Page 14 - Hello, Dolly! Playbill

Cast

Kaiya Knodel (Dolly Levi) hopes her final MHA performance
leaves the audience laughing, humming a tune, and feeling like they
just had a five-course meal at the Harmonia Gardens—complete
with a grand entrance, a little matchmaking mischief, and an
unforgettable goodbye. A senior and 13-year MHA student, Kaiya
has brought life to a variety of characters, including most recently
Mrs. Gibbs (Our Town), Sally Brown (You’re a Good Man, Charlie
Brown), and Officer O’Hara (Arsenic and Old Lace). She loves the
Harmonia Gardens scene, where the “Waiters’ Gallop,” iconic “Hello, Dolly!” song,
and witty character interactions create pure theatrical magic. As she prepares to take her
final MHA bow, Kaiya reflects, “As I look back on my acting career, I am struck with
the fact that this is an end. I have cherished every practice, realizing that these
memories will be some of my last at MHA.” When she’s not performing, you can find
her spending time with family and friends or doodling. She would like to thank her
parents for their unwavering support—her mom for helping with playbills and driving
her to rehearsals for many years, and her dad for running lines with her and always
cheering her on from the audience.

Seventh-grader Eli Lewandowski (Ensemble, Waiter) was most
recently seen as Ferret in The Wind in the Willows. His favorite scene
from Hello, Dolly! is at the Harmonia Gardens restaurant. Eli has
especially enjoyed hanging out with friends during rehearsals.
Offstage, you can find him reading.

Put on Your Sunday Clothes and Grab a Treat!

Let your taste buds say, “Hello, Delicious!” with a visit to the
concession stand. Enjoy delightful homemade treats and
support the show. Concessions are available for purchase by
donation before the show, during intermission, or after the
performance. “It Only Takes a Moment” to indulge!