DANVILLE — Danville Light Opera will open its 2010-11 community theater season with the American musical comedy “Hello Dolly!”

Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23 and 2 p.m. Oct. 24, at the Danville High School auditorium.

This lively, award-winning Broadway classic follows Dolly Levi — played by Beckey Burgoyne — a crafty matchmaker extraordinaire, who has her eye on the half-a-millionaire bachelor Horace Vandergelder (Ron McDaniel).

The show is packed with hilarious love triangles, over-the-top encounters and unforgettable tunes, including “Before the Parade Passes By,” “It Only Takes a Moment,” and the familiar “Hello Dolly.”

The production is directed by Tom Fricke. Karen Grove is the music director and Cherie Turner directs the choreography. Other production team members include Mary Ellen Fricke, producer; Ann Wagle, accompanist; and Kathy Hantz, costumes.

Tom Fricke said, “I’ve loved the musical ‘Hello Dolly’ ever since my high school produced it back when I was in eighth grade.” Although he’s been involved in nearly every DLO production since 2000, this is his first time as director.

“We had so many talented individuals audition that it was very difficult to choose the cast members,” Fricke said. “Nobody told me that this part of my job would be so hard.”

Grove agreed with Fricke.

“We have one of the strongest groups of principal actors in this show that I’ve ever worked with,” she said, “but it took us a long time to make a choice from all the people who auditioned.

“I don’t know if people realize how hard our cast rehearses for a show like this,” Grove said. “We practice three nights a week for two months, and every night during the week before the show. It’s a huge commitment.

“People will especially like ‘Hello Dolly’ because there are so many songs that they will recognize. It’s a show that the whole family will enjoy.”

The musical accompaniment for “Hello Dolly” includes piano, keyboard, trombone, guitar, flute and clarinet. Grove has been with DLO for about 16 years, starting out by playing flute in the orchestra.

“Hello Dolly” cast members include Burgoyne as Dolly Levi, McDaniel as Horace Vandergelder, Cole Huber as Cornelius Hackl, Kalen McGowan as Barnaby Tucker and Michelle Bahr as Irene Molloy.

Others cast members are Stephanie Keller as Minnie Faye, Chelsea Collier as Ermengarde Vandergelder, Jason Asaad as Ambrose Kemper, Mary Ann Cecil as Ernestina and Brad Pollert as Rudolph.

Season memberships still are available for $50, which includes a ticket for the other two shows this season: “A, My Name is Alice,” the dinner theater on Feb. 18-20 at Danville Area Community College Bremer Center Theater, and “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” May 6-8, also at DACC.

Danville Light Opera was founded in 1956, making it the oldest musical theater group in the area. All of DLO’s cast, crew and operations are made up of volunteers. For more information, visit the DLO Web site at http://www.danvillelightopera.com.

FOR TICKETS

Reservations for “Hello Dolly” can be phoned into the box office at 431-1660, or visit the box office at the Village Mall (near the former Steve and Barry’s).

Box office hours are 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 17, and also 6-8 p.m. Oct. 18 through 21.

Tickets also can be purchased at First Savings Bank, 6 W. Williams St., during regular banking hours.

Remaining tickets will be sold at the door. Tickets are $17 per person, and student tickets are $12 (with student ID). Group tickets are $15 when groups of 10 or more are purchased at one time.