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Cappie Reviews for PVI’s “Hello, Dolly!”
Looking for a matrimony made in heaven? Thinking about trading your paint
brush for a pair of dancing shoes? Well just call on Dolly Levi, the town’s
personal busy body who excels in the area of elegance as well as meddling who
came alive in Paul VI Catholic High School’s astonishing production of “Hello,
Dolly!”
“Hello, Dolly!,” based on Thornton Wilder’s "The Matchmaker," was first
introduced to the Broadway stage in 1964, winning the Tony Award for Best
Musical along with nine other awards. The plot revolves around twentieth
century matchmaker Dolly Levi who takes on the challenge of trying to find a
match for Horace Vandergelder, a half-millionaire, and it just so happens that
she is on the market. Simultaneously, unbeknownst to Vandergelder, the two
shop clerks, Barnaby and Cornelius, impulsively decide to close the shop and
find an adventure in New York that involves stuffed whales and chaste kisses
while their boss is out of town.
Paul VI did not disappoint in their glitzy presentation of the well-known
numbers of the production, especially depicted in the energetic numbers
“Before the Parade Passes By” and “The Waiters' Gallop” that utilized every
actor’s talent. The cast, extravagantly adorned with bright colors and
historically authentic props, came together to work scene changes, although
quite slowly, in a way that allowed them to never break character. Dance
numbers were well-executed as each character emitted genuine passion that was
fueled by the emotion of the play itself.
As Dolly Levi, Sean Pugerude was the definition of professionalism and
elegance. Pugerude was steadfast in her solid diction and striking facial
expressions that provided for a strong character that was utterly natural and
never failed to brighten the stage with every entrance. Passion was evident in
Pugerude’s eyes in numbers such as “Hello, Dolly!” and there was not a single
moment where Dolly’s signature charm or wit was muffled.
Daniel Rozmajzl (Cornelius) and Connor McAlevy (Barnaby) stole the show the
moment they hit the stage to present the audience do’s and don’ts. The
chemistry between these two characters was almost tangible, and there was not
a moment where their comedic timing, inflection, or funny remarks didn’t leave
the audience in stitches. Casey Enochs (Irene Malloy) did a phenomenal job of
portraying the innocent, love-struck character with her beautiful voice and
stunning smile alongside her hilarious partner Minnie Fay, portrayed by Patty
Kelleher, whose lovely harmonies and comical dialogue shined throughout the
show’s progression especially depicted in the number “Motherhood March.”
The orchestra was in tune and extremely pleasant to the ear, but at times
overbearing during certain songs. Save a couple of unheard lines, the
ensembles were clear, energetic, and introduced the aspect of audience
interaction within many of their performances. Scene changes, though long and
seemingly tedious, were mostly smooth as the extravagant sets were moved from
scene to scene.
Paul VI Catholic High School’s production of “Hello, Dolly!” left the audience
with smiles, many giggles, and even a tear or two, proving that “It Only Takes
a Moment” to fall in love with their production and regret the day you were
ever forced to say goodbye to Dolly.
by Nora Ogunleye of Pope John Paul the Great Catholic High School
--------------------------------------------------
Dolly Levi, born Gallagher. Available for matchmaking, dance lessons, ears
pierced, pierced ears replugged, varicose veins reduced, and standing
ovations. Paul VI Catholic High School’s recent performance of "Hello, Dolly!"
brought laughter and sweetness in the way only a classic musical can.
Set in the 1890s, "Hello, Dolly!" tells the story of a widowed matchmaker,
Dolly Levi (Sean Pugerude), and her attempts to win the heart of Horace
Vandergelder (Mickey Sheridan), a well-known half-a-millionaire. Meanwhile,
Horace’s two employees, Cornelius Hackl (Daniel Rozmajzl) and Barnaby Tucker
(Connor McAlevy), run away to spend a day in New York City, vowing not to come
home until they’ve kissed a girl. Unfortunately, they don’t realize that
Horace happens to be in the city that day as well. Romance, chaos, and
hilarity ensue. Written by Jerry Herman and based on Thornton Wilder’s "The
Matchmaker," "Hello, Dolly!" ran on Broadway for more than 2,000 performances
and has since enjoyed three Broadway revivals and a film adaptation starring
Barbra Streisand.
The students at Paul VI Catholic High School eschewed realism for their period
piece and played each character as over-the-top as possible, creating an
idealized, fun world where anything, even falling in love after just one
moment, could happen.
Though this production featured many strong performances, Sean Pugerude’s
larger-than-life portrayal of Dolly Levi made her the unchallenged cast
highlight. Pugerude never seemed to have any difficulty hitting Dolly’s
notoriously low notes and adopted the presence, confidence, and mannerisms of
a meddling older lady very naturally, making it easy to forget the actress’
actual age.
Most of the supporting characters turned in impressive performances as well.
Daniel Rozmajzl and Connor McAlevy demonstrated great comedic chemistry
onstage as the delightfully awkward Cornelius and Barnaby, respectively.
Equally strong, Casey Enochs and Patty Kelleher played up the silly sides of
milliners Irene Malloy and Minnie Fay, creating two fun, memorable characters.
During Act II, the ensemble got the chance to show off their skills during one
of the show’s most challenging numbers, the Waiter’s Gallop. Each waiter
performed difficult stunts—such as back-flipping and fruit juggling—with
confidence and energy, a minor issue in some of the other group numbers.
The sound crew of "Hello, Dolly!" never missed a cue, and the microphones
never malfunctioned, though there were a few incidents where they picked up
distracting background noises. Though many of the scene changes took a bit of
time, the cast invented clever ways to cover them up, keeping the audience
laughing while they waited.
In our world, where cynicism and edginess have become the standard, it’s easy
to forget that, sometimes, happy endings can and do happen. Fortunately, Paul
VI Catholic High School is here to remind us with their optimistic, sweet,
and, most of all, fun performance of "Hello, Dolly!"
by Wendy Briggs of West Springfield High School
--------------------------------------------------
“It only takes a moment” for audiences to fall head over heels for Paul VI
Catholic High School’s performance of "Hello, Dolly!" Generally regarded as a
staple of American musical theatre, "Hello, Dolly!" opened on Broadway in
1964. The show went on to win many Tony awards, including best musical, and
became one of the longest running shows in Broadway history.
"Hello, Dolly!" follows the heartwarming story of Dolly Levi, the crafty
matchmaker in Yonkers, New York. Traveling through New York, the audience
follows three different love stories, all of which are endearing and genuine
in their own right. From the Hay and Feed shop to Harmonia Gardens, the
characters liven the stage in every way possible and captivate the audience
from opening to closing.
In the title role of Dolly Levi, Sean Pugerude absolutely stole the show.
Throughout every scene, Pugerude performed with poise, maturity, and absolute
charm. Many times, one could have easily forgotten that the leading lady was
not, in fact a professional actor, but rather a high school student. Not only
did Dolly have the biggest purse on stage, but the biggest personality as
well. Critical to the plot line, the devilishly delightful duo from the Hay
and Feed shop, Cornelius and Barnaby (Daniel Rozmajzl and Connor McAlevy)
brought a delightful mix of humor and sincerity to an already pleasurable
show. The two were entirely committed to their characters and had flawless
comedic timing, functioning as an outrageous and charming team. Their love
interests, Minnie and Irene (Patty Kelleher and Casey Enochs), were another
admirable ensemble, and were key to the sincere romance within the plot.
The ensemble in Paul VI Catholic High School’s show created realistic towns in
New York and added a whole other dose of hilarity to the sensational tale of
love and humor. With a host of subtle yet enjoyable gimmicks, the ensemble
never detracted from the energy of the show, but rather enhanced it ten-fold.
Perhaps the most delightful part of the ensemble was the waiters at the
Harmonia Gardens restaurant. Their aerobatic antics were a sheer joy for the
audience and were indeed one of the highlights of the show. Additionally, the
inclusion of multiple adults to the ensemble was not only adorable, but helped
the audience to see just how dedicated the cast members were to the show.
A pleasure from start to finish, Paul VI Catholic High School’s production of
"Hello, Dolly!" fully embodied what viewers love theatrical productions to be.
The show never faltered and maintained a high level of energy and humor
throughout. As the show ended, the audience could not help but hope that
“Dolly’ll never go away again!”
by Miranda Tower of West Springfield High School
--------------------------------------------------
It only took a moment to fall in love with Paul VI Catholic High School’s
performance of "Hello, Dolly!"
"Hello, Dolly!," written by Michael Stewart with music and lyrics by Jerry
Herman, is a classic show about the matchmaker Dolly Levi and her adventure to
marry Horace Vandergelder, the half a millionaire. Along the way she wiggles
her pinky finger and helps others including Vandergelder’s workers Cornelius
Hackl and Barnaby Tucker find love as well. This story of true adventure takes
place in New York at the beginning of the 20th century and encompasses the
ideas and morals of the time.
All in all, PVI’s performance of "Hello, Dolly!" was extremely enjoyable to
watch. The show started off on a high note with a hilarious introduction by
two of the main characters. Even though the ensemble had inconsistent energy
throughout the show, the students were able to pull off a fun and lively
production that the audience clearly enjoyed due to the standing ovation at
the end.
Dolly Levi, played by Sean Pugerude, is the sneaky and creative matchmaker in
the show. Pugerude was perfect for the role. Every single time she stepped out
on the stage she brought with her a new and exciting energy that made the
crowd roar with laughter. Her talents were best shown off in her performance
of “Before the Parade Passes By” where her natural belt shined. Cornelius
Hackl, played by Daniel Rozmajzl, is Vandergelder’s head clerk and he went to
New York to find adventure and maybe kiss a girl. Rozmajzl had a great sense
of comedic timing and he portrayed the awkward in love Cornelius very well.
His facial expressions along with his mannerisms reflected his obvious
character work and dedication to his part.
Minnie Fay, played by Patty Kelleher, is a nervous, young woman who works in a
hat shop and has never really been out of her little corner in the city.
Kelleher was hilarious in her portrayal of Minnie. She used many perfect
mannerisms and developed quality relationships with other members of the cast
most notably Barnaby Tucker. Barnaby, played by Connor McAlevy, is another
employee of Vandergelder and gets a little in over his head on his adventure
with Cornelius. McAlevy seemed extremely comfortable on stage and worked well
with Rozmajzl to get a reaction from the audience. An ensemble that did a
great job was the Waiters at Harmonia Gardens. They were spot on with all of
their dance steps, notably Kayla Sharpe, and made the scene lively and energetic.
