The plot of Hello, Dolly! is based on the 1835 English play A Day Well Spent. Set in Yonkers and New York City in the 1890’s, Hello, Dolly! is an exciting and passionate musical. The main character, Dolly Levi, is a widow who works as a matchmaker, dance instructor, and in various other jobs. She is reminiscent of a girl Friday. Dolly, a larger than life character, has her sights set on Mr. Vandergelder, a wealthy business owner in Yonkers. Vandergelder has hired Dolly to find him a wife, not because he wants to get married, but because he wants someone to take care of domestic responsibilities for him. Upon arriving in Yonkers, Dolly learns that Vandergelder has upset Ambrose Kemper, his niece’s fiancé. Vandergelder doubts that Kemper, a struggling artist, can provide a secure future for his niece. In Vandergelder’s song “It Takes a Woman,” he expresses his arrogant alpha male views at his Hay and Feed store.
Vandergelder departs for NYC to participate in the 14th street association parade and propose to Ms. Molloy, the owner of a hat shop. Dolly intervenes and devises a scheme for Ambrose and Ermengarde to unite in a dance competition at the Harmonia Gardens Restaurant, demonstrating Vandergelder’s potential as a provider for Ermengarde. Dolly additionally conspires with Vandergelder’s employees, Cornelius and Barnaby, to travel to NYC and enjoy an evening of leisure with two charming women.
One of the ladies, Ms. Molloy, was Vandergelder’s intended proposal. To create a good alibi for closing the store, Cornelius and Barnaby blow up tomato cans to create a terrible smell and then head to Ms. Molloy’s hat store. Ms. Molloy and her helper, Minnie, open up the store and Cornelius and Barnaby enter pretending to be wealthy customers. As the four engage in small talk and flirtation, Vandergelder and Dolly eventually arrive at the store. Afraid of Vandergelder discovering their escapades for the night, Cornelius and Barnaby hide while Vandergelder and Dolly are present.
After an uncomfortable exchange of pleasantries, Vandergelder realizes that there are men hiding in the shop and concludes that Ms. Molloy is not the right woman for him. At this point, Dolly steps in and organizes a plan for Cornelius and Barnaby to take the ladies out to dinner at the Harmonia Gardens. Dolly proceeds to give the men a dance lesson, after which they all leave the store to witness the 14th street parade. Dolly catches up with Vandergelder and persuades him to give her one more opportunity for matchmaking. She then arranges for him to meet Ms. Simple at Harmonia Gardens later that evening.
During the second half of the musical, Cornelius is anticipated to receive a kiss from Ms Molloy before the evening concludes. The impoverished store clerks are seated at a private table in Harmonia Gardens, where the ladies order their meals without regard for cost. Across the restaurant, Vandergelder encounters Ms Simple, who does not possess the wealth or elegance Dolly had described. Consequently, Ms Simple quickly becomes disinterested in Vandergelder, just as Dolly had intended. As the narrative unfolds, Cornelius and Barnaby confess their lack of funds but discover that the ladies still appreciate them.
Vandergelder observes Ambrose and Ermengarde dancing at the restaurant, while Ambrose declares his love for Ermengarde. Later that evening, Dolly and Vandergelder go their separate ways, and each couple also exits. The following morning, at Vandergelder’s feed and hay store, Vandergelder realizes he is by himself. Shortly after, all the characters reunite and share their future aspirations with Vandergelder. Vandergelder confesses to Dolly that he requires her presence in his life, affirming that “Money is like manure.”
“It’s not worth a thing unless it’s spread about, encouraging young things to grow,” was a saying often said by Dolly’s late husband. The musical concludes with Dolly assuring Vandergelder that she will never leave again. The variety of music styles in this piece span from romantic melodies to lively jazz tunes. The majority of the music performed creates and maintains momentum, with some elements of suspense that enhance the plot. Overall, this musical was cheerful, lively, and brimming with enthusiasm. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend it.
