Thornton Wilder's Classic American Farce, The Matchmaker, 
opens at Cygnet Theatre March 3rd.

Previews are March 1st and 2nd. Runs March 3rd through April 8th.

Thornton Wilder's The Matchmaker follows the story of a Yonkers merchant and skinflint Horace Vandergelder, who gets more than he bargains for when he employs the services of matchmaker Mrs. Dolly Levi. Mistaken identities, near misses and love flow through this hilarious farce like a freshly popped bottle of vintage champagne.

The show stars David Gallagher from It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play as Horace Vandergelder. In 1960, Craig Noel directed Thornton Wilder's The Matchmaker for the Old Globe. Cast as Cornelius Hackl, the mischievous head clerk, was Gallagher who originally auditioned for the role of Barnaby Tucker, but despite his young age (20 years old), he was cast as the older Cornelius Hackl.

Gallagher reminisces, "After some forty years I happened to be at a cocktail party where Craig was present. When I approached him I didn't know if he would even remember me; however when I introduced myself to him, he took my hand, laughed and said "Pudding!." Pudding is the word in the play that Cornelius and Barnaby choose as a code word to indicate they are having an adventure. Craig and I had a lovely reminiscence and he told me to be sure and invite him to any play I was performing in. I haven't till now, but will certainly invite him to come see me as the older male lead in this production of The Matchmaker." 

Joining Gallagher in his return to The Matchmaker is an all-star cast, including Sandra Ellis-Troy as Dolly Levi and Sean Cox, formerly seen in My Fair Lady, taking on Gallagher's former role of Cornelius Hackl.

The entire cast of The Matchmaker includes: Amy Biedel, Andy Collins, Jason Connors, Sean Cox, Grace Delaney, Sandra Ellis-Troy, David Gallagher, T.J. Johnson, Jeanine Marquie, Veronica Murphy, David Rethoret, and Rachel VanWormer. The Matchmaker is directed by Sean Murray. 

The set for the production is being designed by Sean Fanning. Lighting design by Resident Designer Eric Lotze. Sound design by Associate Artistic Director George Ye. Costumes by Resident Designer Jeanne Reith. Properties by Resident Designer Bonnie Durben. Stage Manager is Production Manager Kelsey Wilcox.

The Matchmaker runs March 3rd through April 8th with two low-priced previews on March 1st and 2nd. 

Performances are at Cygnet Theatre, located conveniently in the College area, at 6663 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92115 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm and 7pm. Tickets are $29 on Saturdays, $27 on Fridays and Sunday matinees, and $25 on Thursdays and Sunday evenings. There is plenty of convenient, free parking.

Tickets can be purchased 24 hours on-line on Cygnet's secure website at www.cygnettheatre.com or calling the box office at 619-337-1525, ext. 3#.

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