TRUMBULL NEW THEATRE REVIEW 'Dolly' delights visually, musically

Connie Cassidy is sparkling in the title role.
By L. CROW
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
"Hello, Dolly!" opened this weekend at Trumbull New Theatre, and what a grand production this is. The large cast of 31 filled the small stage with music, dancing and lots of laughter.
Sound production made this show a step above the rest. Often, smaller theaters over-mike their musicians to the point of distortion. The instruments are too loud and overpower the singers, or the singers can't hear them properly and sing out of tune. In this production, the music was flawless. Nothing was amplified; the small group of instruments played beautifully, and the singers sang clearly and in tune.
Impressive performances
The performance was professional and impressive. Connie Cassidy sparkled as the aggressive and domineering Dolly Levi, who knew what she wanted and was determined to get it.
Leading man Tim McGinley played the stuffy and crabby Horace Vandergelder. Renee Johntony delightfully portrayed her character, Irene Molloy, the playful and flirty milliner. Johntony also created the choreography.
Director Tim Cassidy also took the role of Cornelius, who by far brought the most belly laughs to this show. He magnificently played this dorky, clumsy 33-year-old chief clerk in Vandergelder's feed store who had never kissed a girl but won the heart of Irene.
He and his sidekick, Barnaby, 17 (Steven Panko), constantly found themselves in trouble. The dance lesson scene in the hat shop, where Dolly tries to develop poise and elegance in these two awkward men, is absolutely hilarious.
Fantastic chorus numbers
There were a number of impressive big chorus numbers. "Put on Your Sunday Clothes" was most enjoyable, as the entire cast, dressed in beautiful turn-of the century garb, complete with gorgeous hats and twirling parasols for the ladies, paraded either onstage or down the aisles to the front of the stage.
Costumers Diane Butler and Peg McGinnis are to be commended.
This production is a visual delight. Dolly's dresses were exquisite, especially the red gown and hat with big red feathers she wore as she strode down the steps into Harmonia Gardens Restaurant during the song-and-dance number, "Hello, Dolly!"
Another creative and visual delight of this production was the set. Though the stage was simple, the many props that were quickly whisked around enabled the actors to go from one place to another in a flash. The inside of the hat shop was especially nice.
Though the fun and entertainment of this musical is simply enjoying the great music, the comic antics and theatrical effects, there is an underlying plot. Dolly is a matchmaker, someone who meddles, and throughout the show, she hooks up one couple after another.
Even though this musical dates from a while back, it still has not lost its charm. This production is well worth seeing and is fun for the entire family.