Hello, Dolly! The Matchmaker Returns

The last time Dolly came to Philly was in 1995, when Carol Channing was 74 years old. Now, nine years later, Mrs. Dolly Gallagher Levi is handing out her cards at the Walnut Street Theater once again.

Opening on Broadway in 1964, Hello, Dolly! was the winner of ten Tony Awards and went on to play more than 2800 performances. The original leading lady was the great Carol Channing. The show launched numerous national and international tours (plus a film with Barbra Streisand) which featured Pearl Bailey, among others, as the famous lady who graces the stairs of the Harmonia Gardens Restaurant.

After 40 years, I can happily report that the story is still as refreshing and delightful as ever. The Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia closes it season in grand style with an array of colorful costumes and show stopping musical numbers which include "Before the Parade Passes By," and the song that once knocked the Beatles off the top of the charts, "Hello, Dolly!"

Set in 1880, Yonkers, New York, Dolly Gallagher Levi, a widow, poses as a matchmaker on the premise of arranging a marriage between the "half-a-millionaire," Horace Vandergelder, and an heiress he is to meet in New York City. With every intention of marrying Horace herself, Dolly arranges for his niece, her fiancé, and his two young store clerks to go off for a New York adventure. The stuffy, confused Mr. Vandergelder goes into a tailspin when they all meet up in an outlandish fashion that results in a happy-ever-after for all involved.

Starring as Dolly is Deborah Jean Templin. Last seen playing Miss Hannigan in the

Walnut Street

's Annie, Templin brings her own style of adorable, brassy humor to the role. Without being overpowering in one of theater's most iconic roles, she wins the audience's affection nicely.

Tom Ligon play the gruff, reluctant Horace Vandergelder, who feels the best way to get a built-in housekeeper is to marry one. The comedic timing of the two store clerks, Cornelius Hackl and Barnaby Tucker (played by Christopher Sutton and Michael McGurk) is right on the money and consistent throughout the performance.

A solid ensemble offers some very sharp stepping out for "The Waiter's Gallop," and the entire company delivers the vocal numbers in a fine manner. Highlights include "It Only Takes A Moment," "Put on Your Sunday Clothes," "Elegance," and a delightful version of "Ribbons Down My Back," sung by Irene Molly (Lisa Gunn).

Book by: Michael Stewart. Music & Lyrics by: Jerry Herman. Based on The Matchmaker by Thornton Wilder. Choreographer: Bill Bateman. Directed by: Frank Anzalone.

Hello, Dolly! plays at the Walnut Street Theater from May 11^th thru July 2^nd.

For tickets and information: www.wstonline.org, or call (215) 574-3550.

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