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With its sweeping, big-band musical score, its enthusiastic, larger-than-life ensemble and the actors' passionate and thoroughly entertaining performances, the RFCT's production of Hello, Dolly! is by far the best way to spend $15 in Riverhead this weekend.
Set in the early 20th century, the Broadway hit tells the story of Dolly Levi, played by Marion Stark, who sells services that range from matchmaking to dancing and etiquette lessons. She secretly makes a plan to wed the wealthy Horace Vandergelder, played by Phil Centonze, who is a clueless businessman looking for a wife to take care of his household. But the troublesome antics of Vandergelder's two lovable store clerks complicate things when they create a diversion to close the store for a day, unbeknownst to Vandergelder, to try to get a night on the town.
But the story, which has entertained audiences for decades, pales in comparison to the outstanding performances of the cast. The ensemble is booming and energetic, and the chorus members roused applause from the audience sometimes right in the middle of songs with their swelling, magnificent choruses.
The main characters also gave brilliant performances, despite some technical difficulties with the sound system. Stark and Centonze were fantastic and entertaining as Dolly and Horace, and Nelson Donald, who played Cornelius Hackl, one of the store clerks, lended his beautiful tenor voice to his delightful interpretation of the character.
This weekend marks the closing weekend for the show. Catch it at Riverhead High School tonight and tomorrow at 8 p.m. Tickets: $12 in advance (Call 725-2009 or email Kathy at khorn214@gmail.com) $15 at the door. Students 17 and under $5 at the door.
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Emil Breitenbach
