Hello, Dolly! at Tacoma Musical Playhouse is visually impressive, and Director/ Choreographer Jon Douglas Rake got some amazing dance moves out of his cast. The play, by Michael Stewart with music and lyrics by Jerry Herman, is based on Thornton Wilder's The Matchmaker. Of course, many people are familiar with the film version of Hello, Dolly!, starring Barbra Streisand.

Centered on Mrs. Dolly Gallagher Levi, "a woman who arranges things," the theatrical effort gracing the Tacoma Musical Playhouse stage, much as you'd expect, follows Dolly as she meddles in people's relationships while trying to marry Horace Vandergelder, "the half millionaire."

All the actors do a fine job with facial expression, gesture, singing and dancing. However, had the leads, Dianne Bozzo (Dolly) and Dan Engelhard (Vandergelder) exuded a little more energy and chemistry they might not have been (albeit slightly) upstaged by Matt Posner (Cornelius Hackl), Brad Walker (Barnaby Tucker), Danielle Krehbiel (Minnie Fay), Leischen Moore (Irene Malloy) and the ensemble.

The most enjoyable part of the show comes during Act 2, Scene 2, with the beautiful choreography and skillful dancing from the waiters at Harmonia Gardens Restaurant. Will Abrahamse, the theater's technical director, created an incredible set for Harmonia Gardens with a large staircase center stage, rich colors and curtained dining booths that gave some of the bits of business a Laugh-In quality (in a good way).  

Joan Schlegel, resident costume designer, created an amazing look for all the actors. Every costume was perfect, and the spats on all the shoes were a great touch. Dolly's costumes were all wonderful but her gorgeous dress and elaborate hat in Act 2 were the most stunning.

Lighting Designer John Chenault added to the beautiful spectacle with a well-done lighting design. Chenault makes especially good use of a gobo (special filter) to create a jail cell in Act 2, Scene 3.

Musicals, by nature, depend on the audience being able to hear. While it was difficult to make out the lyrics over the beautiful orchestration, thankfully, the other sound issues were corrected by the middle of Act 1. Even with the visually appealing sets, costumes, lighting and an incredible supporting cast, the lack of energy from the leads coupled with sound issues kept the play from being outstanding.

Hello, Dolly!
Through May 29, 8 p.m. Friday– Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday–Sunday, $18–$25, Tacoma Musical Playhouse, 7116 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.565.6867