Amber Iman, a 2024 Tony nominee for her performance as Rafaela in the recent Broadway musical Lempicka, plays matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi in Arkansas Repertory Theatre's concert production of the Jerry Herman classic Hello, Dolly! beginning August 22.
Featuring the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, performances are scheduled through August 24 at the Robinson Center in Little Rock.
Watch Iman rehearse the musical's anthem, "Before the Parade Passes By," in the video above, and check out photos from the production below.
The cast also features 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 includes Tawanna Campbell, Nick Farr,
Portia S. Jones, Dariane LyJoi, Mull, Quinton Sanders, Satia Spencer,
Kristen Phantazia Smith, and Taijee.
Amber Iman in Hello, Dolly!
Amber Iman in Hello, Dolly!
Amber Iman in Hello, Dolly!
Amber Iman in Hello, Dolly!
Amber Iman in Hello, Dolly!
Arkansas Symphony Orchestra
Colin Carswell in Hello, Dolly!
Denise Manning and Tyrese Shawn Avery in Hello, Dolly!
Company of Hello, Dolly!
Parris Lewis in Hello, Dolly!
Reggie D. White in Hello, Dolly!
“My passion for music and great musical theatre is what led to this unique collaboration with the symphony,” said Interim Artistic Director Ken-Matt Martin, who directs the production, in an earlier 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,” added 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 is conducted by Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Associate Conductor Valery Saul and has costume design by Little Rock native Celeste Jennings, lighting design by Levi J. Wilkins, and sound design by Luke Mitchell. Luisa Ann Torres is the production stage manager.
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