Review: Mill Town Players Dazzle with "Dolly"

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

“Hello Dolly” danced into the historic Pelzer Auditorium Friday night with an energetic cast breathing life into the adaptation musical which wowed Broadway in 1964.

As usual, the stage setting was exceptional, with vibrancy and detail not generally seen in local theater, thanks to the always inventive and creative direction of Mill Town Players Founder Will Ragland. The stage lighting and color, including the wonderful period costumes (shout out to Costume Designer Stacey Hawks), were simply stunning.  

The play vibrates, often with a full stage of actors, trotting out musical and dance numbers that were at times inspired to the point of enchantment. Director Reed Halvorson and Choreographer Katie Stewart are deserving of a standing ovation for their work bringing  the adaptation of Thornton Wilder's “The Matchmaker,” and the book by Michael Stewart, bringing shining to a musical familiar to many as the show made famous by Carol Channing when it opened Jan. 16, 1964, at the St. James Theatre. (And reprised by Barbra Streisand in the movie on Dec. 16. 1969).

The stage is full of life in “Put on Your Sunday Clothes” at the Yonkers Depot, kicking off the display of the amazing costumes and kicking off the energy, with a dance which evolves into a human railroad car pulled by an engine, bringing cheers from the crowd.

Halvorson and Stewart’s efforts float with style, dazzling the sold-out crowd with music, movement and color, framed beautifully by big-stage lighting which adds punch to the production.

The essential story is simple, following the playful performance of Mary Freeman as the ever-resourceful widow, Mrs. Dolly Gallaeher Levi, a matchmaker (and jack-of-all trades, according to her seemingly endless stack of custom business cards). Freeman’s Dolly is all goodwill in her grifting, holding the bright smile and innocent-posture as she schemes to sabotage one of her matchmaking client’s marriages to a half-millionaire, on whom she has designs for herself. A founding board member of the Mill Town Players and well-know veteran actor, Freeman manages to be wide-eyed and a bit shifty eyed at the same time, part of the essence of Dolly. Freeman is all bluster and all heart.

Freeman’s teaching dancing to the reluctant Cornelius Hackl (Westin Edwards) and Barnaby Tucker (Cameron Woodson), is a highlight of physical humor and fun. Edwards, is all-in as the 33-year-old chief clerk aching for a life and love beyond Yonkers. His dance numbers and comic timing, along with Woodson, whose Barnaby has little ambition other than viewing a stuffed whale, are spot on. Such over-the-top characters often wear out their welcome in such productions, but not these guys. The pair’s later hopes for a kiss before the night ends manages an off-beat warmth.

The client, and object of her affection. is Horace Vandergelder, played to grumpy perfection (despite some early audio snafus) by Rod McClendon. McClendon is well-known for his work as an actor who unleashes himself into roles that are often unflattering at best. Vandergelder is “rich, friendless and mean, which in Yonkers is as far as you can go.” McClendon as the lonely and clueless businessman desperate for a wife avoids the pitfalls, making the character at least somewhat sympathetic.

Dolly has arranged the marriage of Vandergelder and Irene Malloy, a role in which Thelma Cope shimmers with her strong on-stage charisma. Cope, who was radiant as Stella in Mill Town’s “A Streetcar Named Desire,” almost skates across the stage as the milliner who dreams of a better life. Her soaring “Ribbons Down My Back,” boasts perhaps the strongest vocal performance of the show, and her comic-play in the misdirection scene in her hat shop is a fun, old-school romp.

Lily Thomas brings a nervous energy to Irene’s assistant Minnie Fay, the flip side to the graceful coolness of her boss. Her pairing with Barnaby is a fine match, a win for Dolly, who was oblivious to her role in the couple’s future.

The Cornelius/Irene, Barnaby/Minnie relationships offer some of the top entertainment in the show’s second act, and their love pushes Vandergelder to reconsider his own choices, especially when it comes to his treatment of Dolly (who had told him: “You can snuggle up to your cash register.”)

The huge cast all finds their groove in what might be Mill Town Players finest musical to date. Fans of musical theater who get tickets for this show are in for a treat.

“Hello Dolly” runs through Aug. 13. Tickets available here.

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