The Show's the Star at 5th Avenue's 'DOLLY'

The 5^th Avenue Theatre's production of "Hello, Dolly", while holding onto the charm of the show, at times felt like it was marching through Jello.  Starring the always wonderful Jenifer Lewis, the show was, on the whole, enjoyable, but really seemed like it could have used another week of rehearsals.

For those that don't know the story, (and really, what rock have you been under if you don't?) this is the classic Jerry Herman musical about Dolly Levi who glides through life meddling in other people's affairs while trying to set up one of her own.  In the title role, film and TV star Jenifer Lewis certainly demonstrates that she has the pipes to sing these wonderful songs with the best of them, but seemed a little more than tentative with some of the dialogue.  Losing her focus and even some of the lines throughout, her rendition of Dolly needed more of the confidence that enables the character to lead every other character in this show along her parade route.  But since Lewis was so unsure of some of the lines in the show, it left the audience wondering why anyone was following, with one notable exception.  When Lewis launched into her monologue to her deceased husband asking for a sign that she can move on and then into the powerhouse, "Before the Parade Passes By", she showed exactly how sweet and vulnerable the character can be.  But what she lacked in commitment to the character, she more than made up for in attitude.

Along this roller coaster of a journey is Horace Vandergelder, played by local TV and Radio personality Pat Cashman.  This performance above all the others really left me wanting.  Cashman's portrayal of the stodgy Vandergelder seemed always to be reaching for the next one liner and his emotional range had only two speeds, stiff and screaming.  I'm not sure why the 5^th Avenue felt this bit of stunt casting was needed, especially with Jenifer Lewis in the lead but I could have really done without it.

The standouts in the show were, really, the rest of the supporting players and ensemble.  They were focused, sharp, right on every queue and really kept the spirit of the show alive.  Anytime we were in a big production number with the whole cast (and in this show there are plenty) the energy in the house was electric.  And particular kudos go to Seattle favorites Greg McCormick Allen as the over eager and life starved Cornelius and Richard Gray in a scene stealing turn as the flamboyant and commanding head of the Harmonia Gardens Restaurant, Rudolph.  In fact, Grey was only in the one scene as Rudolph, but I found myself having to restrain my laughs so I could hear what he would do next.  A really wonderful character actor, he was a joy to watch.

Along with those superb performances I must recognize the ensemble dancers, especially the men playing the waiters at the restaurant.  That scene is designed to steal the show and this production does not fail in that regard.  So much so that once they finished the dance sequence, they had to hold in their final positions for a good couple of minutes while the audience cheered and whistled.  Even as good as the following "Hello, Dolly" number was, it still didn't compare to the response received from the previous dance number.  Director and Choreographer David Armstrong, hit one out of the park on that number.  I only wish all of his choices I saw were that strong.  For some reason, he kept insisting the actors break the fourth wall and make speeches to the audience.  There's no need for this and just breaks us out of this wonderful world they have created and back to our own.

You may think from my previous statements that I didn't like the show.  On the contrary, "Hello, Dolly" is one of the gems of musical theater that is practically bulletproof.  And the players' sublime voices and stunning footwork kept the show moving right along, despite some drawbacks of the leads.  So if you want a fun evening of theater with a comfortable old masterpiece, you can't ask for more than the 5^th Avenue's "Hello, Dolly".  Well you could ask for more from the leads.  But you'll still have a wonderful evening with the ensemble.  And who knows, if you catch the show near the end of the run, they might have worked out those kinks.

"Hello, Dolly" runs at The 5^th Avenue Theatre through March 29^th.  For tickets or information contact the box office at 206-625-1900 or toll free at 888-5TH-4TIX or go online at www.5thavenue.org.

 

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