The New Candlelight Theatre, the country’s only nonprofit Equity dinner theater, is finishing its 2007 season with a parade, a matchmaker and a family classic set to thrill the most seasoned of theatergoers.

Opening October 12th and running through December 23rd, Hello Dolly! is one of the most beloved pieces in modern musical theater. Featuring a rousing score by Jerry Herman and based on the farce The Matchmaker by Thornton Wilder, Hello Dolly! boasts a cast of 24 and led by the stellar production team of director, Frank Anzalone, choreographer, Gregory Daniels and music director, Steve Weatherman.

The title role originated by Carol Channing in the 1964 Tony Award winning Broadway production was originally written for Ethel Merman. Merman, along with Mary Martin, initially declined the role, however went on to take over after Channing’s departure. The coveted role was also played by Ginger Rogers, Betty Grable, Phyllis Diller, Pearl Bailey and in the 1969 film version, Barbra Streisand. Candlelight welcomes their Dolly: Jodi Lynne Sylvester! Ms. Sylvester, a Boston native, assumes the daunting task of portraying Dolly Gallagher Levi. No stranger to the role of Dolly, Ms. Sylvester comes to Candlelight with a vast resume including the 1st National Tour of Titanic, as well as regional portrayals of Marian Paroo in The Music Man and Dorothy Brock in 42nd Street.

Returning to Candlelight having played Julian Marsh in last year’s toe tapping 42nd Street, Dan Schiff takes on the role of Dolly’s grumpy client, Horace Vandergelder. Mr. Schiff has a long list of credits to his name including over 25 productions at The Walnut Street Theater.

Supporting cast includes: Robert T. Miller (Wilmington) as Cornelius, Andrew Lorenzo (New Jersey) as Barnaby Tucker, DeNae Steele (New Jersey) as Ermengarde, Liz Filios (Philadelphia) as Minnie Fay, John M. Kollmer (Philadelphia) as Ambrose Kemper, Gregory Daniels (New , Greg Daniels (New York City) as Rudolph, Kimberl Vade (New Jersey) as Irene Malloy and Melissa Joy Hart (Philadelphia) as Ernestina Money.

Ensemble includes: Emma Bradley, Gina Cipolloni, Renae Daniels, AJ Garcia, Paul Goodman, Nicolas Heller, Shauna Hitchens, Kelsey McDowell, Nathan Ohm, Owen Pelesh, Tim Sheridan, Calley Steel, Gerri Weagraff, Jordan Weagraff and Brian Walsh.

Owners Bob Miller and Jody Anderson Miller produce the last installment of the 2007 season. After obtaining ownership in 2002, Bob and Jody set forth on carving a niche in the fledgling professional theater community of Delaware and creating a model for dinner theaters across the country. Embarking on one of their most successful seasons to date, the Millers draw to a close their first year as the nation’s only Equity dinner theater. A proud member of the Theater Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, Candlelight recently received two Barrymore nominations for its past production of Chicago and is supported in part by the Delaware Division of the Arts and generous donations by loyal patrons and businesses.

Hello Dolly! is sponsored by Best Western, Brandywine Valley Inn and packages from our participating sponsors are available by calling (302) 656-9436.

The New Candlelight Theatre is located in historic Ardentown, DE—five minutes from downtown Wilmington and 30 minutes from Center City, Philadelphia. Hello Dolly! will open on October 12, 2007 and run through December 23, 2007. To purchase tickets please call the New Candlelight Theatre box office at: 302-475-2313. For more information on The New Candlelight Theatre please visit www.newcandlelighttheatre.com.