Most people would say that gaslighting someone is a highly unethical thing to do. However, if you are living around the turn of the 20th century, in Yonkers, New York, and are a woman of great renown, widowed, highly talented, and in search of both companionship and fiscal support, then you might just be Dolly Gallagher Levi.
Dolly is the titular character in Cincinnati Landmark Production’s Hello, Dolly! now at the Covedale Center for the Perfoming Arts. A Golden Age Classic, CLP’s take on Hello, Dolly! is full of fun, laughter, life, and just the right amount of romantic longing to turn any old jerk from Yonkers, New York (especially Horace Vandergelder) into a softie full of love and excitement.
Casting at its Finest
The story of Hello, Dolly! needs no introduction for my readers, so I will cut right to the chase. Annie Schneider as Dolly Levi is casting at its finest. Annie carries the role with a duality seen in Broadway greats. She has the comedic timing of Carol Burnett and the voice of a golden age starlet. She commands attention on the stage and does so with a grace and confidence not often seen in a local theatre.
The other standout performance is that of Delaney O’Toole as Irene Molloy, the hat shop owner who falls for the chief clerk, Cornelius Hackle. While she does not have as much stage time as Schneider, she sings with a voice that I could only describe as Julie Andrews-esque. Combine that with her equally excellent comedic timing and you have two excellently casted ladies who help to carry this production to the heights it reaches.
Others in the cast include: Ryan J. Poole (Horace Vandergelder), Christopher Wells (Cornelius), Cian Steele (Barnaby), Hope Louden (Minnie Fay), Elena Boyd (Ermengarde), Royce Louden (Ambrose), Katie McCarthy (Ensemble/Mrs. Rose), Cammi Caudwell (Ernestina/Ensemble), Greg Moore (Rudolph/Ensemble), and the rest of the Ensemble includes Courtney Duncan, Evie Hermann, Elizabeth Travnik, Rachael Petranek, Mia Mires, Caleb Freed, Engler Gonzalez, Dylan Perez, Elijah Wilson, Daniel Gnau, Zach Treinen and Reagan Wildoner.
Production team: Tim Perrino, Director; Joe Rivers, Music Director; Colin Waters, Asst. Director/Stage Manager: Jacob Schaub, Asst. Stage Manager.
Top Notch Choreography & Design
Any good production of Hello, Dolly! needs top tier dancing, and choreographer Cassidy Steele brings just that. Harkening back to Vaudeville, the choreography brings the story to life. Especially in the famous Harmonia Gardens sequence which takes up a bulk of the second act.
Along with the dancing comes the ingenious set design from Brett Bowling utilizing a single set that serves as the Vandergelder hay and feed store, the Harmonia Gardens restaurant, and the Molloy hat shop. Swiveling window stands double as train cars, shop windows, and all of it carrying that late 19th century air of simplicity and elegance.
Overall
Local theatre is the heart beat of theatre across America. In times like this, when so many of us are feeling “down and out,” we could all use a little pick me up and supporting local arts is an excellent plan. So do yourself a favor, “put on your Sunday clothes” and head on over to the Covedale.
Go see Hello, Dolly! playing at the Covedale on Glenway Ave. now until November 2nd. Get your tickets here.
