Widowed but brassy matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi makes a living through what she calls meddling matchmaking and numerous sidelines including dance instruction and mandolin lessons. She travels to Yonkers, New York to visit her client, grumpy Horace Vandergelder, a prominent citizen and wealthy bachelor in need of a wife to tend to himself and his home. It is soon clear, however, that Dolly intends to marry Horace herself and to send his money circulating among the people like rainwater, the way her late husband taught her.