{"id":5216,"date":"2026-06-24T13:05:40","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T13:05:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/?p=5216"},"modified":"2026-06-24T13:05:40","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T13:05:40","slug":"hello-dolley-celebrating-america-a-spirited-fringe-hit-returns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/?p=5216","title":{"rendered":"Hello, \u2018Dolley\u2019: Celebrating America, a spirited Fringe hit returns"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Hannah McGinley Lemasters is having a ball playing Dolley onstage \u2014 not famed matchmaker Dolly Levi of the beloved musical, but Dolley Madison who served as first lady of the United States for husband James from 1809-1817.<\/p>\n

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Come to think of it, Dolly and Dolley have a lot in common with their optimism, patriotic ideals and ability to manage any situation with quick wit and down-home wisdom.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t turn a duck into a goose, nor would I deign to try,\u201d says Lemasters, quoting one of her favorite lines as the titular star of \u201cDolly. F***ing. Madison.\u201d<\/p>\n

The homegrown comedy from Orlando\u2019s New Generation Theatrical was a huge hit at the recent Orlando Fringe Festival, garnering critical acclaim and taking home the Critics\u2019 Choice Award for best comedy play of the fest. Just in time for the nation\u2019s milestone 250th birthday, the show returns for two performances July 3 and 5.<\/p>\n

The story of Dolley Madison \u2014 saving the treasured portrait of George Washington for the nation while British soldiers advanced on the capital during the War of 1812 \u2014 is well-known, if not entirely accurate as usually told.<\/p>\n

But it inspired playwright Michael Knight, who is known for highly regarded comedies such as \u201cThe Fabulous King James Bible,\u201d which finds humor in looking at faith and sexuality, and \u201c\u201cThe Foreplay: An Exploration of the Birth of Our Nation,\u201d which is a madcap take on the creation of the Bill of the Rights.<\/p>\n

Like \u201cDolley,\u201d the other plays use historical fact, piercing insight and raucous comedy to shine a light on contemporary issues.<\/p>\n

\u201cMichael is so interested in all sorts of history, especially early America,\u201d says Lemasters, a longtime friend and creative collaborator. The two started pondering a play about Dolley through \u201clots of random conversations,\u201d Lemasters says, as they wondered, \u201cWouldn\u2019t it be funny if there was a show about her trying to stall the soldiers?\u201d<\/p>\n

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And, as far as Knight was concerned, he had his Dolley already. She was Southern, smart, gracious and the type of hostess who threw fabulous parties that made everyone feel welcome and comfortable \u2014 even those from opposing ends of the political spectrum. That\u2019s how he saw Lemasters, who hails from Tennessee.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think there\u2019s nobody better for this,\u201d says the playwright-director. \u201cHannah is incredibly personable and charming. She\u2019s a consummate host. She runs a room.\u201d<\/p>\n

And that\u2019s what Dolley does for the length of Knight\u2019s one-act play.<\/p>\n

In reality, Dolley Madison didn\u2019t come face to face with British soldiers. She remained in the White House until she knew the Washington portrait was secured and then she left with other city residents before the British set the city alight. She also didn\u2019t save the painting herself; her Black teenage slave Paul Jennings and others did at her direction.<\/p>\n

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So Knight has taken some dramatic liberties \u2014 Paul Jennings is replaced by a woman, who is also confidante to Dolley \u2014 but those liberties pay off, as Dolley and friend hold two British soldiers of very different temperament at bay.<\/p>\n

All the while, Dolley is teaching the Brits about the principles of democracy \u2014 an uplifting reminder of the ideals that form the foundation of our country.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the times we live in right now, letting people think about those ideals while they\u2019re laughing is cathartic,\u201d Knight says.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, His Majesty\u2019s soldiers point out the potential problems with democracy, many of which can be observed today.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn order for people to listen, you have to tell the truth from both sides,\u201d Knight says. \u201cThen they can apply it however they want.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some of the moments in the show resonate particularly strongly in the present. President James Monroe had his reasons for declaring war against Great Britain in 1812 but they were not universally accepted.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a line, \u2018Just because a president starts a war doesn\u2019t mean the American people agree with him,’\u201d Lemasters says. \u201cThat gets a reaction from audiences.\u201d<\/p>\n

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But the show is pro-democracy, not partisan. During its Orlando Fringe Festival run,\u00a0\u201cnobody responded politically, I got a lot of thank-you\u2019s,\u201d Knight says. \u201cI feel like a lot of people heard their thoughts reflected.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lemasters agrees that the audience response is not based on political parties.<\/p>\n

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