On the technical side, the crew did a good job of moving the play along during
the scene changes. Though sometimes they were a bit slow, they made great
recoveries and kept the pacing up. The lighting and sound had few to almost no
issues, and that itself is extremely commendable due to the number of
microphones in use. Overall the tech did not distract from the show and
sometimes even gave it a cool flare like at the restaurant during "The
Waiter’s Gallop."
The cast of Paul VI Catholic High School’s "Hello, Dolly!" truly had
“Elegance” in their Sunday clothes, and it was hard to say “So Long, Dearie”
at the end of it.
by Kaitlin Hamer of Bishop Ireton High School
--------------------------------------------------
Welcome to the world of matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi, where "meddling" is a
hobby and there is a business card for everything.
Dolly Levi, a widow, is to find a woman that is suitable for the also recently
widowed Horace Vandergelder, a grouchy half-millionaire from Yonkers. The Paul
VI players from Paul VI Catholic High School excelled in their performance of
"Hello, Dolly!". The music and lyrics of this classic musical were written by
Jerry Herman, and the book was written by Michael Stewart. It was first
produced on Broadway in 1964. Dolly will do whatever it takes to win the heart
of Horace, no matter the shenanigans that ensue. In the mean time, she must
pretend to set him up with Irene Malloy, a hatter.
The Paul VI players possessed energy throughout the duration of the show.
Every member of the cast enthusiastically played their parts. The ensembles
never distracted the audience from what was going on in the scenes. However,
some actors lacked definitive and consistent character development. The
charisma of the cast ensured that there was not a dull moment when the actors
were on stage, particularly during the scene with the skillfully acrobatic
waiters at the Harmonia Gardens restaurant.
Sean Pugerude (Dolly) shined as the titular character. Her use of body
language clearly conveyed Dolly's sassy and brassy nature. When she sets her
eyes on Horace, her eyes seem to sparkle with determination to get her way.
When not thinking about how to get together with Horace, she flirts with other
men; she casually rubs up against them and they fall under her spell.
Pugerude's portrayal of Dolly exudes confidence, as she pulls her shoulders
back, holds her head high, and walks with a sure stride. Her singing voice is
clear as a bell and was big in a way that was very appropriate for her
outgoing character. Most of all, she seemed like a professional. She never
lapsed out of character and all of her actions were done in an "all-out" manner.
Daniel Rozmajzl (Cornelius Hackl) and Connor McAlevy (Barnaby Tucker) play
clerks who work in Horace's business. Together, they have fantastic chemistry
and appear to be very comfortable with each other. Their comfort level is
apparent in the way they move fluidly and without reserve. Their bantering
makes it appear as if they are brothers, with Rozmajzl's character being the
assertive older brother and McAlevy's character being the goofy younger
brother. They support each other through difficult times. In addition, McAlevy
had the audience in stitches with his amusing physicality that stems from his
character's clumsiness and fearful obedience. Patty Kelleher (Minnie Fay) was
equally funny as Barnaby's love interest. When she spoke, the audience had no
idea what to expect, whether it be mumbling or shrieking. Kelleher essentially
played Minnie as the female version of Cornelius, which worked very well.
The set and costumes, both of which were professional, made sure that the show
was tidy looking and accurately captured the looks of turn-of-the-century New
York.
Overall, the Paul VI theatre department put on a wonderfully entertaining and
colorful production of "Hello, Dolly!". It only took a moment to realize that
this show had something more than elegance: heart.
by Beth Lindenblad of West Springfield High School
--------------------------------------------------
All Aboard! Hop on the Dolly train for an adventure you don’t want to miss as
Paul VI Catholic High School performs a favorite classic “Hello, Dolly!”
Originally based on the play "The Matchmaker" by Thornton Wilder, "Hello,
Dolly!" shares the adventure of Dolly Levi. Set in New York, Dolly arranges a
marriage for a dear friend Horace Vandergelder to a NYC hat shop owner Irene
Molloy. However, the musical takes a twist as widow Dolly decides that she
wants to marry Horace and does everything she can to make sure that happens
including setting Horace’s mind on a crazy, wealthy heiress Ernestina Money.
"Hello, Dolly!" first ran on Broadway in 1964 at the St. James Theater and has
been performed in many schools and programs ever since.
With such a large cast, PVI’s production combined a sense of professionalism
through actors' stage presence, vocal ability, and was supported by strong
technical features.
Sean Pugerude took on the demanding role of Dolly Levi. With a stage presence
almost like a fairy godmother, Pugerude used her character parameters to the
fullest. As well as character portrayal, Pugerude had strong vocal abilities,
shining in numbers like “Before the Parade Passes By” and “Hello, Dolly!”.
Lead Actor Daniel Rozmajzl (Cornelius) connected humor and vocal abilities
well. An especially notable moment was when he fell in love with Irene Molloy.
While some actors were lacking in energy and vocal strongholds, the chemistry
of the characters worked well as a whole.
Love-struck Irene Molloy was played by talented Casey Enochs. Enochs soprano
voice was especially shown in “Ribbons Down My Back” and “Dancing”. The
chemistry she had with Cornelius (Rozmajzl) was believable. Conner McAlevy
played goofy Barnaby and brought a sense of comedy to the stage. A third
actress that provided comedy and had a strong soprano voice was Patty Kelleher
(Minnie Fay).
While the energy of the ensemble lacked as a whole, the waiters particularly
brought that energy up in their dancing scene. Each waiter was able to
showcase a specific talent such as back-flips, pirouettes, or the splits and
kept the energy upbeat. A few notable ensemble members include Kayla Sharpe
who was an exceptional ballerina as well as actress; and Greg Hoppe who beamed
his happiness when onstage and made the most of each of his characters.
Technically, the show had glitches, but overall was well done and carried out
efficiently. Though there were difficulties in sound, the actors adjusted well
and the problems were mostly resolved for the second act. Lighting by Eric
Malloy, Christina d’Alelio, Spencer Loessberg, and Scott Wehner were executed
well, with mood lighting transitioning from the city of Yonkers to New York
City and spotlights adding focus to the monologues and high points in songs.
Overall, PVI’s performance seemed professional and each person worked to own
their character, which was easily seen throughout the show.
by Allyson Markussen of Bishop Ireton High School
--------------------------------------------------
Yonkers, New York: land of luncheons, poker games, and love - nobody's leaving
without getting married!
Such was its portrayal in Paul VI Catholic High School's breathtaking
production of "Hello, Dolly!," a famous musical dating back to 1964 and based
on Thorton Wilder's The Matchmaker. For almost fifty years, "Hello, Dolly!"
charmed and delighted audiences everywhere with its witty story and hilarious
mishaps. Paul VI's performance proved no exception.
As the curtains drew back, the cast surged forward, and the spot-on lighting
illuminated their clothes and seemed to cast thousands of sparkling diamonds
around the stage. Sean Pugerude (Dolly Levi) enchanted the audience from her
first word, playfully rearranging the cast until everyone had a fiancee.
Pugerude captured the essence of her character in a phenomenal performance,
and her energy and wittiness glimmered as brightly as her rich ruby dress
during the iconic descent into the Harmonia Gardens. The audience loved the
hilarity and chemistry of Daniel Rozmajzl (Cornelius Hackl) and Connor McAlevy
(Barnaby Tucker), from their desire to see the lights of Broadway and the
stuffed whale to their determination to kiss a girl - despite the minor
problem of not knowing one. No worries, for the exchange between Casey Enochs
(Irene Malloy) and Rozmajzl during "Dancing" revealed the very moment they
fell for each other. Consequently, their expressions of love in "It Only Takes A M
oment" sent tears flowing from both the cast and the observers.
Perhaps the greatest achievement of Paul VI's production was the way they made
the audience feel like a part of the show. The cast accomplished this in a
number of moments, from marching along the aisles during "Before the Parade
Passes By" to making people believe that monologues were aimed at them. The
interplay amongst various cast members transferred as both believable and
delightful. Patty Kelleher (Minnie Fay) and Enochs bantered as humorously as
Rozmajzyl and McAlevy. The dance numbers can only be described as works of
art. The cast's dedication captured and engaged the house. Although a few
characters felt undefined, the overflowing energy of the cast drew the
audience in like flies to honey.
The technical and musical aspects of the show enhanced the mood with brightly
lit scenes and dance-inducing music. Although a few of the scene changes
lagged, the upbeat music and occasional actions by daring actors onstage held
attention. For instance, Pugerude's fascination with the turkey - even
offering the audience a bite and switching plates with her neighbor - during a
transition resulted in gales of laughter and raucous applause.
Paul VI Catholic High School's production seemed far too professional to count
as a high school play. The consistent energy, the explosive dynamics, the
detailed characterization, the harmonious singing, the infallible
interactions, and many more details contributed to one spectacular
performance. It only took a moment for the audience to fall in love with the
show. So, by its end, the audience felt wed to the production.
Dolly did her job again.
by Ben Koses of West Springfield High School
--------------------------------------------------
“It only takes a moment” to fall in love with any production of the
ever-enchanting "Hello, Dolly!" – but when a show is as energetic and joyful
as that of Paul VI High School, it may take even less.
Based on Thornton Wilder’s 1955 play "The Matchmaker," "Hello, Dolly!" is a
Tony Award-winning musical first produced on Broadway in 1964. Now a musical
theatre classic, it follows the brassy Dolly Levi through her escapades as
matchmaker, eligible woman, and friend to farcical shopkeepers and waiters
alike. Set in New York City and Yonkers at the turn of the century, the show
is a light comedy that features famous songs such as “Put On Your Sunday
Clothes” and “Hello, Dolly!”
Commanding leading lady Sean Pugenide gave an endearing, cheery performance as
title character Dolly Levi, who combines sass with sentimentality in her
matchmaking prowess. Pugenide carried the show splendidly, whether belting a
ballad with a smile, entertaining the crowd through a scene change, or being
moved to tears by her husband’s memory.
