Tony nominee Nancy Opel will play Dolly Levi in the Ford's Theatre production of Hello, Dolly!, according to the Washington Post. Co-produced with Virginia's Signature Theatre, the production will open on March 15, 2013 at Washington D.C.'s Ford's Theatre.
Directed by Eric Schaeffer, the Tony-winning musical farce is based on Thornton Wilder’s The Matchmaker, and centers on matchmaker Dolly Levi (Opel), who is hired by the wealthy Horace Vandergelder to find him a wife, but she thinks she is the best candidate. Jerry Herman’s memorable score and charming lyrics place the irresistibly mischievous Dolly center stage, making the role one of the most celebrated in musical theatre.
Opel received a Tony nomination for Urinetown. Her other Broadway credits include Memphis, Hair, Ring Round the Moon, Triumph of Love, Getting Away With Murder, Sunday in the Park with George, Teddy & Alice, Anything Goes and Evita.
Additional casting will be announced at a later date.