Written by orange• March 16, 2025• 2:52 am• Cypress, Cypress College, Musical, Theater, Uncategorized

Hello, Dolly! @ Cypress College – Review

Photo credit: Ryella Zar Photography

Written by Patrick Chavis

Hello, Dolly! is playing now at Cypress College from March 14 to March 23, 2025.

Cypress College brings back the comical Broadway hit Hello, Dolly! with a direction that brings back the glamour, wonder, and mischievous fun that made this classic in the first place. Hello, Dolly, and welcome back!

Hello, Dolly! is set in 1890s Yonkers, New York, and New York City, respectively. The story follows the misadventures of two poor shop workers, Cornelius Hackl (Vincent Alatoree) and his friend and fellow co-worker with one of the best names ever, Barnaby Tucker (Joshua Yi). We need more Barnabys in this world. It’s a serious problem. They work for Horace Vandergelder (Mark Torres), one of the wealthiest men in Yonkers. Without permission from their boss, Cornelius and Barnaby go to the big city for the first time to meet girls, and, if they are lucky, to get a kiss. Wouldn’t that be delightful? With the help of his widowed matchmaker, Dolly Gallagher Levi (Hayley Johnson), Horace also makes a trip to the city to remarry, but Dolly has other plans up her sleeve.

Story:

Hello, Dolly! is a musical for lovers of musical theater. Even with its simple but funny plot line of deception, there’s something larger than life about it. A tale that makes the ordinary seem extraordinary is, I think, the magic of musicals. The story of an orphan in a bad situation is depressing, but if you put a score behind it, you’ve got Annie. Did Annie change the world? Possibly for a lot of people, maybe (Annie reference) and it certainly changed my world just a little. Hello, Dolly! is about a widowed woman doing what she can to survive in a time when it was tough for women to live without a man. This story reminds you to embrace adventure, even when you’re middle age and not to give up hope because there’s a lot more life to live. It’s a hopeful story that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and these tunes are not half bad.

Set Design:

I walk into the campus theater, look at the stage, and think, am I at the Pantages? I thought this was Cypress. Projected on the long blue curtain we’re the words Hello Dolly! On the right and left of the stage, there are artsy-looking murals of women on both sides of the stage with flowers in their hair. Below the women are more projected artwork from Projection Designer G. Austin Allen that looks like a stained glass window. There’s still more. The windows open up near the show’s beginning, and you get a behind-the-scenes look at the orchestra playing the music through the animated windows. It was beyond fabulous.

Daniel Miller’s scenic design is a parade of art and color capturing this musical’s joy and optimism. That is an exceptional design from Miller. Every scene change was a new adventure.

Costume Design:

Becky Ogden Costume Design follows suit, from Dolly’s elegant and iconic red outfit with the ornate hat to Cornelius Hackl’s scruffy but working-man outfits.

OCR 2023 Winner Best Make Up Paul Hadobas does not disappoint; everyone in this large cast looks terrific.

Minor echoing sound issues in the first act were quickly rectified. The dancing and choreography could be tighter, though quite lovely as is.

Acting:

It’s not Hello, Dolly! without Dolly. She has arrived, and her name is Hayley Johnson. Johnson is delightful in the role of Dolly. She has a voice and demeanor that make you pay attention. Her performance was pitch-perfect.

Vincent Altoree’s (Cornelius Hackl) comedic delivery and earnest acting make you want to root for him.

Sierra Durand (Irene Molloy) makes some really great choices, from her lovely performance of “Ribbons Down my Back,” to the funnier moments in tunes like “Elegance.”

When you’re a good actor, there are no minor roles. A great example is Marty Florence (Minnie Fay), who brings this minor role to life.

An ensemble with complete and balanced sound. Highly recommended!