While the ensemble struggled to overcome a rehearsed, lackluster start,
wonderfully synchronized dancing and an outstandingly inclusive cast
ultimately combined to show off a charming and engaged group of actors. Ballet
dancing and gymnastics, particularly from featured dancers Kayla Sharpe and
Alex Siegal, sparkled during "The Waiters’ Gallop," while a unicycle made an
appearance during the parade. Such details made for a constantly entertaining
and innovative show, capped by the featured comedic actors Joey Arzeno as
Adolf and Anita Tellez-Mansy as Ernestina Money.
Adorable, stuttering, awkward comedic duo Daniel Rozmajzyl and Connor McAlevy
as store clerks Cornelius and Barnaby lit up the stage from the very
beginning, starting with their surprising spotlight-stealing comedy while
giving the pre-show announcements. From there, Rozmajzyl grew into a solid
lead actor, from his vivid, wide-eyed expressions to his smooth, pleasant vocals.
The graceful Casey Enochs shone vocally as milliner Irene Malloy, showcasing a
unique and sugary voice in combination with her character’s signature romantic
thirst for adventure. Patty Kelleher worked well with Enochs as her bouncy,
exaggerated coworker Minnie Fay, delivering comic relief to the often
melodramatic scenes. These actors combined with their male counterparts,
Rozmajzyl and McAlevy, to create the night’s most amusing and busy number, the
farcically patriotic “Motherhood March.”
While technical difficulties distracted from large chorus numbers, one
impressive technical element was the lighting, which was both functional and
reflective of the mood if not always appropriate to the setting. Most
outstanding was the most behind-the-scenes process of all: the stellar
marketing and publicity, which appealed to a clearly close-knit community
through YouTube videos and online blogs testifying to the show’s magnetism.
This uplifting, pleasurable production really only had one problem: after
saying “Hello, Dolly!” one always has to say “goodbye.”
by Catherine Lucia Addington of Bishop Ireton High School
--------------------------------------------------
Color, humor, and life were brought to the stage at Paul VI High School by the
PVI Players’ and ITS’s production of Hello, Dolly!
Hello, Dolly! is a comedy surrounding the life and meddlings of Dolly Levi, a
New York socialite and matchmaker played by Sean Pugerude. The audience
follows her as she attempts to make a match for herself with the
half-millionaire, Horace Vandergelder played by Mickey Sheridan. She also
matches up Vandergelder’s employees, Cornelius and Barnaby (Daniel Rozmajzyl
and Connor McAlevy) with the young widow, Irene Molloy (Casey Enochs), and her
assistant, Minnie Fay (Patty Kelleher). Once all the pairings are made
initially, folly ensues!
Sean Pugerude was phenomenally cast in the role of Dolly. She was humorous in
her mannerisms, facial expressions, timing, and emphasis. She was not afraid
to take risks, which made her even more enjoyable to watch. She was obviously
very comfortable on stage and the audience responded amazingly well to her.
Her voice shined throughout the show but especially in numbers such as I Put
My Hand In and her part in Hello, Dolly. Although the show is a comedy,
Pugerude added moments of sincerity as Dolly when talking to her late husband,
Ephraim. Another actor who added sincerity was Daniel Rozmajzyl who played
Cornelius as innocent, unassuming, and love-struck. He too was a strong
vocalist and it was apparent in the songs, Dancing and It Only Takes a Moment.
There was obvious chemistry all throughout the cast. The comedy between
Cornelius and his assistant, Barnaby, played by Connor McAlvery, was notable.
The two actors played very well off of each other. They also played well off
of their love interests, played by Enochs and Kelleher, who along with
Pugerude did a fantastic performance of Motherhood March. The vocals were
strong and everything on stage during that song was perfectly timed. The
relationships in the show were entertaining and didn’t seem forced in any way
and the chemistry between actors lit up the stage. The whole cast had an
amazing energy which kept the audience engaged. The Waiters’ Gallop was
especially energy filled and all of the actors involved in that were very
swift and they impressed the audience with their acrobatics. Watching this
part of the show seemed like watching the circus.
The technical side of the show was notable as well. The lighting was a good
way to set the scenes, and it always kept the actors illuminated. It was also
used well to direct the audience’s attention to certain places on stage while
scene changes were going on. The sound, although there were occasional hums
from microphones, ran relatively smoothly.
PVI High School’s performance of Hello, Dolly! was comical, engaging, and
colorful. The show was upbeat and truly showcased the talents of the PVI
Players.
by Catherine Schreiber of Bishop Ireton High School
--------------------------------------------------
Smiling faces, beautiful voices, and goofy characters came together
harmoniously in Paul the Sixth’s Production of “Hello Dolly” and set the stage
for a whirlwind of mix-ups, love triangles, and a bit of “meddling” on the
part of celebrity match-maker, Dolly Levi.
The musical with lyrics and music by Jerry Herman is based on Thornton
Wilder's 1938 popular book, “The Merchant of Yonkers” which was later revised
and re-titled “The Matchmaker” in 1955. “Hello Dolly” is the story of Mrs.
Dolly Levi’s efforts to marry the grumpy and seemingly uninterested Horace
Vandergelder who also happens to be a half millionaire. Along the way she also
succeeds in matching up the beautiful widow and hat maker Mrs. Irene Malloy
with Vandergelder’s head clerk Cornelius Hackl and Cornelius’ assistant,
Barnaby Tucker with Mrs. Malloy’s assistant Minnie Fay in a series of
hilarious and wild events which often leave audience members gasping for air.
Paul the Sixth’s production of “Hello Dolly” was very enjoyable and funny to
watch. Strong leads, and great character interactions between Cornelius and
Barnaby as well as Mrs. Malloy and Minnie gave the show a believable and
genuine quality, and helped maintain pace. Vocals throughout the show were
also very impressive and the large ensemble’s unrelenting energy and drive
really kept the audience engaged and entertained.
There were very few if any weak links in this show especially among the
principal roles. Dolly, played by Sean Pugerude commanded every scene and
always appeared very comfortable and professional on stage. These qualities
really came through in songs like “Motherhood March” where she struggled to
distract Mr. Vandergelder from seeing Cornelius and Barnaby in the shop, often
having to make stuff up on the spot and improvise. She was also vocally
talented and captured strong emotions in scenes like, “Before the Parade
Passes By” that could be felt by audience members and characters alike.
Cornelius Hackl (Daniel Rozmajzl) was also a sheer delight to watch. He was
vocally capable really embodied the naïve, innocence that Cornelius has about
him, and his chemistry with co-star Barnaby Tucker (Connor McAlevy) was always
cute and goofy. Another dynamic duo was Mrs. Malloy and her assistant Minnie
from New York. Every time Mrs. Malloy dreamed of falling in love again and
acting youn
ger and possibly “provocative” for her age, Minnie was always there to talk
some sense into her, even if it was through her funny mumbling on the side or
animated gestures and expressions. They too were also fabulous singers.
The large ensemble really helped carry the show from start to finish and
maintain pace. Although the dances were occasionally sloppy, there were
certain standouts in scenes like “Waiter’s Gallop”. Despite this minor
setback, the ensemble was for the most part, very engaged and dedicated to
their individual character’s personality. A great example of this was
Ernestina played by Anita Tellez-Mansy, who had the absolute best facial
expressions and really played the “tacky date” part well.
The technical aspects of this show were pretty consistent with most average
high school performances. The sound was sometimes so loud and fuzzy that you
could barely hear the people without mics, and mics were often left on too
long. Scene changes were also extremely slow and distracting without getting
much better in the second act. Lighting for the most part was very good, and
the technique of matching the lighting with the gradually changing mood in
“Before the Parade Passes” was brilliant and very innovational!
For an exciting performance with near-professional polish, Paul the Sixth
deserves a big round of applause for their production of “Hello Dolly”.
by Halie Beard of Bishop Ireton High School
--------------------------------------------------
Paul VI took on a feat of honor for their spring musical this year. Can you
guess what it is? Hint: she stands for Motherhood, America, and a hot lunch
for orphans. Dolly Levi! Dolly returns to the stage in Paul VI’s performance
of Hello Dolly! The musical centers around the infamous Dolly Gallagher Levi
who “puts her hand in” to arrange things like luncheon parties, poker games,
and love. Dolly has just been hired to arrange a marriage between the grumpy
half-millionaire Horace Vandergelder and the widow Irene Malloy who is rumored
to have killed her last husband. Vandergelder’s employees, Cornelius Hackle
and Barnaby Tucker, decide to take the day off from Horace’s hay and feed
store in Yonkers and see New York City (and they won’t come back until they’ve
kissed a girl). In the typical way people fall in love in musicals, Cornelius
falls in love with Mrs. Malloy in only a moment, as does Barnaby with Malloy’s
employee, Ms. Minnie Fay. Madness and hilarity ensue as all of th
e couples meet at the Harmonia Gardens restaurant. Dolly is determined to
marry Horace and sets him up with Ms. Ernestina Money, a crude and
unfortunate-looking soul, to make sure he won’t fall for anyone. Dancing
waiters, arrests, and not-so-heartfelt goodbyes follow with a tear-jerking
ending that brought the audience to their feet.
Dolly Levi was played immaculately by Sean Pugerude. The character work Sean
had done really showed and it was a joy to watch everything she did onstage.
She never broke character and had the voice of an angel, really making me
believe she was a flamboyant widow at the turn of the century. Cornelius
(Daniel Rozmajzyl) and Barnaby (Connor McAlevy) stole the show with their
dynamic presence and insane chemistry. Daniel broke our hearts as Cornelius
serenaded Mrs. Malloy in “It Only Takes a Moment” and sang splendiferously.
Casey Enochs also shined as Mrs. Irene Malloy with beautiful singing in
“Ribbons Down My Back”, “It Only Takes A Moment”, and “Elegance”.
The Dancing Waiters were a highlight of the show, spinning, flipping, and
cartwheeling across the stage. Kayla Sharpe shined as she danced in the
Waiter’s Gallop, never missing a beat or an opportunity to make the audience
laugh. While the Waiter’s ensemble was strong, other ensembles lacked energy
and character work, which took away from the show. Also, some of the set
changes were entirely too long which really broke the mood between scenes,
making the show seem choppy. None of these things however, could keep the
audience from rising to their feet as Dolly came out for her final goodbye.
