HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-07-21, Page 22PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2005.
Theatre review
Stratford puts on quite a show with ‘Dolly!’
All aboard!
Lucy Peacock, front centre, as Dolly Gallagher Levi with Kyle Blair, front left, as Ambrose
Kemper and Dayna Tekatch, front right, as Ermengarde and members of the company appear
in Stratford Festival’s production of Hello Dolly!. (David Hou photo)
ol 1964 and ended 2,800-odd
performances later in Dccmber
1970. Hello Dolly! offered not ‘just
escapism from the turbulent 60s but
was a success because of its more
significant qualities. He described it
as a show ihai uses spectacle and
storytelling to confirm basic human
truths such as the need for
companionship and the angsi of
courtship.
The book by Michael Slewart and
music and lyrics by Jerry Herman
are indeed a winning combination
And the Stratford production
contributes to this with its fresh look
at a old favourite.
Schulman’s decision to have the
characters speak directly to the
audience opens a comiadeship. It is
that perhaps, that helped me warm to
Lucy Peacock's portrayal of Dolly
Gallagher Levi, the colourful
matchmaker. Though not
particularly impressed with her in
the first few' scenes. I was soon
pulled in by Peacock’s confident
portrayalobvious enjoyment of the
role.
The story of Hello Dolly! tells of
Levi’s plan to find a wife for
widower Horace Vandergelder. a
wealthy businessperson in Yonkers.
New York, at the turn in the century.
She has introduced him to a
widowed milliner in New York.
Irene Molloy, but decides to claim
him for herself. Though her late
husband was the love of her life, she
recognizes that the time has come to
find companionship.
Dolly also works to convince
Horace that his niece Ermengarde
and the artist Ambrose Kemper
should be together. Throw in two of
Horace’s clerks Cornelius Hackl and
Barnaby Tucker, who steal away to
New York while Horace is gone with
plans for fun and to kiss a girl, and
the fun begins. Especially after
Cornelius meets and falls in love
with Irene.
While Peacock struts, she gets
excellent support from the other
actors on stage. Peter Donaldson as
Horace does curmudgeon with
enough charm to make him likeable.
Robin Hutton is a fetching Irene and
Amy Walsh as her assitant Minnie is
a delight.
As a put-upon clerk, Laird
Mackintosh is a fine Cornelius;
unfortunately as the romantic
interest lor the warm, fun-loving
Irene, I just didn’t get it. Lawrence
Haegert is great as the somewhat shy
teenager Barnaby.
The choreography runs the gamut
from simple to ambitious with the
train and the restaurant scenes
particularly entertaining.
Clark’s designs are elaborate and
perfectly suited to the era. The
colour and myriad of materials
create the spectacle to enhance the
storytelling.
Hello Dolly! runs at Stratford’s
Festival Theatre until Nov. 6
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
When it comes to musicals
Stratford Festival is getting very
good at putting on a show.
With great design by Patrick
Clark, straightforward direction by
Susan H. Schulman and entertaining
choreography by Michael
Lichtefeld, the Festival’s production
of Hello Dolly! is a pleasant lime al
the theatre.
Interestingly the play partly owes
its existence to Tyrone Guthrie, the
founding artistic director of the
Stratford Festival who persuaded
Thornton Wilder to rework his
comedy The Merchant of Yonkers
into The Matchmaker, the source for
Z)o//y'
Carol Channing played the
inimitable Dolly in the Broadway
version when it premiered. It was
later a film version with Barbra
Streisand and Walter Matthau.
In his program notes, Robert
Harris, host of CBC Radio’s / Hear
Music, noted that during its
Broadway run which began January
‘Broadway ’ comes to Playhouse
Huron Country Playhouse
presents its third production of the
season. Give My Regards to
Broadway.
This pays tribute to the great
leading men of the Great White Way,
from such legendary performers as
Al Jolson, Jack Cassidy and David
Burns to modern-day stars like CoIm
Wilkinson, Donnie Osmond and
Michael Crawford. The show is a
tapestry of song originating from
some of the most revered and best
Oklahoma. to the catty
Gus/Growltiger in the Canadian
production of Cats, to a run as Raoul
and the Phantom himself in Andrew
Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the
Opera.
Rogers has been a featured soloist
in The Music of Andrew Lloyd
Webber and this July will be
releasing his second CD, aptly titled
Time for a Love Song. The disc
features classic Broadway and
popular love songs such as If l Loved
You. So In Love, I'll Be Seeing You,
The Impossible Dream and Music of
the Night.
Give My Regards To Broadway
opens July I9 and runs until Aug. 6.
Tickets can be ordered by calling the
Huron Country Playhouse Box
Office at 519-238-6000 or loll free
at 1-888-449-4463.
loved characters in the history of
Broadway.
* ...... ........................... .............-.....................1Training students today creates a pool of
skilled workers for tomorrow
David Rogers. the show’s
performer,
memorable
illustrious
handsome
has played countless
characters in his
career. from the
rustler Curly in Spc*>sor«t/ fry the Ontario L Cuming Partnership Group and the Provincial Partnership Gounod
Supported by The Ontano K4mislry ol iiducatton and Fho Onlano KUmslry of training. Colleges and Umvers-'ties
“Prosperity
To hnd out more about ottering high school students work experience contact the
Foundation for Enriching Education Perth Huron
at 519-527-0111 ext 231 or visit www foundationforeducation on ca
£
1 Buck & Doe E Atawiape
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Please join us
to celebrate the
40th Wedding
Anniversary
of
8
I
Saturday, July 23
Brussels Legion
9 pm - 1 am
Best Wishes Only
a u
i
1
1
1
1
i
1
1
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i
for
MARY JANE RAWLS
and
RICHARD HASKINS
Saturday, July 23
7 pm - 1 am
Brussels, Morris & Grey
Community Centre
Music by DJ
Lunch provided
Tickets: $6 each
Available at Chocolates &
Fudge, JR's or by
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
Al and Brenda Shelton
of Goderich
and
Keith and Rita Mulvey
of Brussels
are pleased to announce
the forthcoming marriage
of their children
Kimberly Jean
and
Bradley Todd
The wedding will take place
on July 23, 2005
<21 contacting Laura Haskins [S'
at 887-8779
1^1 twj WJ W l«i W W
at 4:00 p.m.
Victoria Street United
Church, Goderich
9
u fl u flH fl
fl U flH
as;
James Gordon Stiles and Marilyn Jean Steiss were united in marriage
on July 30, 1955 at the century farm of the bride's parents, the late
Alex and Ruby Steiss of Grey Township, Cranbrook, Ontario.
The groom's parents are the late William and Sarah Stiles
of Brussels, Ontario.
Gordon and Jean will be celebrating their anniversary with family
and friends at a surprise open house
from 1:30 -4:30 pm
at the Stratford Golf and Country Club,
Romeo Street, Stratford on Friday, July 29th, 2005.
Your presence is their gifts.