(Steinmetz Hall, Dr. Phillips PAC; Orlando FL) This review is based on the cast's final dress rehearsal of the 2-day production of 'Hello, Dolly!' at Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center. Despite this having been a dress rehearsal, the cast put on a delightful performance packed with wonderful vocal performances paired with lively choreography and pleasantly-humored acting in all the right places.
First off, let us begin with Jodi Benson, the voice of Disney's 'Ariel' from the original 1989 animated film 'The Little Mermaid', having been secured as the lead role, 'Dolly Gallagher Levi'. With that, let us now dismiss that fun fact, because there was nothing 'Ariel' about this Tony-award nominee’s (1992, Best Actress in a Musical, ‘Crazy For You) performance last night. From the time the curtains went up and the spotlights tracked her on stage, Ms. Benson was flawless, multi-dimensional, and displayed a sophisticated control over her vocal performance that would have been challenging for any featured lead currently on Broadway... and not only did she hold her own in this regard, but she soared. 'Hello, Dolly's' namesake character lead may have depicted a very simple character's personality, but within that character lied the space for a very high degree of creative latitude through which an actress could showcase many dimensions of her acting capacity. At times, Ms. Benson played a very carefree character, who was seemingly oblivious to those around her on the stage... but this, in our opinion, only showed Ms. Benson's immense depth of acting ability as she was able to draw the audience into that abyss of pleasant confusion and you could easily overlook her acting brilliance. She was able to toggle effortlessly between the happy-go-lucky attitude of her character, to then just seconds later look up toward the heavens, immediately fill her soulfully-telling eyes with real tears, pain, and sadness. She was a powerful force on that stage, and completely embodied the spirit of the character as she executed her delivery in genius fashion.
Her acting sincerely caught me off guard! Who knew that she was such the comedian? Further, this wasn't comedy that was just skillfully written into some witty lines into the script; rather, the hilarity stemmed from her delivery. She had playful pauses which drew laughter from the audience, as well as her hyper-emotive facial expressions which actually made you feel the emotions of the character as the show progressed. I was wildly surprised. Again, although this was Disney movie royalty on stage, we weren't watching 'the voice of' anyone on stage -- we were witnessing some phenomenal breadth, as well as depth of character, and she was controlling it all in seemingly effortless composure!
Onto her singing. I was expecting to hear some familiar reminders of 'Part of Your World' as I watched this show. However, that was far from what was heard. She had significant power, on-command vibrato, tenderness at times, even... she literally put on a vocal clinic on that stage. She was wildly attuned to the instrument within her voice, and was able to jump right into her singing as she slyly inserted a sung-phrase here and there, without overdoing it.
Ms. Benson was surrounded by a solid cast that was able to mirror her energy and support and mirror her character. Christopher Schmidt (portrayed the character of Horace Vandergelder) gave off this cool Harrison Ford vibe on stage -- the older half-millionaire well-respected gentleman with whom you didn't want to mess around... but when he had his solo singing moment toward the end? Gasp, I do believe most everyone in the audience's hearts melted with the loving and affectionate tone that was detected in his tender delivery.
I thoroughly enjoyed the comedic relief found within actors Solmarie Cruz Martinez (played the part of Minnie Fay), Oakley Thacker (played the part of Barnaby Tucker), Adam Paul (played the part of Cornelius Hackl), and Gerald Kitt (played the brief but very memorable role of 'The Judge'). They were efficient and effective with their stage time, were very likeable, and genuinely funny. Well done here!!
Then there was Natalie Hightower (portrayed Irene Molloy). For starters, she was stunning. She had this very regal sophistication on stage, and was as emotive as one could be while remaining so proper. Beyond this? In the first few moments of her being on stage, she delivered this hauntingly eerie, but very seductive rendition of 'Ribbons Down My Back' that literally took my breath away. For a moment, I remembered to listen to the audience for their reaction, and everyone sat silent and mesmerized as she owned that stage. She was beautiful and hypnotic to watch!
This was such a wonderful performance that I am actually slightly disappointed that it will only have 3 showings between today and tomorrow. If you have ANY interest in seeing a Disney legend on stage, see some amazing costumes, hear some amazing voices (by the way, Beth Ann Stripling: we heard you up there! WOW!!), or actually want to take in a very enjoyable show altogether: you will definitely want to catch one of the 3 very limited showings this weekend. I'll remember this one for a long time. To the entire cast: very well done to all of you!!