Paul VI succeeded in providing an entertaining night with their production of
Hello Dolly!
by Jack Ladd of Bishop Ireton High School
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“Hello, Dolly!” is a musical that entails unforeseen romances, comedic duos,
grand parades, and twirling, dancing waiters, leading to an absolute success
with its charismatic and dazzling Dolly (Sean Pugerude). Paul VI Catholic High
School proudly presents the classic and delightful production of “Hello, Dolly!”.
Originally, the musical was written by Michael Stewart, and based on Thornton
Wilder’s 1938 "The Merchant of Yonkers," retitled "The Matchmaker" in 1955.
“Hello, Dolly!” presented itself as a fresh, charming, and lively musical to
St. James Theatre in 1964 and later to the big stage, Broadway. The 2,844 runs
of the musical were a testimony to its phenomenal success.
At the start, Paul VI Catholic High School’s players captured their audience
as the dark velvet colored curtains swept opened to present a vibrant array of
early 20th century gowns, feathered accessories, and merry people strolling
the streets. Dolly’s vivacious spirit came forth at her grand entrance
supported by her excellent projection and cheerful smile. The recently widowed
Dolly, also known as a matchmaker, encountered conflict when hired to match
the cantankerous half-millionaire widow, Horace Vandergelder (Mickey Sheridan)
with Irene Molloy (Casey Enochs), a sweet and innocent hat shop owner. When
Dolly realized her own desire to marry Vandergelder, she embarked on a long
journey to win the heart of the irritable, puffy-faced millionaire. During the
same time, Vandergelder’s Hay and Feed Store employees Cornelius (Daniel
Rozmajzyl) and Barnaby (Connor McAlevy) embark on a journey of their own, to
discover the world beyond Yonkers and be bestowed a kiss by a beautiful
girl. These desires were especially sparked after the music number, “It Takes
a Woman,” during which time an ensemble of featured adults danced in unison,
and Cornelius and Barnaby contributed their own comical duet. The next notable
music number was “Motherhood March,” when Cornelius and Barnaby nearly run
into Vandergelder in New York and end up scrambling into the hat shop’s pink
colored closet doors and beneath the table for refuge. Minnie Fay (Patty
Kelleher), Ms. Molloy’s skittish and fussy friend at the shop, warmed up to
Barnaby as did Irene to Cornelius, unaware of the two men’s realistic social
status. Nevertheless, the two pairs of lovers waltzed down the streets, into
the grand parade and music number “Before the Parade Passes By.” This
wonderful song included nearly the entire cast parading through the audience
and up the steps in ribbons, dresses, hats, costumes, and holding signs. It
was in this music number that the spirit of the cast reflected entirely and su
ccessfully, lifting the energy of the musical. Finally, Dolly’s entrance in
her red glittering dress and powerful projected voice for the “Hello, Dolly”
music number confirmed the highlight of the musical. It is in that scene, the
Harmonia Gardens scene, that Cornelius, Barnaby, Irene, and Minnie find
themselves in an elegant restaurant where waiters juggled kitchen utensils and
bread, passed plates across the stage, jump-roped with napkins, sword fought
with restaurant items and executed precise foutte turns such as by dancer,
Kayla Sharpe.
Two very notable technical aspects to the musical were its lighting and sets.
The lighting provided colors that reflected the mood of the scene, either
reflecting Dolly’s melancholy recollection of her deceased husband or the
joyful glee that surrounded the parade. The sets were equally as influential
to the mood and overall impression the audience drew from the musical.
Paul VI Catholic High School’s production of
“Hello, Dolly!” was a truly charming, delightful, and lively musical, a sure
success.
by Katarina Frustaci of Bishop Ireton High School
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Paul the VI High School put on an extraordinarily energetic play that really
had the audience cheering and engaged fully. “Holly, Dolly” written by Michael
Stewart was based off of the “The Matchmaker” by Thornton Wilder. Dolly is a
matchmaker who likes to meddle into other people’s lives. After being hired to
arrange a marriage for Horace Vandergelder she finds herself in a position
she’ll never forget.
Sean Pugerude (“Dolly”) shined on stage, presenting a very strong-willed
character that gets what she wants. Her confidence definitely showed,
especially through her singing, keeping a steady voice she clearly worked the
audience. Along with Mickey Sheridan (“Horace”) a complete character foil,
they both held great facial expressions and stayed in character throughout the
whole performance.
Daniel Roxmajzyl and Connor McAlevy (“Cornelius” and Barnaby”) were hilarious
and had great chemistry, they played off each other’s energy along with their
lady’s Casey Enochs and Patty Kellener (“Irene” and “Minnie”). All four of
them were a joy to watch on stage. Even the whole ensemble had high energy and
showed tremendous talent and hard work. The dancing was all different and
showed off the actors abilities and skills. The waiters really took the stage
by storm putting on their show and showing off their dancing skills.
One song stood out throughout the whole show, that was “Motherhood March”.
With all the main characters up on stage they really showed off their comedic
talent with perfect comedic timing. They all sounded beautifully keeping on
beat and really playing off each other and including every single person.
Sound did well with very little mistakes or static. “Hello Dolly” was a blast
to watch and sing along to. Everyone in the audience took to the show. “It
only takes a moment”.
by Sarah Hix of Fairfax High School
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Hello Dolly is a classic lighthearted comedy that is a popular favorite with
many older theater-goers. It was produced in 1964 and follows the incredibly
vibrant matchmaker, dance teacher and jack-of-all-trades Dolly Levi as she
meddles in the lives of Cornelius and Barnaby, Irene Malloy and Minnie, Horace
Vandergelder and many many others.
It takes a woman, a talented woman to transform a sexist 1960s show into a
farcical masterpiece. Paul VI Catholic High School was graced with such a
woman. Sean Pugerude performed the title role of Dolly with professional poise
and fantastic comedic timing. From her first song "I Put My Hand In" Dolly
owned the stage with her confident stance and impressive vocal range. She drew
the audience's eye to her no matter what she was doing,even if what she was
doing was just eating chicken during a scene change. She cleverly portrayed
her subtext with differences in her voice and face giving the audience the
giggles every time she addressed the curmudgeonly Horace Vandergelder (played
by Mickey Sheridan) Her performance also had some truly touching moments such
as the times she addressed her late husband.
Another actor who mastered the balance between comedy and sincerity was Daniel
Rozmajzl. He played Cornelius with the endearing awkwardness that is essential
to the role, and had great chemistry with both Barnaby, his equally endearing
partner in crime and Miss Malloy his romantic interest. Barnaby was played by
Connor McAlevy and Miss Malloy by Casey Enochs. Barnaby's dorky catchphrase
"Holy Cabooses!" and his fanatical unending fascination with the stuffed whale
made his character lovably eccentric. Casey Enoch had an incredible singing
voice and hit every note in her solo "Ribbons down my back"
The energy and precision of the ensemble were remarkably consistent and made
even the longest dance numbers a pleasure to watch. The acrobatic talent of
the ensemble was also amazing and best showcased in the complicated
choreography of "Hello Dolly" Joey Arzeno was especially humorous,such as when
he energetically offered up his lap for Dolly to sit on, or was hit in the eye
with a champagne cork and returned with an eyepatch.
The level of detail put into every aspect of the show was really admirable,
such as the vast number of hat boxes in Mrs. Malloy's shop and the goods for
sale in the hay and feed store. The sets were beautiful, realistic and solidly
build. In fact all the technical elements seemed polished and prepared. Any
microphone issues were minuscule and quickly remedied. The sound effects were
interesting and on point. The orchestra mastered what sounded like an
extremely difficult score with disciplined precision. The lighting was warm
and inviting, fitting the mood of the show. Paul IV should be proud of their
professional-level performance of this enduring classic.
by Betsy Ryan of Falls Church
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“Holy cabooses!” Did you hear, “That it only took a moment,” to see the
enchanting musical “Hello, Dolly!” at Paul VI Catholic High School (PVI) in
Fairfax, Virginia?
“Hello, Dolly!” is based on Thornton Wilder’s “The Matchmaker.” “Hello,
Dolly!” opened on January 16, 1964 at the St. James Theatre. This fabulous
musical briefly held the record for longest-running Broadway production
(almost 8 years with 2,844 performances). The only show to have surpassed its
time on Broadway is “Fiddler on the Roof”. Dolly Levi (Sean Pugerude), a
recent widow, wants to marry Yonkers’ well-known half-a-millionaire Horace
Vandergelder (Mickey Sheridan). Through a series of twists and turns and
sudden romance, Dolly gets wants she wants. The theme in this musical is true
love; more importantly, true love isn’t perfect, but can be obtained.
PVI far surpassed expectations of a high school production. With amazing
talent among the cast, the theme of true love shined bright. The entire cast
of this production had high energy throughout the show. The show earned a
standing ovation from the audience.
Dolly Levi (Sean Pugerude) had a high level of energy from the get-go.
Pugerude is destined for greatness if she chooses to explore theatre programs
at colleges. Cornelius Hackl (Daniel Rozmajzl) was very funny and had great
comic timing and had great chemistry with Irene Molloy (Casey Enochs) and
Dolly. He also, worked extremely well with Barnaby Tucker (Connor McAlevy).
Speaking of Barnaby Tucker and Irene Molloy, words barely scratch the surface
of how extraordinary this show was. You can say names and point fingers at
people who stood out; however, with this show, everyone was absolutely
fabulous. The entire ensemble was truly dedicated and worked extremely hard
to make this show happen and happen, it did. Then again with the extensive
choreography, they had to. It must be true then, what they say, “It takes a
woman…” Kudos to the choreographer, for her dedication and patience to the
students and theatre department at PVI throughout the duration of the show.
Lighting and sound was great, despite some minor microphone issues. The most
enchanting technical aspects of the show were the costumes and set. Although
not eligible, they worked to the advantage of PVI show.
Paul VI Catholic High School’s production of “Hello, Dolly!” was almost that
of a professional company. They worked extremely hard and it showed.
Congratulations on a job well done!
by Boris Mewborn of Falls Church
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Paul VI High School’s production of Hello Dolly was well worthy of praise and
acclamations! First however a few words about the musical itself. Hello Dolly
is a musical comedy centering around Dolly Levi’s attempts to marry the rich
curmudgeon Horace Vandergelder with the intent to spread around his money to
people in memory of her late husband. In the process, Dolly ends up playing
matchmaker for the young widow Irene Malloy and Vandergelder’s head clerk
Cornelius Hackl, as well as Cornelius’ assistant Barnaby Tucker and Mrs.
