HB Playhouse opens “Hello, Dolly” next weekend

Tom Titus

The Huntington Beach Playhouse may be striving to cut expenses at its

current producing location in the Central Library Theater, but that’s

not stopping the group from putting on one of the most expensive

musicals next weekend.

“Hello, Dolly” -- the Michael-Stewart-Jerry Herman musical comedy

adaptation of Thornton Wilder’s “The Matchmaker” that made a legend

of Carol Channing some 40 years ago -- will strut its stuff on the

Huntington Beach stage under the direction of James Gruessing and the

musical direction of Daniel Thomas.

“This was the number one patrons’ choice for a musical, and we are

delighted to be putting it on,” Gruessing declares, acknowledging

that the show is known as one of the most costly to stage, given its

elaborate turn-of-the-century (the one before this one) fashions.

Gruessing has recruited most of the creative team behind his 2004

benefit production of “The World War II Radio Revue.” These include

choreographer Kami Seymour, associate director Michael Betts and

producers Catherine Stip and Ray Stirling.

The central role of Dolly Levi, the Yonkers matchmaker who makes a

match for herself, will be taken by Selma Pinkard, who won the

playhouse’s Bobbi Award as best actress for her portrayal of Clemma

in Neil Simon’s “Proposals” last year.

The object of her attention, curmudgeonly merchant Horace

Vandergelder, will be played by Mike Nozzi, making his debut at the

Huntington Beach Playhouse. Musical director Thomas will double in

the role of Cornelius Hackl, which trivia buffs may remember was

taken on Broadway by a young Michael Crawford back in the 1960s.

Completing the principals in the “Dolly” cast are Dennis Consalvi

as Barnaby Tucker, Anne Fraser-Thomas as Irene Molloy, Michelle

Pierce as Minnie Fay, Skye Bronfenbrenner as Ermengarde, Will Wolski

as Ambrose Kemper and Amy Glinskas in the showy cameo as Ernestina

Money.

Chorus roles have been assigned to Joanne Syiek, Mary Wilson,

Alexis Kassel, Jonathan Dean, Don Olayvar, Christi Muncey, Cassandra

Gould, Heidi Hummel-Grant, Daniel Smith and Kiersten Stuessy.

“We are going to have a wonderful show,” director Gruessing

promises. “We have a high caliber of talent along with beautiful

costumes, sets and, of course, Jerry Herman’s timeless music.

“‘Hello, Dolly’ is recommended for all ages,” he added. “It is one

show the public will not want to miss.”

Opening night is July 29, with performances scheduled Thursdays

and Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3 and 8 and Sundays at 2 and 7

p.m. until Aug. 14 in the Library Theater, 7111 Talbert Ave., Huntington Beach. Further information and reservations may be

accessed at (714) 375-0696.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Independent.