Dolphin Show


The Dolphin Show is a non-profit student theatre organization that annually presents a large-scale student-produced musical theatre production at Northwestern University.

History

A group of Northwestern University men formed the Dolphin Club in 1939 to compete in Chicago area swimming meets. In 1940, the 15-member team held a swim carnival to raise money to attend a meet in Florida. The carnival and the meet were both successful, so the water show was repeated in 1941 and 1942. When World War II forced the cancellation of the annual Waa-Mu Show, the club combined their tradition with some students from Waa-Mu to present an evening of song and dance called the Dolphin Show. The 1944 Dolphin Show was a musical revue called "Wela Kahau" including women's water ballet and the men's Dolphin Club. Proceeds from this show bought war bonds. In 1948 audiences returned to see a musical-comedy revue around the original Patten Gymnasium pool.
The Dolphin Show became jointly produced by the female Lorelei swimming club in 1949, but drifted away from its aquatic origin. The Dolphin Executive Board gave equal representation to both clubs who chose a theme for each year's show. In 1963 the production was no longer raising funds for the swim clubs. In 1964 the show presented Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado around the pool.
In 1970, the group performed the musical Mame on stage at Cahn Auditorium.
Alumni include actors David Schwimmer, Warren Beatty, Richard Kind, lyricist Sheldon Harnick, musical director Keith Dworkin, singer Ardis Krainik and Kate Shindle who was Miss America 1998.
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Shows

The productions have been awarded Northwestern University's Center for Student Involvement's "Outstanding Theatrical Production", "Outstanding Producers", and "Outstanding Director" awards, as well as William Daniels Awards, including "Best Musical."
YearShowDirectorsProducersMusic DirectorsChoreographer
2019Hello, Dolly!Isabel PerryCasey Watson
Andrew Harlan
Austin Manross
Joe Badion
Louis Danowsky
Tucker DeGregrory
2018RagtimeMichael HerwitzMichael Kelleher
Prateek Singh
Noah Landis
Bryan Eng
Tucker DeGregrory
2017Little Shop of HorrorsMaggie MonahanBailey Sutton
Janie Dickerson
Landon Hegedus
Matthew Burgess
Lauryn Schmelzer
2016GypsyAaron Simon GrossBrandon Nadig
Alex Wolfe
Jonathan Bauerfeld
Geoffrey Ko
Rosie Jo Neddy
2015TitanicBrendan FlynnJack Eidson
Isabel Garcia
Jason Shuian
Andrea Swanson
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2014Shrek the MusicalMarlee RichRachel Marchant
Brandon Johnston
Ellen Morris
Adam Rothenberg
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2013My Fair LadyTristan PowellLouis Schermerhorn
Rachel Birnbaum
Ellen Morris
Kevin Scott
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201242nd StreetEmily MaltbyJeremey Shpizner
Lucas McMahon
Patrick Sulken-
2011RagtimeMichael HoltzmanJulie Boor
Lucas McMahon
Liz Doran
Patrick Sulken
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2010ParadeScott G. WeinsteinZachary Baer
Tom Casserly
Jamie Lynn White
Ian Weinberger-
2009The Wizard of OzKatie SpelmanZachary Baer
Tracy MacKenzie
Kyly Zakheim
Will Curry
Liz Doran
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2008CarouselTyler G. BeattieBrittney Anne Bahlman
Deanna Hope
Eugenio Vargas-
2007Into the WoodsTravis GreislerDave Leuchter
Evyn Williams
Joel Esher-
2006On the TownJosh PenzellAbra Chusid
Whitney Frick
Keith Dworkin-
2005How to Succeed in Business Without Really TryingEvan BrodyAbby Wolbe
Rachael Scholten
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2004'Sloan Gordon GrenzDanna Ginsberg
Dana Oppenheim
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2003EvitaJonathan SaylorsChris Plevin
Amy Ludwigsen
Cory Hills
Daniel Singer
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2002Damn YankeesJessica RedishMegan Felsburg
Geeta Kharker
Greg Brown-
2001The Secret GardenMatthew TrombettaKate Webster
Karyn Meltz
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2000Kiss of the Spider WomanMikie GarverClaire Yoon and Kim Kelly--
1999Guys and Dolls----
1998'----