Malloy’s assistant Minnie Fay. She as well became matchmaker for Ambrose
Kemper, a struggling artist and Vandergelder’s constantly whining niece,
Ermengarde. After several chance meetings partly set up by Dolly, all of the
couples end up at the nicest restaurant in the city, Harmonia Gardens. After
Horace Vandergelder becomes aware of the others presence he loses his temper
and gets arrested. By the end of the story, he is left broken, his reputatio
n ruined and his employees making plans to open another feed shop across from
his shop. At the end, he is without a wife and he finally realizes that he
loves Dolly so he proposes to her. But the story is meaningless if it isn’t
told properly by the cast and crew and in the case of the Paul VI theater
members this story was told brilliantly.
So before the praises are given out, a few short comings of this performance
should be addressed. The most noticeable issue was some of the scene changes.
They were too long and to visible which really broke the flow of the story.
However to the crew’s credit they tried to maintain character during some of
these scene changes which is definitely a step in the right direction. The
other issues were mostly technical ones which are hard to avoid. Issues such
as the orchestra becoming a little too loud and the microphones coming on a
second late during a musical number as well as acting wise though some
performances seemed somewhat nervous which sometimes delayed the actors
performances. Overall these actors delivered an amazing performance with the
level of energy and commitment that you would expect from seasoned professionals.
Now to give special mention to some of the noteworthy performances: Sean
Pugerude, who played Dolly is first up for two reasons. She played the title
character and also because like other “Dollys” who came before she not only
took the role but she ran with it giving off such a believable performance
you’d swear she was the real Dolly. There’s not much more to say except she
gave a performance that seemed more like a veteran actor rather than a high
school student. Two other actors deserving praise are Daniel Rozmajzyl,
playing the part of Cornelius, and Connor McAlevy, playing Barnaby. Both gave
great comedic performances from the their funny opening bit at the beginning
to their actual introduction in the show and their final scenes. The two of
them really livened up the stage. Finally the waiter’s dancing ensemble
deserves great praise for their stunning choreography which much like the rest
of the performances seemed more like a professional team of dancers rather than
a group of high school dancers. So in short it’s well worth it to say
“Hello” to this production of Hello Dolly!
by Jake Andersen of Falls Church
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Feeling alone, feeling blue? Then Dolly’s the perfect person for you! She’ll
find you a mate, and better your fate. The story of the fabulous matchmaker
Dolly Levi was performed by the PVI Players from Paul VI Catholic High School
in their production of Hello, Dolly!
The timeless tale was written by Michael Stewart and first performed in 1964.
As a play, Hello, Dolly!, (formerly known as The Matchmaker) was once the
longest-running play in Broadway history. In the show, Dolly Levi pairs up
three couples, but she also sets herself up with the rich Horace Vandergelder
after deciding she must move on from her late husband. The heavy overtones of
true love resonate with the hearts of today’s modern world.
Paul VI did a fantastic job in interpreting the script and accurately
presented the core meaning of the musical. The environment was used
appropriately throughout to create the world within the show. Overall, it was
a performance worth seeing again.
The lead actress Sean Pugerude did an excellent job in her portrayal of Dolly.
She kept the character believable and lively. The way in which she put a
youthful glow into her acting made Dolly relatable to the audience and loved
by all. The only element that rivaled her acting ability was her amazing
voice. In every song she was in, she stole the show. Her shear power and vocal
control made every song she sung a delightful treat to the audience.
Joey Arzeno may have played a minor role, but he placed a major impact on the
show. As the “Short Boy”, Arzeno demonstrated big talent throughout the show.
He was a triple threat with his hysterical physical comedy, elegant dance
ability, and genuine acting that created truly believable characters. Though
other actors loomed over him, Joey proved that big talent comes in small packages.
The show had many great technical aspects to it that helped the actors shine
bright, literally! The lighting in the show was consistent and spot on
throughout. Though sometimes the sound quality was not perfect, everyone had
no trouble seeing the cast members. The run crew was in full costume as to not
break the illusion of the show. Though at times scene changes were slow, the
improvisation of the actors made the situation funny and special to those
watching.
Hello, Dolly! proved to be a truly inspiring love story that made everyone
laugh with its witty humor and made even the toughest of men cry with its
beautiful depiction of love. Paul VI Catholic High School did an excellent job
making the classic musical personal, entertaining, and unique.
by Jimmy Miller of Falls Church
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Hello Dolly! is musical about a matchmaker (among her many other professions),
Dolly Gallagher Levi, who has been hired to find a suitable wife for the widow
half-millionaire, Horace Vandergelder. She, however, does not need to find him
one, since she has chosen herself as the future Mrs. Vandergelder. However,
she has already picked out a young widow, Irene Molloy, for him and now must
set up a complicated scheme that results in the happiness of everyone, from
Mr. Vandergelder’s neice, to his clerks, and most importantly, to himself.
Paul VI Catholic High School put on this family-friendly, comedic musical and
made it one of the best high school productions I have ever seen. Dolly Levi
was portrayed by a Miss Sean Pugerude and words are almost futile to describe
how excellent she was. The moment she walked onto the stage, there was such an
air of professionalism and elegance that she really was Dolly Levi. Her voice,
line delivery, even the way she walked was perfect for the role. That being
said, the show in its entirety was extremely well casted. Every named
character had a clear understanding of who he or she was in the show and it
came across clearly to the audience.
Dolly was not the only one stealing the show, however. Both Daniel Rozmajzl
and Connor McAlevy, playing Cornelius Hackl and Barnaby Tucker, respectively,
had the audience laughing loudly and obnoxiously from the start-even when
telling us what we were not allowed to do before the show had started. And of
course, there were the dancing waiters who literally made the “Harmonious
Gardens” scene a total work of art. And, most importantly, were the camios by
some older gentlemen, whose dancing skills wowed the audience.
This performance was incredible. It is hard to find a good show that the whole
family can see and still be entertained-but the production by Paul VI was
definitely one of them.
by Kirsten OSullivan of Pope John Paul the Great Catholic High School
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The curtain opens to an early twentieth century town as the Paul VI cast
introduces Dolly Levi through the song “Call on Dolly” as a matchmaker and
meddler and the musical Hello Dolly! begins. The original Broadway show won
ten Tony Awards and when made into a movie was nominated for seven Academy Awards.
Hello Dolly! tells the story of Dolly Gallagher Levi who is employed by Horace
Vandergelder, the half-a-millionaire, in finding him a wife. While setting him
up with women, Dolly is secretly trying to get him for herself. Meanwhile,
Vandergelder’s two clerks decide to close the shop in Yonkers, NY for a day
and travel to New York City. They plan their day through “Put on Your Sunday
Clothes” and say they won’t come home till they have each kissed a girl. The
two clerks, Barnaby and Cornelius, meet Irene Molloy and Minnie Fay while
trying to escape from Vandergelder, who they see in the city. Trying to
pretend they are rich, the two men invite the women to dinner at the most
expensive restaurant in the city, the Harmonia Gardens. Dolly and Horace are
also there, which greatly pleases the waiters as they welcome her with “Hello
Dolly!” Chaos ensues when Vandergelder sees his clerks and much damage is done
to the restaurant.
From the moment Dolly Levi showed herself, she was brought to life with lots
of energy and poise by Sean Pugerude. The first two songs introduced her as a
self-proclaimed meddler which Pugerude did by walking from person to person,
interrupting them to hand out her business card, each different from the one
before. Later, Pugerude displayed Dolly’s emotional side through “Before the
Parade Passes By” in which she decided she was going to stop letting life pass
her by. Pugerude has made everyone fall in love with Dolly so that when she
gets her happy ending with Horace Vandergelder, there was much joy.
The two couples, Barnaby and Minnie Cornelius and Irene Molloy, added comedy
to the show. Although both were not very bold, Barnaby was the even more
timid, as portrayed by Connor McAlevy through his stuttering and jumpiness
while Cornelius (Daniel Rozmajzyl) took the lead in the duo. Minnie (Patty
Kelleher) and Irene (Casey Enochs) were both eager for an adventure with love
as they plotted how they would flirt during the summer. A very comical scene
was “Motherhood March” which was sung by Dolly Levi, Irene, and Minnie to
distract Horace (Mickey Sheridan) from seeing Cornelius and Barnaby who were
hiding in the hat shop of Irene Molloy. There was much commotion going on but
Horace never saw any of it.
Although the leads had lots of energy, there was not much from the ensemble.
There was not much individuality in the ensemble, not distinct characters.
However, during the song “Before the Parade Passes By”, the stage was brought
to life as the ensemble became a group of people marching in a parade,
showcasing a unicyclist, baton twirlers, acrobats, and even the Statue of Liberty.
While the sets were beautiful, the changes between them often took a while.
Even so, the lengthiness of the set changes was less noticeable because the
movers of the set were always in character, even though the stage was dark.
With the beautiful costumes and sets, the beautiful singing and dancing, and
the sounds of the orchestra, the streets of Yonkers, NY and New York City were
brought to life with much energy. The PVI Players, as they call themselves,
did a remarkable job in performing their show, Hello Dolly!
by Ruth Long of Pope John Paul the Great Catholic High School
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Hello Dolly is a musical about a woman named Dolly Levi (Sean Pugerude) who is
a matchmaker, who is trying to get re-married to “Yonkers half-a-millionaire”
Horace Vandergelder (Mickey Sheridan). In her pursuit of Vandergelder she
makes a match of Cornelius (Daniel Rozmajzyl), Vandergelders head clerk, and
Irene Malloy (Casey Enochs), Vandergelder’s fiancé to be.
