'Hello, Dolly!' Is at JCC in La Jolla

The J*Company Youth Theatre group will close its Barbara Streisand-inspired season with Hello, Dolly. The show will run through May 12 at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center in La Jolla.

The youth theatre group said Hello, Dolly is a story of a modern matchmaker. It opened on Broadway in 1964 and won the Tony Award for Best Musical. Several years later in 1969, Streisand was cast in the film adaptation.

The cast for this final production includes two long time J*Company actors who will take the stage in their final performance at J*Company: Michelle Guefen (age 18, San Diego Jewish Academy) as Dolly Levi and her counterpart Evan Bramberg (age 18, Francis Parker School) as Horace Vandergelder, who will graduate at the end of this school year.

“Both performers have grown up with the J*Company and I’m thrilled to be able to give them starring roles showcase for their final performances. They’ve both earned it,” said Artistic Director Joey Landwehr in a preview. 

Performing the roles of the young shopkeepers Barnaby Tucker and Cornelias Hackl will be Samuel Brogadir (age 14, San Diego School for Creative and Performing Arts) and Joshua Shtein, (age 17, High Tech High International.) The girls who catch their eye will be played by Gabi Leibowitz (age 14, Francis Parker Middle School) and Kimberly Marron (age 18, Scripps Ranch High School).

The signature big hats and bustle dresses of the turn of the century era musical will be recreated by Shulamit Nelson, while 1890s style choreography will be re-created by Kaylie Caires.

There will be performances on Thursday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 and 4:30 p.m.

Ticket can be purchased online at tickets.lfjcc.org or by calling 858-362-1348.