--Bailey Guinigundo
First off, let us begin with Jodi Benson, the voice of Disney's 'Ariel' from the original 1989 animated film 'The Little Mermaid', having been secured as the lead role, 'Dolly Gallagher Levi'. With that, let us now dismiss that fun fact, because there was nothing 'Ariel' about this Tony-award nominee’s (1992, Best Actress in a Musical, ‘Crazy For You) performance last night. From the time the curtains went up and the spotlights tracked her on stage, Ms. Benson was flawless, multi-dimensional, and displayed a sophisticated control over her vocal performance that would have been challenging for any featured lead currently on Broadway... and not only did she hold her own in this regard, but she soared. 'Hello, Dolly's' namesake character lead may have depicted a very simple character's personality, but within that character lied the space for a very high degree of creative latitude through which an actress could showcase many dimensions of her acting capacity. At times, Ms. Benson played a very carefree character, who was seemingly oblivious to those around her on the stage... but this, in our opinion, only showed Ms. Benson's immense depth of acting ability as she was able to draw the audience into that abyss of pleasant confusion and you could easily overlook her acting brilliance. She was able to toggle effortlessly between the happy-go-lucky attitude of her character, to then just seconds later look up toward the heavens, immediately fill her soulfully-telling eyes with real tears, pain, and sadness. She was a powerful force on that stage, and completely embodied the spirit of the character as she executed her delivery in genius fashion.
Her acting sincerely caught me off guard! Who knew that she was such the comedian? Further, this wasn't comedy that was just skillfully written into some witty lines into the script; rather, the hilarity stemmed from her delivery. She had playful pauses which drew laughter from the audience, as well as her hyper-emotive facial expressions which actually made you feel the emotions of the character as the show progressed. I was wildly surprised. Again, although this was Disney movie royalty on stage, we weren't watching 'the voice of' anyone on stage -- we were witnessing some phenomenal breadth, as well as depth of character, and she was controlling it all in seemingly effortless composure!
Onto her singing. I was expecting to hear some familiar reminders of 'Part of Your World' as I watched this show. However, that was far from what was heard. She had significant power, on-command vibrato, tenderness at times, even... she literally put on a vocal clinic on that stage. She was wildly attuned to the instrument within her voice, and was able to jump right into her singing as she slyly inserted a sung-phrase here and there, without overdoing it.
Ms. Benson was surrounded by a solid cast that was able to mirror her energy and support and mirror her character. Christopher Schmidt (portrayed the character of Horace Vandergelder) gave off this cool Harrison Ford vibe on stage -- the older half-millionaire well-respected gentleman with whom you didn't want to mess around... but when he had his solo singing moment toward the end? Gasp, I do believe most everyone in the audience's hearts melted with the loving and affectionate tone that was detected in his tender delivery.
I thoroughly enjoyed the comedic relief found within actors Solmarie Cruz Martinez (played the part of Minnie Fay), Oakley Thacker (played the part of Barnaby Tucker), Adam Paul (played the part of Cornelius Hackl), and Gerald Kitt (played the brief but very memorable role of 'The Judge'). They were efficient and effective with their stage time, were very likeable, and genuinely funny. Well done here!!
Then there was Natalie Hightower (portrayed Irene Molloy). For starters, she was stunning. She had this very regal sophistication on stage, and was as emotive as one could be while remaining so proper. Beyond this? In the first few moments of her being on stage, she delivered this hauntingly eerie, but very seductive rendition of 'Ribbons Down My Back' that literally took my breath away. For a moment, I remembered to listen to the audience for their reaction, and everyone sat silent and mesmerized as she owned that stage. She was beautiful and hypnotic to watch!
This was such a wonderful performance that I am actually slightly disappointed that it will only have 3 showings between today and tomorrow. If you have ANY interest in seeing a Disney legend on stage, see some amazing costumes, hear some amazing voices (by the way, Beth Ann Stripling: we heard you up there! WOW!!), or actually want to take in a very enjoyable show altogether: you will definitely want to catch one of the 3 very limited showings this weekend. I'll remember this one for a long time. To the entire cast: very well done to all of you!!
--Bailey Guinigundo
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