The Paul VI Players put on a great production of this play. With Pugerude’s
amazing comedic timing and singing, and Enochs’ lovable nature, they could do
no wrong. Rozmajzyl and Connor McAlevy (Barnaby) were an awkward match made in
heaven. The chemistry between Enochs and Rozmajzyl felt so real and committed,
I felt like I was falling in love too. With only a few issues such as very
well lit, long set shifts, and some static emotions from the chorus, this
production will sweep you off your feet. Even though in some songs, characters
with mics over powered the voices of the non-miced characters, it didn’t
matter because the miced characters sounded beautiful. The waiters in Harmonia
Gardens will make you forget you are at the theatre and think you are watching
acrobats at the circus. Their precision and ability to make comedy out of such
amazing moves was brilliant.
by Dean Maldonato of South County Secondary School
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With a title like Hello, Dolly! you can imagine how important it is that the
actor who plays Dolly steals the show with her energy and acting. The Paul the
VI high school actor Sean Pegerude played her part so well that it seemed as
if she belonged on stage at the Kennedy Center.
The musical, Hello, Dolly! follows the story of Dolly, a match-making widow
who is celebrated and much loved wherever she goes. As Dolly meddles in the
lives of the various characters in the musical she is also looking for a match
for herself. This lively musical was a pleasure to watch.
The ensamble was very good, they had energy and knew their music well. The
part of the ensemble that really stuck out most was the waiters. The ensemble
of waiters performed a wonderful dance that combined juggling, ballet and
break dancing flawlessly.
The technical aspects of the show were good, there was no problem hearing the
actors on stage, which was because of their superb projection and the
abilities of the sound crew. Some actors did not have deep characters and the
changes in their characters were not very smooth.
The two shop workers were very vibrant characters and they added a lot of
energy and emotion to the show. It was evident from their announcements at the
begining of the show that they worked together perfectly.
Thanks to the collaboration between all of the actors and tech workers
involved in this show, and the professionalism and superb talent of Sean
Pegerude, Paul VI High School's production of Hello, Dolly! was spectacular.
by Doriana Thornton of Thomas Edison High School
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When you need a girl, or some advice or just simply want to learn how to
dance, Dolly Levi is one to ask! Hello Dolly was an on stage spectacular
performed by the Paul VI players. The musical has been revived many times
since its original 1964 running and was, for a time, the longest running musical.
Dolly Levi (Sean Pugerude) is a jack-of-all-trades widow who has the unique
profession of meddling. She meddles mainly in the tricky and confusing art of
love. She has been thoroughly successful until she meets the mean and
unpleasant half-millionaire, Horace Vandergelder (Mickey Sheridan), who she
sets as a personal goal to marry him purely for his money. While Vandergelder
is in New York, his misfit and lonely clerks, Cornelius and Barnaby, decide to
sneak out and go on an adventure with a dollar and 39 cents, their eyes set to
meet some ladies. They get to New York and right away meet the women hat
storeowners, Irene Malloy (Casey Enochs) and Minnie Fay (Patty Kelleher). All
chaos breaks loose when Vandergelder comes into the store and Cornelius and
Barnaby have to rush and hide and Dolly has to distract the confused
millionaire. Then the hat shop owners and the clerks go on a penny-pinching
escapade to the most expensive restaurant in town and romances ensue.
Sean Pugerude is a masterful artist. Any actress that can sit on the stage
eating chicken for 3 minutes has to have a superior level of talent. As Dolly,
she is comparable to the great Ethel Mermen and Carol Channing with how she
embodied the character and created a whole new life on the stage. Cornelius
(Daniel Rozmajzyl) was an actor who shows pride in what he does and was easy
to follow and easy to watch.
This musical is littered with comical and important supporting roles. Irene
Malloy (Casey Enochs) was charming and interesting. Barnaby (Connor McAlevy)
was comical and funny. Vandergelder (Mickey Sheridan) was strong and
commanding. All-together no complaints.
The ensemble of this performance is mostly impressive by the variety
remarkable things they can do. Backhand springs, juggling, cart wheels,
unicycling just name a few. They were consistently moving and reacting
appropriately.
If you ever need any miscilaneous assisatance, go to Dollly Levi. If you ever
want to see a good show, go to Paul VI High School.
by Harrison Riehle of Thomas Edison High School
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Based on the play "The Matchmaker" by Thornton Wilder, "Hello, Dolly!" first
premiered on Broadway in 1964 and won ten subsequent Tonys. The musical
follows the story of widow-turned-matchmaker Dolly Levi as she tries to
convince her wealthy client to marry her instead. Paul VI High School of
Fairfax, Virginia took on the challenge of producing this classic show with
stunning results.
Starring as the titular character, Dolly Levi, was senior Sean Pugerude.
Pugerude performed flawlessly, wowing the audience with her vocals and keeping
them in stitches with her comedic bits. One would think she was a
professional! Alongside her playing the grumpy widower, Horace Vandergelder,
was fellow senior Mickey Sheridan. Sheridan kept the audience entertained with
his portrayal of a stubborn curmudgeon.
A true treat was the pair of Cornelius Hackl and Barnaby Tucker,
Vandergelder's employees (played by seniors Daniel Rozmajzl and Connor McAlevy
respectively). The two were a constant source of laughs and Rozmajzl
especially dazzled during his solos. Alongside the pair of boys were two
lovely ladies, senior Casey Enochs as the hopeful widow Irene Malloy and
senior Patty Kelleher as her hilarious friend Minnie Fay. The two couples
shone spectacularly throughout the performance with great chemistry, and
Rozmajzi and Enochs harmonized beautifully in the song "It Only Takes A Moment."
Not to be outdone, the ensemble also performed fabulously. Jacob Rozmajzl and
Elinor Curry had great chemistry and were especially funny as Ambrose Kemper
and his fiancée Ermengarde. The waiters at Harmonia Gardens were incredibly
impressive with the complex choreography and short comedic bits.
The tech work was well done. The sets were beautiful and worked well
transitioning between scenes. The colored lights were gorgeous and helped set
the mood for each scene. The costumes were perfect; wonderful
turn-of-the-century outfits on each cast member. Though there were some
problems with the moving of sets and having the microphones on at the right
moment, these issues detracted very little of the performance and were always
swiftly corrected.
Paul VI High School created an exquisite performance and kept the audience
captive and entertained throughout. Their performance truly shone far brighter
than a simple high school performance.
by Jocelyn Griser of Thomas Edison High School
--------------------------------------------------
It only takes a moment to fall in love with Paul VI’s performance of Hello
Dolly. Cheery, bright acting with music that will make you fall in love;
Hello Dolly is a classic. Music and lyrics by Jerry Herman based on The
Merchant of Yonkers written by Thornton Wilder. This sweet, funny, cheerful
musical is a must see.
Hello Dolly tells the tale of an outgoing widow who plays the role of
matchmaker. She has decided that she is going to marry one of her rich
customers. On the side, there is another story of two men who work for the
rich man. They go on an adventure to New York City in hopes of finding a girl
to kiss. It is a musical with fun upbeat music and colorful clothing, almost
impossible to close your eyes.
The leading lady of Hello Dolly is, of course, none other than Dolly Levi,
played by Sean Pugerude. The moment she stepped on stage she captivated the
entire audience. Her portrayal of a chatty, witty, loving Dolly outdid that
of a high school student; whether it was singing, acting, or dancing, she
lived up to the title. Her counterpart, Horace Vandergelder, was played by
Mickey Sheridan. His bitter, mean character played off very well with the
audience and he had great stage chemistry with Dolly.
The other story of the two men, Cornelius (Daniel Rozmajzyl) and Barnaby
(Connor McAlevy) created the most fun moments of Hello Dolly. They were able
to captivate the audience, and make it feel like they were onstage with the
actors dancing and singing during Put on Your Sunday Clothes. And listening
to Cornelius’s heartfelt song It Only Takes a Moment made you think of someone
special the whole time, which made it all the more memorable. The two special
girls who played opposite of them were Irene Malloy (Casey Enochs) a hat
maker, who previously had plans with Mr. Vandergelder, and Minnie Fay (Patty
Kelleher) her assistant. Both had spectacular vocals. Their stage chemistry
together was comical and their chemistry with Cornelius and Barnaby was
romantic. No character went home at the end of the day forgotten.
The ensemble was all-around enjoyable to watch. There were huge smiles all
around. Every single person onstage looked like they were in the happiest
place on earth and one could not help smiling at their enthusiasm. Special
guest appetencies included several adult males in It Takes a Woman and Hello,
Dolly. Let’s be honest; nothing can make you smile more than seeing older men
wearing suspenders singing and dancing.
Overall the pit orchestra did an excellent job having to play throughout the
whole show. The upbeat music kept coming and got more exciting as the musical
progressed. The set at Paul VI was almost out of a childhood dream. It was
colorful and beautifully designed. Scene changes were a bit drawn out, but
they made it fun by putting a small scene between for the audience to watch
instead.
Paul VI’s performance of Hello Dolly surpassed that of a High School
Production. Every musical number brought out all the wonderful aspects of
musical theatre. It really does answer the question “Isn’t the world full of
wonderful things?” Genuine moments like these are hard to come by, but they
let the audience to go home with a memory that can last a lifetime.
by Juliette Cross of Thomas Edison High School
--------------------------------------------------
Holy Cabooses! This memorable line was shrieked out to the audience to
tumultuous laughter. And thus began Paul VI Catholic High School's production
of the hit musical "Hello Dolly!" Opening in 1964 on Broadway and running over
a thousand performances, this classic musical by Jerry Herman has been
charming audiences for over half a century.
The plot revolves around a meddlesome widow named Dolly Levi, who's ambition,
other than to wed the illustrious Horace Vandergelder, is to help others like
herself fall in love. It just so happens that her next costumer is none other
than an employee of Vandergelder's, Cornelius Hackl and his lovable friend,
Barnaby Tucker. With a plan set in her head. She whisks them off to New york
City where they meet the awkward Irene Molloy and her perky friend Minnie Fay.
What follows is a hilarious comedy of errors in which people fall in love,
half-millionares almost get arrested and waiters put on fabulous spectacles in
order to get the attention of Dolly Levi.
Paul VI Catholic High School's production of this hit musical featured a
spectacular, professional-quality performance by Sean Pugerude, who played the
challenging role of one of Braodway's most famous leading roles: Dolly Levi.
Pugerude rose to the challenge and put her heart and soul into her vocal and
dramatic performances, all of which earned her a well-deserved standing ovation.
Also anchoring this school's production were the performances by Daniel
Rozmajzl and Connor McAlevy, who played Cornelius Hackl and Barnaby Tucker,
respectively. These two actors had an amazing chemistry on stage that fueled
their performance, which had the audience rolling in their seats, as well as
the aisles.
