Despite a great score and funny script, “Hello, Dolly!” is almost never staged anymore by San Diego theaters.
That may be because its 1900-era story about a New York matchmaker finding her own mate may be perceived as dated in 21st century America (I think it holds up fine). But another is the 1964 Broadway musical’s production requirements of a large cast and costume budget, an orchestra and numerous big dance scenes.
So it’s a pleasure to see the Michael Stewart-Jerry Herman musical brought to entertaining life again by Escondido’s Patio Playhouse Community Theatre at the Kit Carson Park amphitheater. The production features 33 actors and a 13-piece orchestra with a horn section.
Produced by Michael C. Flores and directed by Patio’s artistic manager Geoffrey A. Cox, it’s a lavish opener for Patio Playhouse’s 58th season. After COVID restrictions were lifted in 2021, Patio struggled financially and its annual outdoor shows are costly to produce. So hopefully a large audience will turn out for the show.
“Hello, Dolly!” is the story of Dolly Levi, an enterprising New York widow who counts matchmaking among her many marketable skills. She’s been hired to find a second wife for the cantankerous widower Horace Vandergelder, who owns a mercantile shop in Yonkers, but Dolly realizes she is the perfect match for Horace. Meanwhile, Horace’s two overworked employees, Cornelius and Barnaby, find their own true loves, Irene and Minnie Fay, respectively.
Like most community productions, the cast is a mix of veteran performers and actors with minimal experience. It’s a credit to director Cox and talented choreographers Candace Carbajal and Talitha Frame that they have create such a cohesive ensemble, particularly in the ambitiously designed full-cast song and dance scenes.
Lori Tinkle and Brian P. Evans are well cast as Dolly and Horace. She’s a strong vocalist with the fast-talking, hyper-confidence the role requires, and Evans is realistically gruff and has good comic timing as Horace. And Katie O’Leary, as hat shop owner Irene, is an endearing actor and very good singer.
But the cast’s true find is 19-year-old Andy Ben Reynolds as Cornelius. He’s got charisma, song and dance skills and a loose-limbed comedic physicality that works well onstage. Rounding out the principal cast are Caleb Wohlgemuth as Barnaby and Ashley Lynn Perez as Minnie Fay.
Although director Cox’s scenery is minimal, the turn-of-the-century costumes by Alisha Kassel Jurgenson do a great job setting the time and place and bringing color to the stage.
“Hello, Dolly!” is a big, family-friendly show and it deserves a big audience.
“Hello, Dolly!”
When: 8 p.m. Aug. 2, 3, 8, 9 and 10
Where: Patio Playhouse at Kit Carson Park amphitheater, 100 Amphitheatre Drive, Escondido
Tickets: $18-$25
Phone: (760) 746-6669
Online: patioplayhouse.com/hello-dolly
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