Review: HELLO DOLLY captures the hearts of many at Firehouse Theatre

Hello Dolly

Book by Michael Stewart

Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman

Based on the play The Matchmaker by Thornton Wilder

Directed by Pamela Angelero

Music Directed by Billy Veer

Choregraphed by Victoria Ann Lee

Reviewed by Aubrey Tarantino

Picture a classic musical – big numbers, fast-paced dance breaks, and bright costumes. Without realizing it, you’ve just perfectly pictured Hello, Dolly! In this quintessential musical, we follow Mrs. Dolly Levi, played by the incomparable Stacia Goad-Malone from Yonkers to New York City as she tries to matchmake for the "half-a-millionaire" Horace Vandergelder, played by Michael Brightman, along with some other characters that we meet along the way. Goad-Malone is a natural on the stage as Dolly. She has a melodic voice that carries throughout the theater and captures the character well, as if she could sell wood to a forest. A dynamic partner to Goad-Malone, Brightman shows up as the stern curmudgeon who, by the end, has the whole audience loving him.

Throughout the show we also see matchmaking take place between a few others. The main couple we follow is Cornelius Hackl, played by Garrett Holton, and Irene Molloy, played by Molly Robinson. Holton and Robinson both had strong voices, a good energy between them, and took up the space on the stage like seasoned professionals do. One fun angle of their relationship is the relationship that grows alongside them, that of Barnaby and Minnie. Cornelius’ sidekick is Barnaby, played by Max Morgan. Morgan has the best facial expressions in the show and has a voice that melds well with whoever he is partnered with. Barnaby ends up matching with Irene’s assistant, Minnie, played by Tilda Grace. Grace is quirky and light-hearted, and a wonderful storyteller. Watching the two couples take on the city made the audience’s night!

One of the greatest parts of this show is the ensemble. They are fun, upbeat and truly one of the best ensembles I have seen in a while, with numbers that are flawlessly executed. Choreographer, Victoria Ann Lee and dance captain, Emilia Gambucci, did a spectacular job!

Hello Dolly is lively and cheerful, with bright costumes, beautiful songs and spectacular talent! You will LOVE  it– from beginning to end! Grab your tickets for The Firehouse Theatre and see this show before it’s gone. Tickets can be purchased at https://thefirehousetheatre.com/

Audience Rating: G

Running Time: 2 hours with a 15 minute intermission

Accessible seating: Available

Hearing Devices Available: Not available

Sensory Friendly Showing: Not available

Production Sound Level: Comfortable

Noises and Visuals to Know About: None

Be Well!

Aubrey Tarantino