WCT’s “Matchmaker” Lights A Spark

“06880” culture correspondent Robin Moyer Chung writes:

How prescient and timely is Westport Community Theatre’s “The Matchmaker,” a comedy about an egotistic wealthy businessman who is outmaneuvered by those over which he assumes superiority?

Written by Thornton Wilder in 1954, “The Matchmaker” inspired the beloved musical “Hello, Dolly!.” Aside from knocking out a few ancillary characters and throwing in a brilliant score, the musical adheres closely to his original script (itself a rewrite of his earlier work, “The Merchant of Yonkers,” 1938).

Set in 1880 Yonkers and New York City, the story follows Dolly Levi, a widowed matchmaker hired by shop owner and curmudgeon Horace Vandergelder to find him a young wife. Instead, she decides to marry him herself (and put his money to good use), then tricks him into thinking it was his idea.

Lucy Babbitt as Dolly Levi.

First, a word about WCT.

Community theater is different from other theaters. It exists purely for the love of theater and for those devoted to creating and sustaining it. There’s no paycheck, and little glory beyond the applause of an audience that adores theater as much as they do.

Sometimes a show is great; sometimes not so much. But for $30 you can support Westport, see a culturally significant show, and become a thread in the fabric of what makes this town exceptional.

As well, you can witness the hidden talents of neighbors such as commercial real estate investor Ari Benmosche as Malachi Stack, who delivers a delicious soliloquy eulogizing the merits of enjoying only one vice at a time.

WCT’s production is crisp and energetic and, though written more than 70 years ago, sounds fresh and modern. In fact, some of Vandergelder’s lines elicited shocked gasps from the audience: “Marriage is a bribe to make a housekeeper think she’s a householder.” It is a testament to a brilliant character, when one who asserts a smattering of offensive quips and we still like him.

Emily Roberson-Dos Santos and Henry Durham.

Standout performances by Lucy Babbit (Dolly Gallagher Levi) and Patrick Spaulding (Horace Vandergelder), along with their deft handling of Wilder’s sharp dialogue, create a briskly paced show despite several lengthy set changes.

Rick Stewart (Joe Scanlon and Joe the Cabman) delights as Vandergelder’s exasperated barber.

The only thing … perhaps our dear Thornton wasn’t subjected to many tantrums in his life, which may explain why he made Ermengarde (Vandergelder’s lovestruck niece) so whiny. The first time was amusing; then, well, not so much.

You’re welcome to disagree.

(“06880” covers every aspect of Westport’s cultural landscape, from community theater and music to a weekly online art gallery. Like many arts groups, we rely on your support. Please click here. Thx!”