Hello Dolly
at Yorba Linda

Reviewed on March 16, 2018

NameSchoolPublication/Broadcasts
Mission Viejo
Orange County Register
Mission Viejo
OC Cappies Facebook
Irvine
OC Cappies Facebook



Ben Sellers
Mission Viejo

Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Yorba Linda's "Hello, Dolly!" Leads the Parade
written by Ben Sellers, a senior at Mission Viejo High School

A carefree adventure through the twists and turns of love and friendship, Yorba Linda High School's production of "Hello, Dolly!" is infectiously joyful and fun.

Dolly Levi does it all: dance lessons, legal advice, marriage arrangement, you name it. So when she decides to marry Horace Vandergelder for his money, nothing will get in her way. Two employees of Horace, Cornelius and Barnaby, also promise themselves an adventure in New York and get more than they bargain for after meeting Irene Malloy and Minnie Fay. As the night unravels, the streets of New York become a ballroom to dance through and fall in love on.

Rose Pell as the title character is lavish and articulate, bringing Dolly Levi to life with a compelling charisma that touches the lives of everyone she meets. As she meddles and preens throughout New York, we witness a full-fledged icon and woman-of-all-trades that makes for a wonderful performance. Her grumpy groom, Horace Vandergelder (Marco Gazich), miserly storms around with a "harumph" for most of the show, but shows his appreciation and love for Dolly at the end with a subtle softness and willingness to change.

With a silky voice and abrupt shyness towards women, Ian Dembek as Cornelius Hackl is a joy to watch and listen to. His comedic awkwardness quickly turns into an honest love for the posh Irene Malloy, played by Claire Marshall. Her beautiful vocals and protective nature make the two a lovely pair.

Caleb Huston as Barnaby Tucker is a silly foil to Dembek, shifting his weight nervously and demonstrating his youth through graceful dancing and singing. His match is made by the excitable Minnie Fay, played by Elyse Bell. Bell's naivete and girlish innocence slowly fades away as the two dance and fall in love.

The ensemble is everything in between; whether they're proudly marching in the Fourteenth Street Association Parade, or frantically serving customers at the Harmonia Gardens Restaurant. As they waltz, kick, and sing, the city of New York is brought to life with a handful of dedicated performers.

Calling all the cues for the show is Maggie Pell, the stage manager. Each track flowed seamlessly in and out of dialogue, giving the show a fast, effortless pace.

Through inspired performances and a committed ensemble, Yorba Linda's "Hello, Dolly!" is a jovial testament to all the crazy places that life and love can take us.

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Natalie Patrick
Mission Viejo

Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Yorba Linda's "Dolly" Has Built in Elegance
written by Natalie Patrick, a senior at Mission Viejo High School

Yorba Linda High School's clever production of "Hello, Dolly!" brilliantly reminds that love is the only thing you need to be happy.

Kindly meddling in everyone's business, Dolly Levi, played by Rose Pell, sets her sights on marrying the rich, and already engaged, Horace Vandergelder, played by Marco Gazich. Dolly's plan seems to fall into place when Vandergelder's clerks, Cornelius and Barnaby, played by Ian Dembek and Caleb Huston, fall in love with Vandergelder's fiancée, Irene Malloy, and her friend, Minnie Fay, played by Claire Marshall and Elyse Bell.

Dazzling with her bright voice and infectious smile, Rose Pell is marvelous as Dolly Levi. Her air of confidence shines through her brisk walk and tall stance as she shoots flirtatious glances and quick remarks at an oblivious Horace Vandergelder, played by Marco Gazich. Pell's comedic timing and larger than life facial expressions while threatening to leave Vandergelder in "So Long, Dearie," make her hilarious and endearing, but she also shows her softer side when glides gracefully and smiles graciously with old friends during "Hello, Dolly."

With his sweet smile and adorable innocence, Cornelius Hackl, played by Ian Dembek, is the perfect match for the polished and proper Irene Malloy, played by Claire Marshall. Dembek perfectly transforms from being jumpy and nervous around Marshall, with his quick steps and shaky hands, to being confident with his strong voice and loving stare during "It Only Takes a Moment." As Irene falls for Cornelius, Marshall stares at Dembek with infatuated eyes and a bright smile.

Caleb Huston and Elyse Bell are the sweet and quirky Barnaby and Minnie. Bell's bright eyes and bubbly voice with Huston's goofy smile and wide-eyed stares give the couple a youthful and optimistic air. The couple works well with Marshall and Dembeck as well, creating beautiful harmonies and graceful waltzes in "Dancing" and "Elegance."

Stage Manager, Maggie Pell, highlights the lovely actors with her timely cues. The transitions between scenes are quick and quiet, and never distract from the scenes and songs being performed by the actors. The transition into the glamorous Harmonia Gardens Restaurant feels magical, as the lights fade in perfectly in sync with the crimson curtain gliding open.

With its dazzling dance number, sparkling songs and smooth technical elements, Yorba Linda's production of "Hello, Dolly!" is a perfect reminder that love is what gives life its meaning.


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Sara Moinuddin
Irvine

Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

It'll Be Hard to Say Goodbye to Yorba Linda's "Hello, Dolly!"
written by Sara Mouinuddin, a sophomore at Irvine High School

Through the bustling streets of New York at the turn of the century, one name radiates in the air, Dolly Gallagher Levi. This woman of many strengths, including matchmaking, dancing, and even playing the mandolin, has her eyes set on marrying the half-a-millionaire, Horace Vandergelder. On Levi's pursuit a string of comedic inconveniences occur, but through it all, love finds a way to triumph.

Portraying the absolutely eccentric Dolly Levi is powerhouse actress, Rose Pell. Pell fully embodies the larger than life attitude of Dolly through grand gestures and striking facials. Accompanying her pompous demeanor is Pell's impeccable comedic timing and powerful vocals.

Two subjects to Levi's masterful matchmaking are Minnie Fay, played by Elyse Bell and Barnaby Tucker, played by Caleb Huston. Being the naive assistant of a hat shop, Fay's scatterbrained disposition was wonderfully characterized by Bell. Despite being a fast-talking chatterbox, every one of Bell's lines was easily understandable which completely elevated the character. Matching Minnie Fay's high energy is the delightful worker of Vandergelder's Hay & Feed store, Barnaby Tucker. Barnaby's kind nature is wonderfully executed by Huston's vibrant tone and movements.

Another couple that blossomed under Levi's guidance was that of Irene Malloy, played by Claire Marshall and Cornelius Hackl, played by Ian Dembek. Malloy, the owner of the hat shop, exudes elegance whenever onstage. Marshall masterfully characterizes Malloy through her consistent posh complexion and exquisite vocals. Adorably complimenting Malloy's charm is Hackl's romantic awkwardness. Hackl's mission during the show is to kiss a girl, and through Dembek's adventurous, yet innocent performance, the whole audience roots for him. From the moment they met, the two had immediate chemistry, and this chemistry is especially seen in the couple's duet, "It Only Takes A Moment." Throughout the song the two endearingly gaze into each other's eyes until coming together in the kiss Hackl ever so dearly sought after.

Making sure each queue is picked up, is the incredibly efficient stage management team consisting of Maggie Pell, Vanessa Hernandez, and Gracie Hurst. Insuring that the show moved as smoothly as possible, pulling off "Hello Dolly!" would not have been possible without this proficient team.

Yorba Linda's "Hello Dolly!" magnificently brought this show to life and put a little more love into the audience's hearts.


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