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Peer Reviews Hello Dolly Entire contents are copyright © 2007, David DeSpain. All rights reserved.
Until June 24th, there is a Broadway extravaganza playing at the Iroquois Amphitheater -- Hello Dolly. Now, everyone has heard of Hello Dolly, and they can probably picture the scene of Dolly coming down the stairs singing the title song, but there is so much more than that to enjoy about this show. And it certainly doesn't hurt that this is just the type of show that works so well in an outdoor amphitheater. It is a big show with big musical numbers -- loads of singing and even more dancing -- and dialogue that is pithy and clear. Director Mark Martino, under the auspices of Music Theatre Louisville, has staged a wonderful production. When someone wishes to go to the theatre to be entertained, this is the type of show they should see. The set is massive and impressive, and yet done with such care down to every last detail that one wonders how they possibly could have come in under budget. The costumes are marvelous, showing obvious concern not just for the look of the era but also for the dance movements that the actors will be required to do. Speaking of which, the choreography, directed by Donna Richards, was an absolute pleasure to watch. The dance numbers in this show, and there are a lot of them, are imaginative, filled with energy, and executed by the actors with tremendous aplomb. The Waiters' Gallop deserves special note. The orchestra filled the space with glorious music while not being too overwhelming or drowning out the equally fine singing. One almost suspects it was a conspiracy to make the opening remarks before the play sound as though they were coming from inside a cave, just so that then when the show started, the audience would be that much more impressed. xx
From top to bottom, this cast did an outstanding job. One often sees shows where the acting is good but the singing leaves something to be desired, or the dancing is incredible but the acting is wooden. None of that here. The cast did such a fine job that it was impossible to tell if they were actors who could sing and dance, or singers who could dance and act. Sharon Murray Harrah was excellent as Dolly and fully deserved the standing ovation she received. If one were to start pointing out others in the cast for special recognition, however, it would take quite some time to finish. Hence, in the interest of brevity, kudos to all for a terrific performance. This is a gushing review, but only because the show deserves it. There may be some who would argue that it is undeserving because theatre should advance the social consciousness and should send the audience away deep in thought. Hello Dolly does not. What it does do, however, is remind us just how glorious music and movement can be, and when the social consciousness becomes just a tad overwrought, a show like this is just what it needs. Music Theatre Louisville still has three more shows for this season, and if Hello Dolly is any indication, they all should be remarkable. The amphitheater is at Iroquois Park, and tickets can be had by dialing 589-4060.
Hello Dolly
June 15 - 24, 2007
Posted June 23, 2007
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