LT theatre debuts the play “Matchmaker” March 17 at 7p.m. in the Reber Center, with following performances Saturday March 18 at 7 p.m. and March 19 at 3 p.m.

“The humor in the characters as they pursue their adventures and find their matches is my favorite thing about the play,” director Ann Dudek said. “There are also some poignant pieces of wisdom that they share in the play about how one lives and if they are living fully or just going through the motions.”

“Matchmaker” is a farce from the 1950s. A farce is a comedy that entertains the audience with extravagant and highly improbable scenes. The play is about a woman named Dolly Levi the “matchmaker” who helps a Horace Vandergelder a 60-year-old widower find a suitable wife, while also helping other characters find a “match” along the way.

“I was absolutely thrilled to be granted this part,” lead cast member Sarah Valeika ’18 said. “Any lead is exciting, but in auditioning, I knew Dolly to possess a vitality and dominance that were really intriguing to me. To be given a chance to lift her off a page and onto a stage is such a gift to me, and I was so grateful to be cast.”

Valeika has been participating in LT theatre since her freshman year. The first role she played was in Julius Ceasar, which was directed by Dudek. The other lead in the play, Horace Vandergelder, is played by Ben Jouras ’19.

“My favorite things about directing are getting to see interesting characters come to life, to tell a story for the audience’s pleasure and for enlightenment,” Dudek said.

The cast has been preparing for Matchmaker since Jan.25 every day after school for several hours. The two weeks leading up to the play the cast has rehearsals that last up to five hours every day after school.

“I think it’s going to be great,” Jouras said. “I’m so lucky to be in a cast with so many talented actors and actresses. Everyone has such a great sense for comedy and they all bring something different but equally important to the table.”