GreenMan presenting Wilder farce, 'The Matchmaker'

When Thornton Wilder's classic farce “The Matchmaker” opens Friday, April 20, at GreenMan Theatre in Elmhurst, director David Soria anticipates audiences will find several things to enjoy.

The potential pleasing aspects of the show are exactly what interested Soria in directing GreenMan's spring production in the first place.

“I guess I'm always drawn to plays with great characters and great writing,” he said. “Wilder gives his characters such wonderful things to say, lines that are clever and funny.”

“The Matchmaker,” which is the basis for the musical “Hello, Dolly!” takes place at the turn of the 20th century in Yonkers, N.Y., and deals with widower Horace Vandergelder hiring Dolly Levi to find him a second wife.

Wilder's play would seem to be a classic farce, but Soria sees it as more than that.

“The play has the mistaken identity, hiding under tables, overheard conversations, all those touches you would expect in a farce. But Wilder gives his audiences some food for thought, too,” Soria said.

“With all this mayhem going on, his play acknowledges the foolish side to all of life and suggests we'd better embrace the contradictions and craziness of life. Near the end of the play, Dolly has a key line where she says that it is important to live a life that is connected, truly connected, to other people, with all their faults and foolishness, rather than being aloof and separate from others.

“I think Wilder integrates his themes like this into the action of the play beautifully. You never feel like you are being hit over the head with a message, but there are other things to think about in the play, too.”

Soria, who also serves as GreenMan Theatre's artistic director, is working with a cast that features Jim Bruner of Schaumburg, Christopher Cavanaugh of Chicago, Dana Clouser of Oak Park, Rance Clouser of Oak Park, Vicky Giannini of Chicago, Lynn Sciaraffa Homeier of Elmhurst, Tammy Job of Evanston, Stan Kosek of Villa Park, Harold LeBoyer of Rolling Meadows, Nancy Mesenbrink of Glen Ellyn, Elizabeth Owsley of Streamwood, Mary Pavia of Downers Grove, Mary-Carol Riehs of Elmhurst, Erick Sosa of Franklin Park, and Carl Zeitler of Glen Ellyn.

“The cast of the play is working very hard to bring these characters to life, and we have a great group of actors assembled this time,” Soria said.

“The challenge always is to go as far as you can with the comic elements of the play, but still keep the reality and believability of the people.”

“The Matchmaker” opens April 20 and runs for three weekends until Sunday, May 6. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees begin at 2 p.m. Tickets are $17 for adults and $15 for seniors and students.

For details or to reserve tickets, go to greenmantheatre.com or call (630) 464-2646. All performances take place at Asbury Hall at the First United Methodist Church, 232 S. York in Elmhurst. Free parking is available.