The cast was fine. The Jerry Herman score still thrills and hums along. Dolly is bigger than life. In a small cast, with minimal sets, the grandness of Dolly is lost. Pleasant and enjoyable -- but Dolly coming back after a long absence should be a big deal. In this production, it is not.
Faith Prince will hopefully take the role on Broadway to celebrate 50 years and be surrounded by waiters (lots of waiters) who revive Dolly from the dried up oak leaf that became her life.
Opel is fine -- but Dolly requires a level of dynamism; it is why Channing owned the role. Why Pearl Bailey and Ethel Merman could fill-in.
This is an ordinary pleasant production: Dolly must be extraordinary.