Wilder comedy The Matchmaker set Nov. 11-13

Exploding cans of tomatoes, mistaken identity, a drunkard thief, and lots and lots of pudding—these are just a few of the delightful bits in Thornton Wilder’s play, The Matchmaker. This fast-paced comedy is coming to Chickasha courtesy of director Katie Davis, and the USAO Drama Department.

The play will run from Nov. 11-13 at 7:30 p.m. at Davis Hall on USAO’s campus. Tickets will be available at the door for $10 for adults and $5 for children.

Nineteen people were cast in USAO’s production. Following USAO's mission of interdisciplinary education, a full third of the cast are pursuing majors other than drama. Although the majority of the cast is made up of students, the title role of the matchmaker is being played by Dr. Jeanette Loutsch, an assistant professor of biology at USAO.

The play compliments a number of the courses in drama being taught at USAO this semester. The courses Modern American Drama and Introduction to Theatre will analyze The Matchmaker and review the production. The two acting courses being taught this trimester stress different styles of acting, and the show provides many of the students from both classes a chance to apply what they are learning.

The history of The Matchmaker is unique and interesting. It was rewritten four times, over the course of a century, finally reaching its full potential when Thornton Wilder adapted the story into its final form in 1953.  The story revolves around the New York tycoon Horace Vandergelder who employs the matchmaker, Dolly Levi, to find him a wife. The action of the play is set in motion when Mr. Vandergelder heads to New York City with Mrs. Levi to look for a wife, followed by his clerks, who skip work in search of an adventure.

With all the slapstick, puns and stunts in the play, USAO's fall production of The Matchmaker is sure to live up to its own history and promises to bring its audience both joy and laughter.