Schenectady Light Opera

«Legally Blond» I’d seen the movie several times, but this was a first for me. Same plot overall, great casting, very good talent. But, as usual, the sound needed help. The band at times overwhelmed the speaking/​singing actors, and sometimes it was just too hard to discern what the actors were saying. Best row is «E» because the row «D» is down about 6 inches, so you don’t have to look around others’ heads.

I love community performing arts so naturally I enjoy SLOC. The space is well adapted for performance and the house is reasonably comfortable and suited for easy viewing from most seats. The producers work really hard to get a strong cast together. The general weakness I’ve notice for them (and most community theater groups) is dancing… they all need more lessons.
My only gripe: the time of the shows. It would be so much better if shows started at 7pm 9rather than 8pm) so that theater goers would have the opportunity to go out for a drink or dinner in Schenectady after the show. We sadly discovered that everything within walking distance is closed in Schenectady besides Pinhead Susan’s and Bombers (neither of which were/​are my thing) was closed. This would be a win-​win for SLOC performers and patrons and the businesses around the theater.

I’m a huge proponent of local theater, so maybe that makes me a little biased here. I’ve been going to SLOC productions for years, and I’m almost always satisfied. The theater itself is housed in an old synagogue.
I hadn’t been to a play here, however, in a few years until the other night. I’m a big fan of French cabaret musicians like Jacques Brel and was quite excited to see that SLOC was doing the musical revue, «Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris.»
The show was set up cabaret-​style, with tables instead of theater seats and a little fruit-​and-​cheese platter for each table. Each ticket was redeemable for a glass of wine or soda too, which I thought was kind of cute.
The production was good, but it wasn’t great. The acting and music was done well, but I thought it should have been a larger cast to really create a fuller, more theatrical sound. Still, it was an enjoyable night out and I’m happy to see local theater being kept alive. I’d like to see some more younger people in the audience though — I’d hate to think such a great tradition will die out with our elders.
Prices for shows at SLOC are, of course, much lower than, say, Proctors, but they’re also lower than some of the other local theater companies. They also do a lot of kids’ programming, which is a nice way to get the youngsters into it. I’m subtracting a star for the crappy parking lot.