REVIEW: Starlight’s “Hello Dolly’ worth greeting

The multiple Tony Award-winning musical continues its three-week run through Sept. 5. Shows are 8 p.m. Thursdays to Sundays.

Starlight’s version is filled with memorable songs, fantastic dances and a lot more comedic moments than the 1969 movie.

The title character, Dolly Levi, is ably portrayed by Melinda Gilb, who along with the male lead, Douglas Bilitch (who plays Horace Vandergelder), are American Actor’s Equity members.

Many of the cast’s other 30 members have San Diego ties, according to the program.

Combined, the 32 performers and 10 musicians provide two-and-a-half hours of non-stop entertainment. Exceptions are the 20-minute intermission and, of course, multiple on-stage freezes in action and dialogue as airplanes heading into Lindbergh Field fly over the outdoor theater.

The musical, set in Yonkers and New York City at the turn of the 20th century, revolves around the professional matchmaking (and countless other skills) of Dolly, a widow who has set her sights on marrying Horace, a wealthy hay-and-feed merchant.

Though appearing to be arranging a marriage between Horace and widowed hat maker Irene Malloy (played by Alexis Grenier Zimmerman), it becomes evident the match will soon be torpedoed.

The weapon of choice for Dolly is using Horace’s two naive store clerks, Cornelius Hackl (Ryan Fahey) and Barnaby Tucker (Clay Stefanki), whose unexpected visit to New York make Horace doubt Irene’s sincerity in marrying him.

As Irene admits to her assistant, Minnie Fay (whose portrayal by Karla Ruth Gilbert is scene-stealing, especially in the hat shop during the first act), Irene does not love Horace, but wants marriage so she can leave the hat making business.

During the scenes that mostly span one day, Dolly is also trying to persuade Horace to let his 17-year-old niece, Ermengarde (Sydney Blair), marry the man she loves, Ambrose Kemper (Jeremy Shull), an artist whom Horace views as incapable of financial security.

The ensemble takes on multiple roles as townspeople, parade participants and waiters, the latter whose high-energy dance during the Harmonia Gardens restaurant scene make the musical’s title song, “Hello, Dolly!” memorable and worthy of applause.

Among other notable scenes are “It Takes a Woman” sung and danced by Horace, Cornelius, Barnaby and ensemble. Listen closely to the lyrics, which are a comedic bundle of contradictions.

The actors’ good physical comedy and timing contribute to many of the laughs, along with the script’s wording.

At the Aug. 20 performance, there were a few technical glitches. There was a vibrating sound from the orchestra during the overture and a couple of occasions when Gilb’s strong, belting voice faded in and out due to microphone problems.

It is advisable to arrive early due to limited nearby parking (the theater is between San Diego Air & Space Museum and Municipal Gym off Presidents Way), bring a jacket or blanket, perhaps a seat cushion and watch for The Red Box’s appearances on stage.

The box has appeared in every Starlight show since the first production in 1946. When “The Mikado” had a successful performance to a sold-out crowd, its superstitious producer declared the box must appear in all subsequent shows for good luck, according to the program.

Tickets are $10-$75, with children 12 and under admitted for free (with a paid adult) on Thursdays and Sundays. For tickets, go to www.starlighttheatre.org or call 619-232-7827 from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Starlight Musical Theatre is at 2005 Pan American Plaza in Balboa Park.