Lights, camera, action. It will take much more than some stage equipment to prepare for Massapequa High School’s production of Hello, Dolly! this winter season. A cast made up of approximately 87 talented kids from grades 9-12 are preparing for a successful show this March.

Hello, Dolly! is about a matchmaker named Dolly Levi who is very well known by everyone around town. Mrs. Levi is going to visit the very rich and unmarried Horace Vandergelder. During this trip, she convinces two of Mr. Vandergelders store clerks to take a trip to New York to meet two fine women, Mrs. Irene Molloy and her assistant Minnie, and Mr. Vandergelder is out to the marry the former. Through all the music, scenes, events, laughs, and dancing you find love between the characters as well as a love between Mr. Vandergelder and Mrs. Dolly Levi in the end.

“I think the show is going to be a great success as it always has been in the past. We always work so hard and this is such a great play that I hope everyone will enjoy,” senior Alexa Arent said.

Arent has the part of Mrs. Irene Molloy in this year’s production.

There is certainly a lot of work to be done. The cast list was posted Tuesday, January 10, and rehearsals started January 18. Long weeks of hard work go into this production.

“We practice every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 2:45 to 5:00,” Arent said. “As the performance gets closer the hours get longer, we have full run-throughs until 10:00, as well as an added all-day rehearsal the Saturday before.”

Aside from two student stage managers, seniors Jenna Fratello and Stephanie Rollens, the main faculty director is English Curriculum Associate, Mr. Harrington, who is the producer of the musical.

“I love directing the musicals. Being involved in theatre transformed my life. I am so grateful that I can share my passion for musical theater with the students of Masapequa High School,” director Mr. Harrington said.

And although the theater can be very stressful, it is certainly very rewarding.

“I feel the most important part in getting ready for a performance is being focused,” Arent said. “The last couple of weeks are always crazy for a performer because you have to remember all your lines, remember all the blocking, remember all your songs, get your costume changes and dance moves down, and of course stay healthy.”

The play is going to be performed Friday, March 30 as well as Saturday, March 31 at 8:00 p.m. Given the work put into this production by directors and students, it is sure to be a hit.