BWW Reviews: Impressive, Tireless Cast Highlights GA Ensemble's Charming HELLO DOLLY!

"Hello Dolly...it's so nice to have you back where you belong." I have to admit, prior to seeing the ebullient production of "Hello Dolly!" at Georgia Ensemble Theatre, I generally considered the musical, by Jerry Herman (music and lyrics) and Michael Stewart (book), to be a relic of a bygone era, based on a play of an era even more bygone (Thornton Wilder's 1938 comedy "The Merchant of Yonkers," reworked as "The Matchmaker" in 1955). However, after seeing this joyful production, directed by Suzi Award winner Heidi Cline McKerley, I must concede that this heart-warmingly energetic show is in fact back where it belongs, on stage entertaining audiences young and old.

The husband-and-wife combo of director Heidi Cline McKerley and her two-time Suzi winning husband choreographer Jeff McKerley, who also plays a slightly-older than normal Cornelius (more on his performance later), defied logic by taking the normally large cast "Dolly" and making it seamlessly work with a cast of 12, that looks and sounds like a more traditional 30. While a number of the wigs that some cast members donned to play alternate characters were a little distracting (the actors' primary wigs, designed by George Deavours, were extremely impressive), the entire cast deserves credit for doing the dancing and set-moving of a cast two or three times its size. Jeff McKerely's choreography is always clever, and often inspired, and despite the hurried costume changes, and the untradional workload, the cast is magnificent with each turn.

It nearly goes without saying that Atlanta has one of the best professional theatre communities outside of New York City, however, rarely does a show, even here, possess a cast that is as enjoyable from top to bottom as this one. With so many dazzling performances, it was hard to decide where to look on stage. It would feel wrong to praise the performance of one cast member without doing so for all, so I will attempt to sum up each performance as susinctly as possible.

The cast is led by Suzi-winner and Broadway veteran Courtenay Collins as the widowed matchmaker, Dolly Gallagher Levi (Read Broadway World Atlanta's recent Q&A with Collins about "Dolly" and her career). Collins commands the stage with a powerful voice and calculating charm that leaves a unique mark on this meddlesome diva, known by the legendary performances of Carol Channing (Broadway) and Barbra Streisand (film). Daniel J. Cook plays the object of Dolly's interest, Horace Vandergelder, with a stuffy anger befitting the part. Cook also sings well, despite few opportunities to do so.

Jeff McKerley and Chris Lewis as Vandergelder's store, clerks Cornelius and Barneby, sing and dance with such an unbridled comic charm that it is no wonder that they catch the eyes of Irene Malloy (Mary Nye Bennett) and Minnie Fay (Kylie Brown). Bennett brings a maturity to the mad-capped happenings as a widowed hat-maker in search of love, while Brown is equal parts funny and adorable as her assistant. While each of the cast members sings wonderfully, Bennett does so beautifully, creating most of the show's few tender moments.

While the radiant Anna Kimmell whines more than she speaks as Vandergelder's niece Ermengarde, those whines never fail to bring laughs. She also regularly shines as a member of the ensemble. Ermengarde's beau Ambrose is played by the talented Chase Crandell who seems to never stop dancing during the second act. Marcie Millard is hilarious, as she always is, as the incredibly inappropriate (for the era) Ernestina.

The ensemble of Trey Getz, Lauren Rosenzweig, and Tucker Weinmann does yeoman's work as citizens, customers, spectators, waiters, dancers, courtroom personnel, and more. While Rosenzweig and Weinmann both are fantastic, breathlessly bouncing from role or role, Getz stands out. I have seen him now in three smaller/ensemble roles in the past 13 months, and each time he has been a delightful scene-stealer. Hopefully soon, he will have the opportunity to showcase his talents in a larger role.

While the multi-purpose set pieces' aesthetics lacked the detail of their design, by Stephanie Polhemus, seeing them come together to form countless complex scenes was impressive.

Georgia Ensemble Theatre's production of "Hello Dolly!" has a vaudevillian silliness and charm that will have you smiling and tapping your feet throughout. With a triple-threat cast of some of Atlanta's brightest stars and promising future stars, this is a no-doubt hit. The show runs two hours and twenty minutes with an intermission, and plays through April 28th. To get tickets call 770-641-1260 or visit their website.

Before the Opening Night performance, Georgia Ensemble Artistic Director Robert Farley announced the company's 2013-2014 Season.

Photo: Jeff McKerley, Mary Nye Bennett, Chris Lewis, Kylie Brown