Sandi Patty triumphs as 'Dolly'

Best known as a Christian and gospel music singer, Sandi Patty crossed over triumphantly to The Great White Way in Jerry Herman’s Hello, Dolly!, Sunday,at the Palladium in Carmel.

Presented by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, under principal pops conductor Jack Everly, the world premiere of this concert stage production also starred Tony Award-winning Gary Beach as Horace Vandergelder.

Hello, Dolly!, as part of the ISO’s Printing Partners Pops Series with Ty Johnson as its executive producer and David Levy as its director, was also presented Friday and Saturday at the Hilbert Circle Theater in downtown Indianapolis.

Looking every inch a Broadway star, Patty (who said she was inspired by Shirley Booth’s Dolly Levi in The Matchmaker, the film that the stage musical is based on) made Dolly Levi her own. Concentrating on her character’s motherly and nurturing qualities, she was less flamboyant than Carol Channing, who originated the role on Broadway, and Barbra Streisand’s Dolly Levi in the film version. Adding to her fine characterization was Patty’s spectacular soprano voice, celebrated for its purity of tone, lyrical quality and expressiveness.

Broadway veteran, Beach, played well opposite his co-star, showing considerable comic talent as Horace Vandergelder, a cranky and easily manipulated store owner who Dolly sets her sights on as a potential husband once she decides to match make on her own behalf.

A tremendous, triple-threat supporting cast, all of whom gave outstanding individual performances, included Ben Crawford as Cornelius, James T. Lane as Barnaby, Laura Shoop as Mrs. Malloy, Christina Bianco as Minnie Fay, Gwendolyn Jones as Ernestina Money, Robin Leigh Massie as Ermengarde, Matt Branic as Ambrose, Mark Gilgallon as Rudy and Frances Heavrin as Mrs. Rose.

Also featured was a large chorus of multi-talented performers, many of whom appeared recently in A Yuletide Celebration, the ISO’s annual holiday show.

Much more than the usual concert stage production, in which performers sing and read their lines from books (which were actually used infrequently), this presentation of Hello, Dolly! was much more than expected. Dressed in designer Clare Henkel’s eye-popping, brightly-hued costumes, Patty and company were dazzling as they performed handily within a very compact area in front of the orchestra, which was magnificent as always.

Highlights of the production were the usual suspects – those splashy production numbers that always make a musical exciting and memorable. In this case, they were Put on Your Sunday Clothes and a spectacular Before the Parade Passes By, a most effective showcase for more of Henkel’s elaborate costumes.

As far as spectacles are concerned, there was none greater than the one devised for the show’s title song, Hello, Dolly!. Dressed in a red gown with matching plume headdress, Patty as Dolly made her highly anticipated entrance from the wings to center stage. Framed by a chorus of dancer/singers dressed as waiters, she was serenaded. 

Soon they were joined by 40 plus members of the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus. Also playing waiters, the singers entered above the stage and took up a row in the chorus section while others came through the house doors and stood single-file in the aisles.

Together with those on stage, they all sang to the show’s lead character. It was a grand and joyous theatrical moment for a surprised audience enveloped in song.

For information about upcoming Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra performances, call the Hilbert Circle Theater box office at (317) 639-3800 or visit www.indianapolissymphony.org.