Review by Lauren Van Hemert; photo by Julieta Cervantes
It only takes a moment to fall in love with the Tony Award-winning revival of Hello Dolly playing at The Shubert Theatre. Eager with anticipation, the audience applauds during the overture, before the curtain even rises. And the fact that Tony Award-winners and original cast members Bette Midler and Gavin Creel have returned to the production, along with Tony nominee David Hyde Pierce, is just icing on this glorious cake.
As the show opens, it is clear this production is a celebration of the Golden Age of musical theater, complete with a memorable score by Jerry Herman, colorful costumes and beautiful sets by Santo Loquasto, and big dance production numbers choreographed by Warren Carlyle.
Midler’s Dolly is comedic gold and the repartee and palpable connection between she and Pierce, as Horace Vandergelder, is priceless, particularly during the iconic scene at The Harmonia Gardens restaurant in Act II. Their scenes together make this production truly unforgettable, along with captivating performances by Creel (Cornelius Hackl) and Kate Baldwin (Irene Malloy), as well as Molly Griggs (Minnie Fay) and Charlie Stemp (Barnaby).
Some shows make you think, while others make you smile. This production leaves audiences grinning from ear to ear and gives solace to the fact that the classics are still alive and well on The Great White Way. Hello Dolly will launch its national tour this September starring Betty Buckley.
Hello Dolly is now playing at The Shubert Theatre, 225 W 44th St, New York, until August 25. The national tour begins September 25th in Utica, New York. Performance times vary; check the Hello Dolly website. Find more information about current plays in the Chicago area on our Current Shows page and at theatreinchicago.com.