Review: HELLO, DOLLY! Delights at the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse

There are a few shows that one can say the title of, and even a random person off the street who knows nothing about theatre would say "I have heard of that." Hello, Dolly! is one of those shows.

In 1964, Hello, Dolly!, with lyrics and music by Jerry Herman and a book by Michael Stewart, broke records by running 2,844 performances on Broadway and winning 10 Tony Awards. Based on Thornton Wilder's The Matchmaker, it follows the antics of a widowed matchmaker, Dolly Gallagher Levi (Beth Beyer) in turn-of-the-century New York. She's secretly trying to convince wealthy shopkeeper Horace Vandergelder of Yonkers, NY (Kent Sugg) to marry her, while deftly eliminating the competition. Meanwhile, Vandergelder's young employees Cornelius Hackl (Barret Harper) and Barnaby Tucker (Isaac J. Sprague) sneak off to New York in search of an adventure and find far more than they expected.

Candlelight Dinner Playhouse's Hello, Dolly! is lead fearlessly by director Pat Payne. The spectacle of the production dazzles at every turn, from the intricate, billowing costumes designed by Debra Faber to the exquisite millinery provided by Sharon Sheets. One of the highlights was Bob Hoppe's simple, yet entertaining choreography, in moments like "It Takes a Woman" and the cat and mouse game within "Motherhood March."

The supporting cast was extremely strong. Melissa Morris as Minnie Fay was a pleasure to watch as she brought another level of comedy to the show. However, it was Harper and Sprague who stole the show with their witty and loveably, charismatic partnership. By far one of the best moments in the show was Barret Harper's rendition of a Jerry Herman classic, "It Only Takes a Moment." Along with Harper, Isaac J. Sprague's performance as Barnaby Tucker brought a lightness and joy to a very simple minded character.

Anyone who plays Dolly Gallagher Levi has some big shoes to fill, following behind the likes of Carol Channing and Barbara Streisand, and those shoes seemed just a little too big for Beyer. While her voice is divine and her comic timing strong, the role demands someone who can lead with gusto and drive the story forward. Unfortunately, that was where Beyer seemed to lack, especially in the second half.

That being said, if you are looking for an evening of jovial entertainment, you do not want to miss the Candlelight's production of Hello, Dolly!

Hello, Dolly! performs at the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse through March 6th. Tickets are available at Coloradocandlelight.com or by calling the Box Office at 970-744-3747.

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