Maine State Music Theatre. Tara Lynn Steele and Michael Ivan Carrier in Maine State Music Theatre’s production of “Hello Dolly!” (Roger S. Duncan photo)
BRUNSWICK– It only takes a moment to fall in love with Maine State Music Theatre’s “Hello Dolly!”
The show is not the type to bring a tear to the audience’s eye, nor is it likely to prompt any philosophical discussions or musings about life afterward, but it is the type of show that leaves audience members laughing and humming the tunes as they leave. Quite simply, “Hello Dolly!” is just a really good time.
The show, directed by Donna Drake, follows the fast-talking, matchmaking Dolly Gallagher Levi (Charis Leos) as she travels to New York City to find a match for curmudgeonly, frugal–some might say downright stingy– Horace Vandergelder (David Girolmo), the well-known “half-a-millionaire.” But for Dolly, widowed and tired of living hand-to-mouth, there’s no better match for Horace than herself. The show follows her exploits as she cons her way into his heart. Meanwhile, Horace’s overworked, underpaid employees Cornelius Hackl (Matt Gibson) and Barnaby Tucker (Michael Nigro) also set off for the big city where they plan to see the sights and kiss some girls. The show is adapted from Thornton Wilder’s “The Matchmaker” and the initial Broadway run earned 10 Tony Awards
Gibson and Nigro are loveable as the two, good-intentioned store clerks, and Nigro’s performance as clueless Tucker could be considered over-done if he weren’t so charming and loveable.
Lauren Blackman’s performance as the beautiful Irene Malloy is wonderful, as is her rendition of “Ribbons Down My Back.”
It’s Dolly, though, who of course, steals the show. Originally portrayed by Carol Channing in 1964, and then later Bette Midler and now Betty Buckley, the role has long been held by a star. Leos has power behind her vocals and “Before The Parade Passes By” in the first act and “Hello Dolly” in the second give her a chance to show off. Her comedic timing, too, is on point. One scene, which with many other actors could have dragged, simply has Dolly sitting and enjoying a meal with gusto, licking turkey bones, eating dumpling after dumpling, even fishing into the top of her dress for a dropped morsel and sticking a roll in her purse for later. It’s a moment reminiscent of Lucille Ball.
For all the skill displayed on the stage, some of the true marvels of the production are visual. Ryan Moller’s original costume design is filled with enough color and swinging skirts to make any little girl sigh, and Dolly’s iconic and glittering red dress is, as Moller promised the spring, “unlike anything we’ve seen before.”
One of the most fun scenes in the entire show is at the Harmonia Gardens restaurant, watching the waiters dance. Rhonda Miller’s choreography features smiling waiters gliding through jumps, leaps, flips and the synchronized movement of serving trays. Even without lyrics, the “Waiters Gallop” is one of the show’s highlights.
Through all the song, dance and romance, the show is at its core, about money. Dolly is after Horace Vandergelder for his money. Barnaby and Cornelius strike out on their own due to their resentment over lack of money, and then pretend to have money to impress Molloy and her employee/friend, Minnie Fay. For much of the performance, Horace is chasing a woman literally named Ernestina Money.
The problem with this is that Dolly and Horace’s love for money in many ways eclipses their love for each other. Even after the chase, there is no indication that Dolly actually loves Horace. There is no real progressive softening of his character. The two do not spend a lot of time together, have anything in common or even seem to have any genuine affection for one another, but since it is a musical, we can look past this.
While the romance between the two may be less than believable, the show has a great deal of heart. Dolly’s asides to her late husband Ephraim, asking for a sign, telling him it’s time for her to move on, are touching, and somewhat rare for such a fun and funny play. Cornelius and Irene’s duet, “It Only Takes a Moment” is lovely, and the audience can’t help but root for the two.
“Hello Dolly!” is a fun, upbeat, funny and at times touching show about love, adventure and yes, money. It’s worth yours for a ticket.
“Hello Dolly!” is on stage at Bowdoin College’s Pickard Theater through Aug. 3.
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