Review: Media Theater's HELLO DOLLY!

Hello Andrea! It's nice to have you back where you belong! Broadway veteran and Philly favorite Andrea McArdle stars as the sassy, brassy, Dolly Levi meddling and matchmaking her way through Yonkers and New York City via the Media Theater's lavish, entertaining production.

The mulit-talented Dann Dunn directs and choreographs this record breaking show in grand style. His choreography simply sparkles from the high energy dance numbers to the mad cap chase scenes. HELLO, DOLLY! is a musical with lyrics and music by Jerry Herman and a book by Michael Stewart, based on Thornton Wilder's 1938 farce The Merchant of Yonkers, which Wilder revised and retitled The Matchmaker in 1955. Hello, Dolly! was first produced on Broadway by David Merrick in 1964, winning a record 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, a record held for 35 years.

Andrea McArdle plays Dolly Levi, the meddlesome socialite who sights are set on marrying Horace Vandergelder (Kelly Briggs), a grumpy millionaire from Yonkers. All the while Mrs. Levi occupies herself by playing matchmaker for Vandergelder's niece (Anne Connors), his clerks, Cornelius and Barnaby, ( Patrick Ludt & Cameron Scott Slusser) and two shop girls, Irene Molloy and Minnie Fay (Elisa Matthews & Madalyn St. John).

Jerry Herman's songs soar with this capable mostly Equity Cast. McArdle's powerhouse voice commands "Before The Parade Passes By". The beautiful "Ribbon Down My Back" is splendidly delivered by Elisa Matthews who also dazzled as Fantine in Media's Les Miserables.

Company numbers "It Takes A Woman", "Put On Your Sunday Clothes" and of course the title song "Hello, Dolly" are rousing reminders of why this record winning show is so dearly loved by many. Dunn's dance numbers dazzle thanks in part to the dapper Cameron Scott Slusser athletic moves pared with the pizzazz of Patrick Ludt making these clerks the center of much finely placed comedy and enthusiasm. The entire company truly steps out in fine form!

McArdle was previously seen at The Media and Bucks County Playhouse in their co-production of 'Mame', for which she won Best Actress in A Musical from Broadway World Philadelphia in 2013. There's little doubt that she may be nominated once again as she embraces this roll with passion and as if it were made for her.

The climatic scene of any production of HELLO, DOLLY! is the return appearance of Dolly atop the steps of the Harmonia Gardens Restaurant as McArdle appears in her flaming red dress amid the adoration of the welcoming waiters, who in themselves put on one heck of a show! Katie Yamaguchi's costumes sparkle in a pageant of women strolling in pastels with lace parasols and gentlemen men kicking up their heels in checker boards and pinstripes. Matthew Miller's sets of framed arches, soft lighting and simple backdrops allow the focus on the singing, dancing and music. Speaking of music Christopher Ertelt nine-piece orchestra has no problem keeping pace with Jerry Herman's score.

HELLO DOLLY! plays at the Media Theater, Media Pa through May 24.
For tickets, call 610-891-0100 or visit mediatheatre.org.

Photo # 1 Horace Vandergelder (Kelly Briggs) and comapny

Photo # 2 Barnabas & Minnie (Cameron Scott Slusser& Madalyn St. John)

Photo # 3 Dolly Levi ( Andrea McArdle)

Photo Credits: Media Theater

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