According to Alicia Burton, director of "Hello, Dolly!" at Cavod Theatre, the show is about finding joy in each moment. Musical director Amy Rau concurred, pointing out that Dolly is going through a difficult time, but that she is stepping out in faith. "Even in the hardest things we go through, you've got to find the bright side," she said.

"Hello Dolly!" will be presented at Cavod Theatre, 641 W. Main St., New Holland, with a dinner theater at 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24. The show will also be performed at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 3; at 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturdays, Feb. 25 and March 4; and at 4 p.m. on Sundays, Feb. 26 and March 5.

"Hello, Dolly!" centers around lovable widow and matchmaker Dolly Levi, played by Erin Wright. The musical follows her to New York to practice her matchmaking and heal her own heart. Along the way, Dolly matches up Irene Molloy, played by Eliza Moran, with Cornelius Hackl, played by Alex Weaver, and Barnaby Tucker, played by Richard Weaver, with Minnie Fay, played by Melina Nicole Stratigos. Dolly also solves romantic problems plaguing Ermengarde Kemper, played by Jada Correll, and Ambrose Kemper, played by Lincoln Everett. In the end, Dolly provides Horace Vandergelder, played by Steve Rau, with a suitable wife as well. The cast of more than 25 will also feature Jess Zeidler as Ernestina.

"'Hello, Dolly!' is a spectacular show," said Burton, who noted Cavod Theatre was in a good position to stage the dance-heavy musical because Cavod Performing Arts trains dancers. "We have been able to utilize their strengths," she said. Burton noted that large numbers including "Before the Parade Passes By," "Put on Your Sunday Clothes," and "Hello, Dolly!" call for families and townspeople in the ensemble. Both Amy Rau and Burton said they were blessed to see lots of teens and children at auditions.

Amy said that the songs themselves are joyful and memorable. "You cannot listen to 'Put on Your Sunday Clothes' without smiling ear-to-ear," she said. "The music is so much fun."

"You leave singing these songs," added Burton, who is also enjoying working with the cast members practicing the Broadway classic. "The seasoned leads are thrilled to have the opportunity to play these iconic roles, and we are getting to teach the younger ones about this historic show."

Tickets, which are discounted for students, may be purchased at ww.cavod.org, by emailing info@cavod.org, or by calling 717-354-3355.