The 2017 season for The Production Company has officially opened with Broadway classic ‘Hello Dolly’ their first production of the year.
A new Australian production of ‘Hello Dolly’ is great timing given that the US show starring Bette Midler is currently the biggest thing on Broadway.
Australian theatre legend Marina Prior stars as Dolly Levi in this version now playing at The Playhouse at Melbourne’s Arts Centre. Marina’s real-life husband Grant Piro plays opposite her as half-millionaire Horace Vandergelder.
This show also features Verity Hunt-Ballard (Mary Poppins) as Irene Molloy, Glenn Hill (Showboat) as Cornelius Hackl, Baylie Carson (Dusty) Ermengarde, Higel Huckle as Barnaby Tucker, Imogen Moore as Minnie Fay and Jack Van Staveren as Ambrose Kemper.
‘Hello Dolly’ is a good, fun show. It has its funny lines and great songs creating a great show for all the family.
‘Hello Dolly’ has been bought back to the stage by The Production Company for this, the 19th season. Like all shows from The Production Company tickets prices are kept to a minimum to allow all ages to experience a piece of Broadway in Melbourne. The shows make a great introduction to the theatre for kids.
The Production Company is meticulous about its cast, their costumes and the music. Isaac Lummis designed the costumes. His attention to detail perfectly sets up the era. Isaac also designed costumes for ‘Georgy Girl – The Seekers Musical’.
What I like about a Production Company show is the company’s recognition of its musicians, placing them all on stage instead of down in a pit. Opera Australia’s Vanessa Scammell returns to lead the 14-piece orchestra from centre stage while the show goes on around them. Vanessa previously worked with The Production Company on ‘The Producers’ and ‘Damn Yankees’.
While the Production Company shows have stars, the true stars of every production are the entire staff working on each event. Everyone contributes something at the shows. They are never just about one person.
Hello Dolly is on at The Playhouse, in the Arts Centre Melbourne until 11 June.
