Hello, Dolly! (musical)

Hello, Dolly! (musical)
source
Name	Hello, Dolly!
Music	Jerry Herman
Lyrics	Jerry Herman
Book	Michael Stewart
Basis	Thornton Wilder's play The Matchmaker
Productions	1964 Broadway
Awards	10 Tony Awards

Hello, Dolly! (musical) is a landmark American musical theatre production with music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and a book by Michael Stewart. It is based on Thornton Wilder's 1954 play The Matchmaker, which itself was a revision of his earlier work. Premiering on Broadway in 1964, the musical became a massive commercial and critical success, renowned for its exuberant score, lavish production, and iconic central performance.

Background and creation

The musical's origins trace back to producer David Merrick, who acquired the rights to Thornton Wilder's farce The Matchmaker. Merrick initially approached Jerry Herman and Michael Stewart to collaborate, following their work on Carnival!. The creative team transformed the source material, shifting the focus to the meddlesome Dolly Gallagher Levi and expanding her character. Gower Champion was hired as director and choreographer, bringing a distinct visual style to the production. The score by Jerry Herman included several songs that would become standards, developed during out-of-town tryouts in Detroit and Washington, D.C..

Synopsis

Set in New York City at the turn of the 20th century, the story follows the formidable widow and professional matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi. She is hired by the wealthy Yonkers hay-and-feed merchant Horace Vandergelder to find him a wife, though she secretly intends to marry him herself. The plot intertwines with the adventures of Vandergelder's clerks, Cornelius Hackl and Barnaby Tucker, who sneak off to New York City for a night of adventure. There, they romance milliner Irene Molloy and her assistant Minnie Fay, leading to a series of comedic misunderstandings, culminating in a chaotic scene at the Harmonia Gardens Restaurant.

Musical numbers

The score by Jerry Herman is celebrated for its memorable melodies and brassy orchestrations. The first act includes songs such as "I Put My Hand In," "It Takes a Woman," and "Put On Your Sunday Clothes." The second act features the rousing title number, "Hello, Dolly!," along with "Before the Parade Passes By" and the romantic ballad "It Only Takes a Moment." The orchestration was primarily handled by Philip J. Lang, and the overture became a signature piece for the show. The music incorporates styles ranging from ragtime to vaudeville, evoking the period setting.

Productions

The original Broadway production, directed by Gower Champion, opened at the St. James Theatre on January 16, 1964, starring Carol Channing as Dolly. It was a tremendous hit, running for 2,844 performances. A West End production opened in 1965 at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane starring Mary Martin. Notable subsequent Broadway revivals have featured stars like Pearl Bailey, Betty Grable, Phyllis Diller, and more recently Bette Midler and Bernadette Peters. The 1969 film adaptation directed by Gene Kelly starred Barbra Streisand and featured Louis Armstrong's famous recording of the title song.

Critical reception and legacy

Upon its premiere, critics praised the musical's energy, Gower Champion's choreography, and Carol Channing's performance. Walter Kerr of the New York Herald Tribune and Howard Taubman of The New York Times offered positive reviews. The show is considered a classic of the Golden Age of Broadway, known for its spectacular production numbers and enduring score. It has influenced subsequent musical theatre and remains a popular choice for professional and amateur productions worldwide. The title song has been covered by numerous artists, including Louis Armstrong, whose version topped the Billboard charts.

Awards and honors

The original production was a major winner at the 18th Tony Awards, setting a record by winning ten Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Jerry Herman won for Best Original Score, Michael Stewart for Best Book of a Musical, and Gower Champion for both Best Choreography and Best Direction of a Musical. Carol Channing won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. The show also received the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Musical in 1964.

Category:American musicals