When one thinks about Hello, Dolly!, there’s a good chance that the word “antiquated” will come up. As a musical set in the late 19th century, it’s easy to see the old-timey values as not appealing to modern audiences. From the wardrobe to the goofy slang, it’s a version of city life that has long passed by. And yet, for those willing to stop and listen to what’s being said, suddenly the show comes to life and presents something magical and timeless. Yes, this is the type of musical that favors grand theatrics and lush costuming, but that’s not to say that it finds the new even as it comments on the past. For these characters, it’s learning how to get with the times.
At the center of the story is Dolly (Tami Tappan Damiano): an aging matchmaker who pries her nose into other people’s businesses. Whereas this could be seen as off-putting, the narrative treats it like a comedic example of kismet. She has the instinct that everyone else lacks. The only issue is that she knows what everyone else wants more than her own life. As someone with a nonexistent love life, she longs for some deeper connection that will allow her to settle down and accept the next stage of life.
Add in a mix of younger, more spry characters, and the set-up for Hello, Dolly! begins to take root. The production put on by Musical Theater West does an excellent job of mixing physical comedy with the infectious songbook by Jerry Herman. Early on, supporting dancers pop out of barrels at a local shop one minute, while others attempt to escape a hat hop the next. It’s easier said than done, as the accompanying song winks at the crowd and turns opposing actors nearly face-to-face with their demise. If judged solely as a slice of comedy, little can be done better than watching the madcap adventures of the cast keep up with the time-sensitive gags that are done almost to the measure of every song. This becomes especially true in an extended gag where waiters are forced to run around a restaurant while maintaining a sense of order among chaos.
The zippy pacing allows the story to never feel dull. Almost every scene is a set piece that refuses to get too marred down by unnecessary plot. The lean construction enhances the vaudevillian nature, of which is perfectly complemented by a romance that attempts to mix the fantasy of wealth with the absurdity of trying to maintain it. Even following the titular number, the fast-paced crescendo has a startling focus that won’t leave audiences impatient.
At the center is the incomparable Dolly. She is a wonderful protagonist who, in some ways, transcends the conventions of other characters by reflecting an earned entitlement. She gets a grand entrance at a restaurant. When asked to help others out, she gets to take her time (to uproarious laughter) before stepping center stage to accept the fate. Despite being an older lead who wants nothing more than to retire, she is recognizably spry and willing to get with the times.
Nowhere is this clearer than in the Act I closer “Before the Parade Passes By.” Despite the quips, it’s a rare moment of vulnerability that adds weight to the surrounding context. She is observing everybody experiencing happiness and wondering why she is so lonely. Even as she wears a cheery façade, she can’t help but want something relatable. She is encouraged to start again and, in the process, reflects the difference between being an unlikable elite and someone for the common man. Her willingness to engage with the waiters by first name goes a long way to showing how much this world means to her. Even as it feels like reunion, it’s one that notices the value of community.
It's easy to see why Hello, Dolly! remains one of the quintessential musicals after so long. Even if the melodies are no longer as common among newer shows, the cheerful nature and playful winking is something that has never gone out of fashion. Hello, Dolly! is a wonderful trip out to the theater, where the lush production helps people escape their problems while remembering what it is that matters in life. This show is more than comedy. It’s about examination and learning how to grow old with grace. In that sense, it’s a lesson well worth following over and over again.
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