The technical aspects of the show were also very entertaining. Despite some
long scene changes, the Paul VI players made up for it by incorporating their
running crew into the ends of scenes, which made the scene changes very
entertaining to watch. All in all, the Paul VI player's production left the
audience going, "Holy Cabosses!" And you know what, "holy cabooses!" pretty
much sums it up.
by Nathan Vasquez of Thomas Edison High School
--------------------------------------------------
The timeless classic, Hello Dolly, is not surprisingly, all about Dolly. See
how Dolly, the matchmaker, arranges a marriage for the half-millionaire Horace
Vandergelder through hilarious dialogue, outrageous choreography and beautiful
songs. The Paul VI’s players show just that.
Hello Dolly is a romantic comedy about young people doing anything they can
for money and love. Dolly is hired to arrange the marriage of Horace
Vandergelder in hopes of secretly winning him herself. Cornelius and Barnaby,
Vandergelder’s workers, are meanwhile planning to escape the environment in
which they live. They set off to New York in hopes of finding wives and
opportunity of becoming rich. A twist arrives as Vandergelder sets off to New
York as well to marry Ms. Molloy, the woman who later falls in love with
Cornelius. Dolly is caught in the middle of all this conflict and it is up to
her to save the day!
Paul VI put on an entertaining show with various comedic scenes with strong
leads, difficult choreography, and excellent pacing. Amazing work went into
making the authentic costumes and outstanding set. Each character provided the
audience with variability in energy making the show very captivating.
Dolly Levi, played by Sean Pugerude, did an outstanding job acting. The
audience could easily grasp the character development she delivered in every
scene. Her comedic sarcasm was very believable and super hilarious. One scene
in particular grasped the audience’s attention as Dolly ate her dinner meal
and then continued eating Mr. Vandergelder’s meal as well. This scene provided
laughter in the theater as the members of the crew set up for the next scene.
Dolly led the people from Yonkers and New York in and out of trouble resulting
in everlasting relationships.
The supporting actors provided so much entertainment throughout the show,
especially the ensemble of Barnaby and Cornelius played by Connor McAlevy and
Daniel Rozmajzyl. They worked very well together and had wonderful chemistry
as they dug for money in their wallets and finished each other’s sentences.
Members of the ensemble could have used more energy, but still maintained
authentic personalities creating the scene needed.
The cast did an excellent job of using the set and props well. Several of the
scene changes could have been a little quicker, but the leads provided the
crowd with alternative entertainment. The execution of light work had
excellent timing and coordination and created great effects for dramatic scenes.
The Paul VI players put on a fun show and executed the essence of the comedy
and romance in Hello Dolly.
by Arami McCloskey of Wakefield High School
--------------------------------------------------
Dolly Levi is the woman of all trades. Though she can do just about
everything, she is specially great at matchmaking. When Horace Vandegeler, the
half-millionare, hires her to arrange his marriage Dolly decides its she who
should be marrying him. On her journey to marry Horace, she helps out many
others doing what she does best, matchmaking.The show opened on Broadway at
the St. James Theater on January 16th, 1964 and for a while held the record
for longest-running Broadway production.
On April 21st, The Paul VI Players presented a hilarious production of Hello
Dolly! With well done and time appropriate costumes, a versatile set and good
energy, the show was a hit with the audience. With a cast as large as the Paul
VI cast, it was expected that having everyone on the stage for the full cast
numbers would be rough, but they proved this expectation wrong. The stage and
space was used very well.
This was a very strong cast, but one cast member who really carried the show
was the leading lady, Sean Pugerude (Dolly). She had wonderful stage presence
and should us a younger side of Dolly. She was a joy to watch and made the
audience laugh. Daniel Rozmajzyl (Cornelius) was another actor who went above
and beyond with his role. His voice was smooth and fluid and he did a good job
in bringing out the age of his character. He and his partner Connor McAlevy
(Barnaby) made a great team. McAlevy was very funny and used his body language
to his advantage!
Though there were some issues with sound and lighting, Paul VI's Hello Dolly
was enjoyable and a good laugh!
by Carla Astudillo of Wakefield High School
--------------------------------------------------
Based on the book "The Matchmaker" by Michael Stewart, Hello Dolly was brought
to the Broadway stage through producer David Merrick's vision in 1964. With
one of the biggest casts I've seen, the PVI Players of Paul VI Catholic High
School put on an outstanding performance. The cast and crew made it very clear
that the audience was in for a fun night.
As the show started, I was immediately captivated by Mrs. Dolly Levi's (Sean
Pugerude) warm smile. Her portrayal of the role was spot on. Also, the
closeness of the lead cast members in "Motherhood March" was evident in the
high energy and funny number. The Best in Ensemble award definitely goes to
Barnaby (McAlevy) and Cornelius (Rozmajzyl) as they worked together to go on
an adventure outside of Yonkers.
Pick a card, any card. Mrs. Dolly Levi (Pugerude) is at your service. Need a
lawyer? You got it. Guitar lessons? Done. Dancing 101? Just call Dolly and
she'll be there right after she gets some answers of her own as to why Mr.
Horace Vandergelder (Mickey Sheridan) refuses to marry her.
Dinner for two at the Harmonia Gardens, please. The Harmonia Gardens acrobatic
waiters will give you some excellent service, no questions asked with lead
waiter and general look alike, Rudolph (Lou Garcia).
Alex Siegal and Andrew Hawkins were very impressive and caught my eye.
Although "Hello, Dolly" was a lovely number, I was a bit disappointed by the
lack of energy and unison with the band.
"It Only Takes a Moment" showed how quickly someone could fall in love
featuring Irene Malloy (Enochs), Minnie Fay (Patty Kelleher), Barnaby, and
Cornelius. Fall in love in an instant but break a girl's heart and we'll be
saying "So Long, Dearie." Mrs. Dolly Levi kept the audience engaged and
laughing the whole night.
Despite some pitch and set change problems, Hello Dolly was a great show with
cohesive lights and an enormous and elaborate set that made the story come to
life. The PVI Players should be very proud of the wonderful show that they
have produced. Job well done.
by Sasha Vasquez of Wakefield High School
--------------------------------------------------
Well, Hello Dolly! This musical is one of Broadway’s best and amazing musical
known to man. Based on the Thorton Wilder play, “The Matchmaker, Hello Dolly,”
is a story of a woman whose job is to find love for her clients but she ends
up finding love for herself. Dolly was first produced on Broadway in 1964,
and closed in 1970 with 2,844 performances, winning a Tony Award for Best
Musical and nine others. This show has hysterical, romantic moments;
especially when two young men are looking for that special gal. This was one
funny, outstanding, remarkable show that impressed everyone in the audience.
The acting was believable, the singing and the dancing was spectacular, props
to the Waiters especially. What was most remarkable was the energy that the
cast had throughout the show, you can see there passion just through there
expressions. They appeared to be having a wonderful time performing the show,
which made the show much more fun to watch.
The cast was led by Sean Pugerude who played Dolly Levi, the lead character.
She proved to the audience that she is a strong actress, a fabulous singer,
and especially her energy was out of this world! She was strong from the start
and finished strong. Pugerude connected with the audience and she knew what
things to bring out and especially her singing. She impressed the audience
when she was on stage, singing, you knew she was singing from her heart. Plus,
there were moments where she played her character really well; I thought for a
second that she was actually Dolly, I applause you Pugerude.
The supporting character proved to be no less strong. All of the actors seemed
to be truly enjoying performing for the audience. The chemistry between
Barnaby (Connor McAlevy) and Cornelius (Daniel Rozmajzyl) was something to
watch. They brought something to the stage that was funny and interesting to
watch. Also Minnie Fay (Patty Kelleher) and Irene Malloy (Casey Enochs) did an
exceptional job. One person who did a phenomenal job Anita Tellez-Mansy, who
played Ernestina, she knew what she was doing. She got into character and the
whole audience seemed to love her. Overall, supporting and ensemble helped to
pull the show together and had an outstanding performance.
The technical crew did a good job. Though there were some microphone glitches
at times, some lighting choices were questionable; the stage crew was barely
discernible as their outfits made them appear to be simply part of the show.
The make-up that was done by Sean Pugerude, Elinor Curry, and Mary Covert
communicated very well on a visual level except the facial hair. Other than
that the make-up brought out the faces of everyone.
Paul VI Catholic High School portrayal of this musical reminds the audience
that there is love for everyone, even if the outcome is not what you expected;
there is that one special person. The things we learn along the way will shape
who we are and who we will become in the future.
by Tyler Lazzari of Wakefield High School
--------------------------------------------------
Dolly Levi has returned to the wonderful town of New York City and Paul VI
high school welcomes her with open arms.
Hello Dolly is a lively and humorous show about a woman named Dolly Levi who
always sticks her nose into other people's business. Dolly is a widow and
firmly believes that she has the power to be the town's matchmaker while she
struggles with trying to find a sign from her dead husband so she can marry
again. Dolly's plan is to marry the Yonkers town grump, Horace Vandergelder.
Vandergelder is a rich man who owns a animal feed shop and has high class and
dignity, which Dolly loves to bring down to size. Working at his store are two
clowns, Barnaby and Cornelius, who long to have adventure and their first kiss
from a girl. Disobeying their boss's order to stay in the store, Barnaby and
Cornelius destroy the shop's cellar and leave for the a day in the Big Apple.
There the lovely widow Ms. Malloy is introduced working at a hat shop she
wishes to escape from and her co-worker and friend, Minnie. Then once again,
Dolly can't but help to get herself involved and try to help Barnab
y and Cornelius get a romantic evening with Ms. Malloy and Mini. From that
moment on, when it seemed like things could not get any worse, it does.
Paul VI's Hello Dolly was so detail oriented it seemed like watching a dance
recital instead of a play. Their wonderful ways of incorporating acrobatics in
the restaurant scene in act two to the chaotic song of the Motherhood March
all tied itself together with ease and class. Sean Pugerude (Dolly) had this
aura around her every time she set foot on the stage. Her character of Dolly
was portrayed beautifully and at times it seemed she was a professional actor
instead of a high school senior. Daniel Rozmajzl (Cornelius) was adorable to
watch while humorous with the help of Connor McAlevy (Barnaby). Rozmajzl and
McAlvey were the dynamic duo in the show. Showing their character's yearning
for adventure and love, with a mix of comedy on the side, Rozmajzl and McAlevy
were the perfect team. Before the performance even began, Rozmajzl and McAlevy
gave the safety rules while in character. It was charming and unbelievably
entertaining.
