'Hello, Dolly' at Light Opera Works: This 'Dolly' hits all the high notes
THEATER REVIEW: “Hello, Dolly!” ★★★ Through Jan. 2 at the Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson St., Evanston; running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes; tickets $32-$92 at 847-869-3000 or www.lightoperaworks.com.
To do justice to Dolly Gallagher Levi, that ever-optimistic "meddler in life," you've really got to have a hunger for the gal. I suspect Mary Robin Roth — one of Chicago's premiere musical-comedy artists and an actress who has done so many versions of "Nunsense," I half expected her Dolly to come out in a habit — was determined to play this role in her hometown before the proverbial parade passed her by.
Good for her. She surely embraces every outrageous costume, outre wig, truism, business card and, indeed, every last theatrical moment. Thus, she propels the joyous spirit of Rudy Hogenmiller's wholly entertaining and clearly crowd-pleasing Light Opera Works production. This is a role that risks a dizzyingly intimidating collection of comparatives on both the vocal and comedic fronts. You might say that Roth is a very respectable all-rounder, and one who hits a home run when it comes to that crucial intangible of active, passionate joy.
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