KMPH FOX 26 | Central San Joaquin Valley News SourceDean Rhodus Reviews "Hello Dolly"

Our performing arts correspondent Dean Rhodus stopped by Thursday morning with his review of "Hello Dolly" playing at the Mercedes Edwards Theater in Clovis.

The show runs from July 28th through the 30th. For more information call (559) 323-8744 or visit www.centerstageclovis.com.

Dolly/Clytee Returns

Art has mirrored life one more time. Center Stage in Clovis is presenting the almost proverbial "Hello Dolly" this summer season at the Mercedes Edwards Theater. It is full of late 19^th Century enthusiasm and innocence. It is satisfying to look at life and love and liaisons from the perspective of a slower, gentler and far simpler perspective; a time when it might be risqué for a man to be in a woman's hat shop AND be single. Or when heart pounding adventure is to get a kiss from a pretty girl….only! Or when two young men can even consider an evening of Manhattan mayhem on exactly ninety cents; as in c-e-n-t-s.  It is great writing that the plot actually twists and turns on such trifles. Wonderful.

That Dolly returns to a famous and very expensive mid-town Manhattan restaurant after way too long an absence, and is the exact breath of fresh air and expertise to bring some just-in-the-nick-of-time solutions, is exactly what Clytee Ramsey has done for Center Stage Productions and the Clovis community's offering of "Hello Dolly" Yea! Just like Dolly, Clytee comes out of retirement, in the last two weeks before opening (famous musicals are based on this very theme) and sweeps in with skill and poise and confidence to put everything right. Life mirrors art. Welcome back Clytee. It's so nice to see you back where you belong.

She is ably assisted by the ensemble of singing and dancing of talented community players.  Greg Grannis's choreography was splendid and his directing was incisive. Judith Dickison, vocal coach, gave us beautiful tone and precise harmony and diction. The ensemble number of "Put on Your Sunday Clothes" and "We got Elegance" were transporting because of both their efforts, and the hard work of the entire cast.

Special note must be made concerning the very beautiful song "Ribbons Down My Back" as sung by Hannah Nielsen. She sang with flawless tone and made the sweet ballad nothing less than compelling. I also must mention the costuming. A well earned ovation to Patti Karsevar.

As mentioned in the Channel 26 Great Day segment, a return to this ‘age of innocence' was not only fun, it was satisfying. Please go and prove for yourself that this production is positively worth it.