The chorus in Paul VI's show was alert, focused and in character throughout
the entire performance. At times it was hard to understand them through the
live band and lead’s microphones, but the chorus kept on smiling and pulled it
through. The make-up in the show was spot on for the time period, however
there was some difficulty in matching facial hair to the actor's actual hair.
The lighting in the show was used accurately to give the set and actors the
main focus, but there were at times confusion of what time of day it was.
Hello Dolly is a fun and animated show, and high school Paul VI did a
miraculous job. Each character had their own unique background throughout the
performance and the audience never wanted to say "Goodbye Dolly".
by Devyn Nelson of West Springfield High School
--------------------------------------------------
No one likes a meddler but sometimes you need one to push you to do things you
wouldn’t normally do.
Dolly Gallagher Levi is a meddler but likes to call herself a matchmaker. Her
greatest matchmaking job comes when Horace Vandergelder, a half- millionaire,
is looking for a wife. He wants her to find him a wife but she has different
plans when she comes to the conclusion that they would be the perfect match
for each other. Meanwhile Vandergelder’s employees Cornelius and Barnaby
decide to sneak off to the big city while he is away. They are looking for
adventure and maybe even a first kiss. They run into Irene Molloy and Minnie
Fay at their hat shop and finding out Vandergelder is sitting just outside the
hat shop, all goes crazy from here on out. "Hello, Dolly" is a story filled
with romance and comedy as well as a great central meaning. "Money is like
manure. It's not worth anything unless it's spread around encouraging young
things to grow" as Dolly's late husband would say.
Paul IV’s production of “Hello, Dolly” was filled with exceptional singers,
perfect timing and high energy.
Dolly Levi played by Sean Pugerude took the stage with her presence and even
on a bare stage, took command of it all. Her stunning voice and facial
expressions captured the audience and kept a smile on their faces. Daniel
Rozmajzl who played Cornelius Hackel brought great realism to his character
and his comedic timing was spot on. His partner Barnaby, played by Connor
McAlevy, brought spot on comedic timing as well and his exaggerated facial
expressions fit the character perfectly.
Irene Malloy played by Casey Enochs had a sweet, tender voice and her vibrato
in “Ribbons Down My Back” soothed the audience. Her co-worker Minnie Fay,
played by Patty Kelleher, had huge facial expressions that always brought a
laugh to the audience. Though there were times in the large group numbers that
some stood out as too focused on the dancing but the waiter number was so
professionally executed. The large group numbers also brought a sense of
community on the stage as each cast member mingled around with each other and
developed where they fit in the community Yonkers.
The sound in the whole entire show was very well done and the lighting was
spot on. The make up on all the characters where age appropriate but there
were some facial add-ons that stood out. The stage crew and cast did a great
job with smooth transitions though some could have been sped up.
“Hello, Dolly” was such a stunning performance and the whole entire cast did a
magnificent job executing such a beloved show.
by Erin Boyer of West Springfield High School
--------------------------------------------------
“It’s so nice to have you back where you belong,” in the audience of Paul VI
Catholic School’s endearing production of Hello Dolly.
Iconic to American theatre, Hello Dolly is well known across American stages
as a heartwarming classic. Written by Jerry Herman, this musical opened in
1964 and went on to in many theatrical awards, including best musical. Quickly
rising to the top in musical theatre, Hello Dolly became one of the longest
running shows in Broadway history. Herman forged several genuine relationships
within the musical, all of them adorable in their own manner. Dolly Levi takes
on the role of matchmaker, sometimes meddling a bit too much in other peoples’
business. Throughout Yonkers, NY and The Big Apple, this beautiful and
sensational musical clearly demonstrates how “it only takes a moment” to fall
in love.
Paul VI offered an unmatched energy, as each character was clearly defined and
energized from opening to closing. The cast rarely dropped focus proving their
prowess as actors, never detracting from scene and always adding to it. The
ensemble brought New York to life and crafted a realistic atmosphere.
Sean Pugerude (Dolly Levi) forged the most impressive character on the stage.
Her comedic timing and realistic attributes crystallized the ideal Dolly, and
the audiences easily fell in love with her, as they eagerly awaited every
entrance. Acting impeccably she carried the show with her easy demeanor,
moreover her voice sent shivers down the spine during such numbers as “Before
the Parade Passes By.” Daniel Rozmajzkl and Connor McAlevy (Cornelius and
Barnaby) demonstrated dramatic foils as Rozmajzkl crafted an endearing
character, full of emotion and sincerity, while remaining older and serious.
McAlevy contrastingly formed a dorky young character, that the audience easily
fell in love with, and adorably captured the stage. Their respective romantic
interests Casey Enochs and Patty Kelleher (Irene and Minnie) were the other
half of the wonderful love interests, simply charming.
The Waiters of the Harmonia Gardens were incredible in their delightful dance.
Flips, flops, somersaults, and hand stands, they easily stole the stage. One
waiter Kayla Sharpe easily overtook the others in constant characterization
and impressive acrobatics. They made the show as the audience was thoroughly
impresses as gasps accompanied each new dance sequence. Equally impressive,
the high school students worked well with the adults who were added to the
numbers, such as “Hello Dolly” and “It Takes a Woman. “ On that note, the
musical numbers were intricate and included strong harmonic quality and
devotion to character. One song rose above the rest, as Pugerude led Rozmajzkl
and McAlevy in the impressive musical feat “Motherhood March.”
The show’s technical staff impressively improved focus, notably the lighting
crew, whose mood lighting and spotting were well done. The stage crew worked
valiantly to keep the complex scene changes swift and quiet.
With devoted characters, strong vocals, and impressive dancing, Hello Dolly at
Paul IV High School was beautiful and truly a work of art. It is strongly
recommended that you “put on your Sunday clothes” and see this stunning
production of Hello Dolly.
by John D'Angelo of West Springfield High School
--------------------------------------------------
It only took a moment for Paul VI’s production of Hello, Dolly to steal the
audience’s hearts. The ensemble’s colorful costumes took their breath away
from the very second that the cast danced onstage, and the joyful chorus of
the opening number ringing out from the orchestra pit transported them to a
different, more innocent time.
Sean Pugerude, playing the role of Dolly, filled the auditorium with her
extremely mature and professional presence from the moment she stepped
onstage. Her ability to play a woman far older than her was astounding, and
this character was never broken. The interactions she had with other
characters were easy and natural, her singing voice powerful, and she played
the rather enigmatic character flawlessly.
Perhaps the most pleasant surprise this show presented was that Pugerude was
not a diamond in the rough – rather, she was a diamond in a sea of gems.
Daniel Rozmajzl and Connor McAlevy, playing the roles of Cornelius Hackl and
Barnaby Tucker, respectively, were immediate audience favorites with their
witty back-and-forths and obvious comfort onstage. With the addition of Casey
Enochs and Patty Kelleher playing Irene Molloy and Minnie Fay opposite them,
the four made a charming ensemble, fit for a professional production of the show.
While the school used much outside help with the show, including professional
sets, costumes, and choreography, it was clear that this was not a way to
cover up the department’s weaknesses, but an attempt to create the most
pleasing combination of variables possible. The beautiful sets and costumes
created stage pictures that only enhanced the actors’ talents.
Congratulations to the cast and crew of Paul VI’s "Hello, Dolly!" for putting
on a show that reached a level that high school theatre departments rarely
reach. All in the audience that night felt the magic coming from the stage and
were happy to have witnessed such a masterpiece. Hopefully everyone kept their
programs so that years from now they’ll see these young actors and actresses
names up in lights and be able to say, “I saw them in a wonderful production
of "Hello, Dolly!." Just look at them now!”
by Maeve Nash of West Springfield High School
--------------------------------------------------
The stage of Paul VI Catholic High School has been turned into a big, grand
theatre in their production of "Hello, Dolly!"
"Hello, Dolly!" opened on Broadway on January 16, 1964 with Carol Channing. It
was made into a movie in 1969 and had a revival in 1975 with Pearl Bailey.
Dolly Levi (Sean Pugerude) is the best matchmaker in Yonkers, New York. She
ends up falling in love herself with Horace Vendergelder (Mickey Sheridan) who
is engaged to Irene Malloy (Casey Enochs). Dolly successfully convinces
Vendergelder to call off the engagement and arranges a match with Irene and
Vendergelder's store clerk Cornelius (Daniel Rozmajzyl). By the end of the
story Dolly and Vendergelder end up together.
The teamwork of this cast and crew brought the production of "Hello, Dolly!"
to life. Each member played a vital role in telling the story of Dolly Levi.
Sean Pugerude showed a great deal of talent in her role of Dolly, never once
breaking character and always having a smile on her face. She had the presence
of a middle-aged woman and yet was still full of energy that brought
excitement to the show. Mickey Sheridan was very believable as the grumpy
curmudgeon Vendergelder. He had a voice completely realistic to a middle-aged
man and brought enough scorn to give his character humor.
Daniel Rozmajzyl and Connor McAlevy worked as a pair in showing the comedy of
the two goofy store clerks Cornelius and Barnaby. They used large, animated,
over-the-top movements, never standing still for a second . Casey Enochs was
excellent in her role of Irene. She had a charming style and natural acting
that made this character enchanting. Even though the entire cast did a good
job, a couple of actors had trouble projecting.
With the exception of mild technical mishaps with the sound, the tech work of
the show was just as good as the acting. Three parts in particular were the
costumes, sets and stage crew. The bright and colorful costumes gave each
character their own personality. Dolly had a big, red, sparkling dress that
showed dignity and pride. Vendergelder had a gray suit with a top hat that
showed wealth and arrogance. The sets brought the stage of Paul VI back to old
town America. Most impressive was the stage crew that consisted of the show's
actors running the scene changes smoothly while remaining in character to
entertain the audience.
Paul VI proved that they "got elegance" in this superb production of "Hello,
Dolly!" There's no doubt about it, it is a perfect match for everyone.
by Michael Willson of West Springfield High School
--------------------------------------------------
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