This Monday night Magnormos finishes the celebration of JERRY HERMAN with the world-wide sensation HELLO, DOLLY!  Let’s meet one of the principal performers who will bring this landmark musical to life…

SUSAN-ANN WALKER (who plays Dolly Levi)

Magnormos: Tell us about your character?
Susan-ann: Dolly Levi is the ultimate charming manipulator. She has a real talent for matchmaking and generally putting her nose into every one’s business yet she is not unlikeable.  The book of DOLLY is a dream to play…it is such clever dialogue. There are some moments of true insight into her loneliness which are so beautiful next to the crazy comedy.

Magnormos: What drew you to HELLO DOLLY?
Susan-ann: I am the perfect age now to play Dolly….and I will be a very different Dolly. I sing it VERY different to Carol Channing…. more in Barbra’s keys…. and i purposely have not watched the movie or any footage since I started rehearsals.  I have strong memories of the film…Barbra Streisand was perfect but too young…And I think Robert (Vandergelder ) and I will have a lot more chemistry than Barbra and Walter!!! It’s a WONDERFUL role…I hope I get to do it again but if not then I’ve done it once!!!

Magnormos:Why do you think Jerry Herman is so successful?
Susan-ann: His melodies are beautiful and his lyrics are “every man”…accessible to all.

Magnormos: Tell us a little about you - what’s a career highlight so far?
Susan-ann: I loved doing XANADU this year…two crazy roles….creating the role of EARTH MOTHER in MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL and then sustaining the energy for almost three years with two children under four is something i am proud of (but can’t believe I did!!) and playing “Martha” in THE SECRET GARDEN in 1996 is another highlight…I have many!! I am very blessed!!

See Susan-ann as the worlds most loveable matchmaker in HELLO, DOLLY! this Monday Night 18 July 8pm at Melbourne Recital Centre.

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