Hello Dolly

Hello Dolly! is a rousing revival at The Welk Theater.

Thornton Wilder's fanciful farce takes place in Yonkers around 1880. The widow Dolly Gallagher Levi has cultivated her ability to "arrange things." It is how she earns her living. Primarily a matchmaker, someone who introduces like-minded people with matrimony on their minds, Dolly is also a dance instructor and once even a counselor before the bench.

Tired of fending for herself, Dolly believes it is time for her to re-marry. Not wanting to offend the memory of her deceased husband, she asks Ephraim to give her a sign – that way she will know he approves.

The plot thickens when Mrs. Levi foils the intended proposal of her richest client, the Mr. Horace Vandergelder. As the widower of her deceased friend, and a self-proclaimed-half-millionaire, Vandergelder has just enough money for Dolly to spread around, well, like fertilizer to help little things grow. If only, Ephraim would give her the go ahead.

Cynthia Ferrer's Dolly, makes one forget this was Carol Channing's signature role. Ms. Ferrer has a velvety soprano voice that washes over the footlights. She glides, flits, finagles, and wiggles charmingly into Horace's heart. And equally amazing, Ferrer can put two fingers to her lips and blow a remarkable shrilling whistle – on tempo!

Randy Doney plays Vandergelder. As the proprietor of the hay and feed store in Yonkers he is a perfect curmudgeon. Doney portrays the tight-fisted, cantankerous, chauvinistic Vandergelder with command as he leads a rowdy male ensemble in It Takes a Woman.

Meanwhile, Vandergelder's 17-year-old, soon-to-be-old-maid niece, Ermengarde is hoping to marry the love of her life, artist Ambrose Kemper. Enlisting help from Dolly, the two sneak away to New York City to The Harmonia Gardens Restaurant to win the Polka contest and the solid gold loving cup. As Ermengarde, Jeni Baker can cry on cue and burst into song while dancing. Yee gads. She is delightful.

Fisher Kaake plays Ambrose Kemper, who will do anything to marry Ermengarde even if it means taking his first dance lesson from Mrs. Levi. Kaake demonstrates abundant adoration with just the right nuance.

Playing Cornelius Hackl, the overworked and underpaid head clerk of Vandergelder's hay and feed store, Scott Arnold is a one man show. He can act, sing and dance – brilliantly. His performing arts degree was money well spent. Arnold belongs on Broadway alongside Andrew J. Koslow as "holy caboose" Barnaby Tucker. With their combined fortune of $1.35 they aren't returning to Yonkers until they've had an adventure and been kissed by a woman!

Arriving in New York City, Cornelius and Barnaby spot Mr. Vandergelder sitting on a nearby bench. Panicking and needing a place to hide (they closed the store and took a day off without permission) the pair stumbles into Irene Molloy's hat shop. And as luck would have it, it is the very place Vandergelder is heading! Horace was planning to propose to Mrs. Molloy.

Charlene Koepf as Irene Molloy graces us with her rich melodic voice. Koepf's sweet performance embraces her feature song, Ribbons Down My Back, with melancholy yet a hopeful demeanor.

Mrs. Molloy's assistant is Minnie Fay. Spunky and flirtatious, Bailey Sonner plays her to perfection.

The second act opens in the midst of the 14th Street Parade. Although Dolly is still waiting for her sign she doesn't want to quit Before the Parade Passes By.

Earlier, Mrs. Levi arranged for all of the couples to meet at The Harmonia Gardens Restaurant before Horace arrives. He is to join Ernestina for dinner. She is his second prospective bride. Catie Marron as Ernestina is outrageous. She is gaudy, plucky, and captivating.

Just as Dolly's carriage rolls to a stop out front of The Harmonia Gardens Restaurant, head waiter Rudolph announces her arrival to his high-flying staff. In preparation for her grand entrance, the waiter's gallop explodes. Waiters spring into ready eliciting spontaneous applause. Led by Randolph, John Wescott, the staff erupts featuring Derrick Jaques and A.J. Maynes with Jacob Narcy, Gabriel Navarro, and Jan Colby keeping pace.

Dolly's show-stopping entrance is all it should be, pulling the audience into the production.

This talented ensemble includes two more accomplished performers, Tara Shoemaker and Stephanie Wolfe. Both have appeared at The Welk and are glad to be back.

Producer Josh Carr has done it again. He has put together a cast and crew of professionals. The costume design by Janet Pitcher is pure eye candy. Along with selections from the Theater Company, the many colorful choices are well tailored and appropriate.

Crystal Burden managed properties seamlessly with sound design by Jennifer Edwards and the lighting design by Patrick Hoyny. The technical director is Chris Wuebben and sound engineer is Ryan Hoyny. Don Ertel did the set design with scenic build support from Chris Wuebben and Greg Ertel.

And where would any production be without the band? Musical director Justin Gray conducted, played piano and had the foresight to select Mike Masessa for drums, Elizabeth Meeker on trumpet and Mathew Best on the reeds. There was a bold sound coming from the pit.

Lastly, Ray Limon, director/choreographer is to be saluted for the many fine choices made in casting Hello Dolly! Every detail of the production was spot on.

The show only runs until Nov. 15; it will surely sell out quickly. Call the Welk Resort Theatre at (888) 802-SHOW or get your tickets online at www.welkresorts.com.