how [wisdom and folly] intersect in a multitude of ways,” said Sebestyen. “These issues are important for us to ponder as theatre-makers, and I hope that our audiences will consider them, as well.”
Kudos to the cast and crew:
Dolly Levi – Heather Hernandez ’14, Mokena, Illinois
Horace Vandergelder – Bobby Strange ’14, South Holland, Illinois
Cornelius Hackl – Luke Monsma ’14, Denver, Colorado
Barnaby Tucker – Chris DeWaard ’14, Holland, Michigan
Irene Molloy – Shannon Smith ’12, Portage, Michigan
Minnie Fay – Jess Timmermans ’14, Palos Heights, Illinois
Ambrose Kemper – Daniel Thayer ’12, Buchanan, Michigan
Ermengarde – Alisha Riepma ’12, Boyden, Iowa
Malachi Stack – Adam Frankenfeld ’15, Oskaloosa, Iowa
Flora VanHuysen – Kristen Blok ’15, Lynden, Washington
Cook – Gina Ciametti ’13, Hickory Hills, Illinois
Cabman – Da’Maris King ’14, Detroit, Michigan
Rudolph, the waiter – Chadd Huizenga ’15, Highland, Indiana
August, the waiter – Jonathan Engbers ’14, Elmhurst, Illinois
Joe Scanlon, the barber – Kyle Harms ’15, Tinley Park, Illinois
Gertrude – Brooke Wigboldy ’14, Tinley Park, Illinois
Stage Manager – Becca Reed ’14, Jenison, Michigan
Asst. Stage Manager – Bridget Earnshaw ’12, Cedar Lake, Indiana
Asst. Directors – Graeme Scott ’13, Oakville, Ontario and Teryn Leaper ’13, Hawthorn Woods, Illinois
Production Asst. – Hartrick Ryan VanderPloeg ’15, Frankfort, Illinois