TAR
Menu

triangle arts review

DPAC's "Hello, Dolly!" is an Absolute Delight

5/22/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Betty Buckley & the Hello, Dolly! National Tour Company - 2018. Photo by Julieta Cervantes.
Almost every theatregoer knows the story of charming matchmaker and major meddler, Dolly Levi (Betty Buckley). However, her story has never been told in a bigger, bolder, or more fascinating way than in the current revival production at DPAC, directed by Jerry Zaks and featuring the fabulous choreography of Warren Carlyle.

The story, set in 1885, focuses on Dolly, a woman “who arranges things” and her current scheme to marry the “half a millionaire” Horace Vandergelder (Lewis J. Stadlen). Of course, she can’t just come right out and tell him she plans to marry him. Instead, she has to first steer him clear of his current intended, Irene Molloy (Analisa Leaming), and ward off plenty of distractions along the way. As one can expect, this leads to a hilarious story with lots of surprises and tricky situations along the way.

When the audience isn’t busy laughing at one mishap or another, it’s treated to incredible, larger-than-life musical numbers. Carlyle’s choreography is bold, impressive, and fabulously over-the-top. Standout numbers include “Put On Your Sunday Clothes,” which features the whole cast decked out in colorful costumes and twirling parasols, and “The Waiters’ Gallop,” where waiters gracefully twirl and leap with silver serving plates in their hands. And, on a smaller, softer scale, “It Only Takes a Moment” is one of the show’s sweetest numbers and adds real heart to the production.

The musical numbers, bold as they may be, cannot detract from the strong performances of the cast. Buckley is funny, scheming, and wonderfully, winkingly lovable in her portrayal of Dolly. Equally charming and funny are Cornelius (Nic Rouleau) and Barnaby (Sean Burns), Mr. Vandergelder’s young employees who have stolen off to New York City for an adventure. Sharing great chemistry, Rouleau and Burns are physically funny and sweetly endearing in all the right ways. They’re perfectly matched with the characters’ female companions, Irene Molloy and Minnie Fay (Kristen Hahn). And, where Leaming’s performance as Irene is sweet and even a little sultry, Hahn’s is hilarious. She steals many scenes with her tittering, silly portrayal of Minnie.

Fabulous costumes, extreme musical numbers, and great acting all add up to make this revival performance one of the biggest, most fun shows at DPAC yet. Long-time fans of the musical and newcomers to the story alike will delight in this feel-good show.




0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    TAR

    We love the arts. We write about them. Founded 2018.

    Categories

    All
    5 Questions
    Book Reviews
    Burning Coal
    Carolina Ballet
    Cary Players
    Concert Reviews
    Dance
    Dance Reviews
    DPAC
    Durham Performing Arts Center
    Forest Moon Theater
    "From The Pit" By Michael Macsuga
    Harnett Regional Theatre
    High School Theatre
    July 2021
    Koka Booth Amphitheatre
    Music
    NCT
    NC Theatre
    Neuse Little Theatre
    North Carolina Theatre
    North Raleigh Arts & Creative Theatre
    PlayMakers Repertory Company
    Press Releases
    Raleigh Dance Theatre
    Raleigh Little Theatre
    Raleigh Memorial Auditorium
    ShaLeigh Dance Works
    Theatre In The Park
    Theatre Raleigh
    Theatre Reviews
    The Towne Players Of Garner

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact