Review - Hello Dolly

The Production Company Presents

Hello Dolly

Book by Michael Stewart

Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman

Based on the play The Matchmaker by Thornton Wilder

Directed by Garry Young

Musical Director - Vanessa Scammell

Choreographer - Kirsten King

Costume Designer - Isaac Lummis

Set Designer –Shaun Gurton

Lighting Designer - Nigel Levings

Sound Design – System Sound

Dolly Levi – Marina Prior

Ambrose Kemper – Jack Van Staveren

Horace Vandergelder – Grant Piro

Ermengarde – Baylie Carson

Cornelius Hackle – Glenn Hill

Barnaby Tucker – Nigel Huckle

Minnie Fay – Imogen Moore

Irene Malloy –Verity Hunt-Ballard

Rudolph Reisenweber – Mike Snell

Ernestina Simple – Alana Tranter

Stanley/Judge – Brenton Wilson

Ensemble:

Ella Burns, Matthew Jenson, Sam Marks, Rubin Matters, Thalia Smith, Suzanne Steele, Rachael Ward and Brenton Wilson

Playhouse – Arts Centre Melbourne

27 May to 11 June 2017

Hello Dolly is one of Broadways most successful Musicals and not surprisingly, the music by Jerry Herman is delightful and the story adapted by Michael Stewart from Thornton Wilder’s play The Matchmaker it’s full of humanity and lovely witty lines.

This simple story about finding love in New York is universal, heartwarming and presented in a wholly engaging, fluid way by The Production Company.

Marina Prior, as the marvelously perceptive, understanding and controlling Dolly Levi a Matchmaker, ever so lightly holds the audience in the palm of her hand.  Prior, who can play with nuance in the bat of an eyelid, makes a delightful open and relaxed Dolly.  As anticipated it is well worth seeing this lovely contained production for her alone.  But there is much, much more to delight.

The staging is crisp and clean on a simple yet evocative set, by Shaun Gurton.  This skillfully designed and maneuvered framework is indicative of various locations.  Less is more.  The exceptionally proficient, open hearted and generous performers enhance settings by creating ambiance in divinely colourful costuming by Isaac Lummis. 

The orchestra, conducted by Musical Director Vanessa Scammell, is

situated centre stage and appropriately part of the action.  The added touch of instrumentalists watching the performers with delight and joy is heartwarming and all this adds to the lively natural feel - intrinsic to the production as a whole.

Garry Young ‘s direction is streamlined and uncluttered.  Kristen King has created some great environment defining tableaux with her choreography.  She draws from the fresh energetic ensemble many unexpected feats of fluid circus-like flips that amaze and delight.   Show stopper ‘Hello Dolly’ is outstanding, in fact breathtaking as a feat of mastery of swift lively movement/dance.

All performers reach way past the proscenium arch to charm their audience:  Glen Hill as Cornelius Hackle the downtrodden chief clerk exhibits excellent comic timing.   We truly care about his plight knowing that for love of Irene Molloy (Verity Hunt-Ballard),

he is going out on a brittle precarious limb.  Grant Piro plays the scrooge very eligible widower Horace Vandergelder like a comfortable second skin.  The lively and vivacious character Minnie Fay is given lovely bouncy elevation by Imogen Moore.

We are so fortunate to have The Production Company in Melbourne and all its invaluable philanthropic supporters.  And it is particularly heartening and satisfying to be able to watch recent grads from VCA and WAPPA and other young emerging performers being given this opportunity to excel and sparkle. 

All-in-all Hello Dolly is a splendid evening/or afternoon’s entertainment, and a marvelous opportunity, if you haven’t already bought tickets, to treat someone to a most entertaining performance of song dance, love and laughter.

Suzanne Sandow

(For Stage Whispers)