The Golden Age classic musical Hello, Dolly! joyously struts onto the Covedale Center for the Performing Arts stage.
Plot and Characters
In the early 20th Century, wealthy Yonkers New York businessman Horace Vandergelder (Ryan Poole) hires matchmaker Dolly Levi (Annie Schneider) to find him a bride. Dolly, however, has her eye on Horace for herself but does arrange a meeting with Irene Malloy (Delaney O’Toole). Meanwhile, Horace’s clerks Cornelius (Christopher Wells) and Barneby (Cian Steele) plan a big, adventurous weekend in New York City and meet Irene and her friend Minnie (Hope Louden) first. A potential romance ensues between the four characters.
The big meeting between Horace and now Mrs. Rose (Katie McCarthy) is set for the glamorous restaurant Harmonia Gardens but Dolly plans to catch Horace for herself. Chaos ensues when all six people show up at the same time. It is a story of second chances exploring opportunities.
Musical Numbers
Composer/lyricist Jerry Herman contributed one of his best known and beloved scores for this show including ballads, character songs and big production numbers. Dolly intones her philosophy in “I Put My Hand In Here” while Horace shows why he wants a mate in “It Takes a Woman.” Cornelius and Barnaby are joined by the chorus in the rousing “Put on Your Sunday Clothes” as they plan their trip to the Big City. Irene introduces herself with the klezmer tinged “Ribbons Down My Back” and then teaches Cornelius and Barnaby some fancy steps in “Dancing.” Since they do not have funds for a cab to the Harmonia Gardens, they walk to the restaurant with “Elegance.”
The huge number is the title song preceded by a welcoming dance by the waiters. Dolly descends a staircase like royalty returning to the palace joined by the chorus as they jointly herald her arrival. After the ensuing fracas at the Gardens, Cornelius explains to the judge “It Only Takes a Moment.”
Herman is renowned for writing “hummable” (his words) songs and uplifting production numbers. This production does not disappoint. The cast is clearly having fun doing the show. The singing is very good highlighted by O’Toole’s contributions and her love duet with Wells.
Comedy
This is a very funny show. The comedy emanates primarily from the interaction between the disparate characters while Dolly connives her way into Horace’s heart. An ongoing gag is a series of business cards which Dolly dispenses to cover every exigency. The zaniness is on full display by Wells (Cornelius), Steele (Barnaby), Hope Louden (Minnie), Royce Louden (Ambrose) and Elena Boyd (Ermengarde). Poole’s Vandergelder is sufficiently pompous and stuffy to counter the craziness. Throughout the show, Dolly pleads with her deceased husband to allow her to remarry. A cute sight gag is a dancing horse. Many of the dances double as comedic turns.
Production Team
Director Tim Perrino has expertly wedded the singing, acting, and dancing into a seamless production. There is a lot of movement and changing props which Perrino and Choreographer Cassidy Steele coordinate well. The dancing is very good, high energy and constant. The entire ensemble sings (Joe Rivers, Music Director) and dances at a high level with Wells, Steele, O’Toole, and Louden leading the primary characters The CLP Costume Team (June Hill, Jesselee Whitson, Jenny Partridge, Karen Haggis, Susan Hinnefeld) works overtime to recreate costumes for the gentrified and not so gentrified cast with a blizzard of colors and cloth plus the waiter’s uniforms. Dolly has several outfits including the dazzling red dress in the title song scene and a finishing wedding gown. As usual, Brett Bowling’s designs set the stage beautifully. A static backstage doubles for multiple scenes enhanced with a myriad of props. The centerfold is the stairway in the Gardens.
Overall
It is tricky to present a well-known, beloved play since the audience has certain expectations. This is also a star vehicle, with zany and eccentric characters surrounding the lead. To work, Dolly must commandeer the stage with strong energetic support from the other actors. This production succeeds and exudes the charm and exuberance required.
Get Tickets to Hello, Dolly!
So, put on your Sunday clothes and stroll with “elegance” to the Harmonia Gardens (aka the Covedale Theater) running through November 2. Get your tickets using THIS LINK or by calling the Box Office 513-241-6550 – Monday – Friday, 11am – 5pm.
