Hello, Dolly!  makes
matchmaking fun at MC
Reviewed by Joe Blenkle/Sacramento Stage & Theatre
Irene Molloy (Christine Toy Johnson), Cornelius Hackl (Lewis Cleale), Barnaby Tucker (Jeffrey Howard Schecter) and Minnie Fay (Shauna Markey) enjoy an elegant evening out on the town in the Music Circus production of HELLO, DOLLY! (August 7-13).

    Last time Dolly Levi took the stage in Sacramento it was during 1997's Broadway Series and she looked a lot like Carol Channing. The latest production of the popular musical opened under the Music Circus tent Monday for its week long run and was every bit as entertaining on the small stage as it was on the big stage three years ago.

    Thus far this season, Music Circus seems to be leaning toward the "fun" musicals. HELLO, DOLLY! is no different. It has a good mix of everything - humor, romance, song and dance. DOLLY tells the tale of Dolly Levi (Carol Swarbrick), a widow who enjoys making everyone else's business her own. Her favorite pasttime is matchmaking and she's in the middle of setting up a marriage between Horace Vandergelder (Lenny Wolpe), a wealthy businessman, and Irene Molloy (Christine Toy Johnson) the owner of a hat shop.

    Things take a humorous turn, however, when Dolly decides she wants Horace for herself. Now she must convince him that Irene really isn't the woman for him, while trying to turn his eye toward herself.

    And, of course, what ensues is a comical game of matchmaking like you've never seen!

    While Carol Channing is perhaps best remembered in the role of Dolly Levi, Carol Swarbrick did a fantastic job in the Music Circus production of this musical. She returns to the tent from last year's 42ND STREET where she played Maggie Jones and she was absolutely fantastic in songs like "Before the Parade Passes By" (with co-star Lenny Wolpe as Horace Vandergelder), and of course, "Hello Dolly!" - the title song of the production.
 

    Wolpe has already seen action on the stage under the tent this season as Senex in A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, and is a long-time Music Circus favorite appearing in such classics as FIDDLER ON THE ROOF and MY FAIR LADY. Wolpe simply gets better and better every time he sets foot on stage and it continues to be a pleasure to see such a fine actor in Sacramento-area productions. HELLO, DOLLY! marks Wolpe's 11th production under the tent.

    HELLO, DOLLY! ends its week-long run August 13 and is a great way to spend an evening on the town. Only two more shows remain in the Music Circus season after DOLLY closes and this is truly one you won't want to miss. It's a classic! Swarbrick and Wolpe make for a good team on stage and it carries over to the rest of the cast to make for an enjoyable night of fun.

The Cast of HELLO, DOLLY!
 Mrs. Dolly Gallagher Levi - Carol Swarbrick  Ambrose Kemper - Aaron Douglas Smith  Horace Vandergelder - Lenny Wolpe
 Ermengarde - Mia Price  Cornelius Hackl - Lewis Cleale  Barnaby Tucker - Jeff Howard Schecter 
 Minnie Fay - Shauna Markey  Irene Molloy - Christine Toy Johnson  Mrs. Rose - Amy Michoski
 Ernestina - Andrea Boronell  Rudolph - Kevin Reed  Stanley - Tom Hilderbrand 
 Cook - Duane McDevitt  Chef - Paul Woodson  Policemen - Duane McDevitt/Paul Woodson 
 Judge - Dennis St. Pierre  Court Clerk - Roger Rosen    

     Tickets for HELLO, DOLLY! are priced at $27 to $45 depending on date and seat location. Tickets are on sale at the Wells Fargo Pavilion box office, 1419 H Street, or all Tickets.com outlets including The Wherehouse and select Raley's. To order tickets by phone, call (916) 557-1999 or (916) 766-2277.

     Next up at the Music Circus is AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' (Aug. 14-20).

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