'Hello, Dolly!' shows audience energy

Director William Pullinsi's "Hello, Dolly!" - appearing at Theatre at the Center - provides energetic enchantment for theater enthusiasts this fall. Set in 1890s New York, this production stars the exuberant Paula Scrofano as Mrs. Dolly Gallagher Levi, a matchmaker among other vocations, and best known as a professional meddler - who also happens to be a widow.

Dolly's current task is helping an unemployed artist, Ambrose Kemper (Jon Cunningham), marry overly emotional Ermengarde (lovely Audrey Billings), the niece of a half-millionaire proprietor in Yonkers, Horace Vandergelder (John Reeger, a natural in the role). Vandergelder, a widower, is not ready for his niece to get married, not only because he is protective of the young woman, but because he would then be left without a woman around the house.

Since he realizes her marriage is inevitable - though he has forbade Ambrose - he is seeking a new wife for himself. In "It Takes a Woman" - one of many delightfully sung and brilliantly choreographed numbers throughout the performance - Vandergelder reminds audiences what a wife was important for in the 1890s, use as a housekeeper.

Vandergelder is not only strict with his family, but also with his employees. Head clerk Cornelius (Ed Kross) and helper Barnaby (Zach Zube, who excels at mousy) never have an evening off - and thusly make plans to take advantage of Vandergelder's trip to New York City to visit and likely propose to Irene Molloy (played by the delightful Cory Goodrich), by planning a trip of their own.

Dolly has other plans for Vandergelder that does not include Irene, but provides a chance at ending her professional meddling days by matching herself to the half-millionaire. As Dolly escorts Ermengarde and Ambrose into the City, while Vandergelder heads off to see Irene, Cornelius and Barnaby are also on their adventure. Kross shows off his immense vocal talent in "Put on Your Sunday Clothes," in which the two young men declare they won't leave New York City "until we've kissed a girl." The New York adventure is sometimes funny, sometimes heartwarming and always amusing.

Even those who find the premise a bit old-fashioned and corny may pleasure in the sheer aesthetic of the play - the ensemble is remarkable with perfect vocal harmony and flawless timing in the complicated dance numbers. William A. Underwood conducts a magnificent orchestra. The minimal setting is maximized by perfect prop selections by Valerian Bajak. The costumes, provided by Costume World Theatrical and supervised by Paula Consdorf, are timely, lovely and vibrantly charming. There is also a brief but intense strobe light sequence during the performance.

"Hello, Dolly!" runs through Oct. 21. Performances are held Wednesdays at 2 p.m., Thursdays at 2 p.m., Fridays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m., along with a few additional showings. Ticket prices vary from $36 to $39, depending on the day and time, and can be purchased in person, by calling the box office at 219.836.3255 or online at theatreatthecenter.com.

Originally published in The Chronicle in September 2007.