Amber Iman, a 2024 Tony nominee for her performance as Rafaela in the recent Broadway musical Lempicka, will play matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi in Arkansas Repertory Theatre's upcoming concert production of the Jerry Herman classic Hello, Dolly!
Featuring the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, performances are scheduled for August 22–24 at the Robinson Center in Little Rock.
The cast will also feature Reggie D. White (The Inheritance) as Horace, Parris Lewis (TINA: The Tina Turner Musical national tour) as Irene, Drama Desk nominee Denise Manning as Minnie Fay, Colin Carswell (Long Way Down) as Cornelius, and Tyrese Shawn Avery (Long Way Down) as Barnaby with Arkansas artists Frederick Webb as Ambrose and Bijoux as Ermengarde.
The ensemble will feature Tawanna Campbell, Nick Farr, Portia S. Jones, Dariane LyJoi, Mull, Quinton Sanders, Satia Spencer, Kristen Phantazia Smith, and Taijee.
“My passion for music and great musical theatre is what led to this unique collaboration with the symphony,” says Interim Artistic Director Ken-Matt Martin, who will direct the production, in a statement. “I’m so excited to honor the legacy of the former Pearl Bailey-led, all-Black Broadway production of Hello, Dolly! with this incredible cast.”
“You need an Icon to play an iconic role. I’m so excited to have Amber Iman as Dolly,” adds Martin. “Amber is a singular performer and to see her follow in the footsteps of Pearl Bailey in this role is going to be a true treat.”
Based on the play The Matchmaker by Thornton Wilder, Hello, Dolly! features a book by Michael Stewart with music and lyrics by Herman. The original Broadway production won 10 1964 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Actress in a Musical for Carol Channing. A London revival, starring Imelda Staunton, continues at the London Palladium.
The Arkansas production will be conducted by Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Associate Conductor Valery Saul and will have costume design by Little Rock native Celeste Jennings, lighting design by Levi J. Wilkins, and sound design by Luke Mitchell. Luisa Ann Torres will be the production stage manager.
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