You might call Lake George Dinner Theatre “throwback theatre” -or “survivor theater.”
Today a bulk of audiences prefer 90-minute works performed without an intermission. There is also a taste for dark plays that speak to social issues of the world in which we live.
You don’t get that at a typical dinner theater. Indeed, in the last half-century, the term dinner theater has become a negative punch line implying low quality mindless entertainment. None of those preconceptions relate to the Lake George Dinner Theater company. They appeal to the crowd that loves good theater, but prefers work that permits you get away from the problems of the world.
They must be doing something right. This is the 55th season for the dinner company, most of which were at Holiday Inn Resort in Lake George. Consider that when the concept of dinner theater was at the height of its popularity in the 1970s and 80s, there were 176 Equity theaters operating throughout the country.
Today Lake George Dinner Theatre is one of only 9 dinner theaters that still employ professional actors.
They produce light-hearted work and use young, skilled actors rather than performers who only have name recognition.
As producing-artistic director Jarel Davidow says, their goal is simply to offer an audience a relaxed night that includes a fun play, preceded by a good dinner, all at an affordable price. And, yes, though the plays rarely run more than two hours, there is an intermission.
“It’s one-stop shopping,” he continues. He says, “We offer a pleasant, well-acted play and an excellent dinner for a little more than you pay for an equivalent dinner in some other area restaurants.”
Indeed, during our recent telephone interview, the theater director spent as much time on the food as the show. He explains: “You can’t be excellent in only one area. People come here for the complete package.” He is especially excited about the food because of a new chef. People are raving about the food as much as they are about the play,” he says.
Their approach for the four evening dinner shows and the three weekly matinee performances is a “keep it simple stupid” concept. The three course meal has only four choices - medallions of beef, glazed salmon, chicken piccata and vegetarian pasta. It includes a salad, vegetable of the day, dessert, coffee or tea.
The on stage choices are just as basic. This year’s offering is “First Night” by Jack Neary, a prolific writer-actor-producer who has been quoted describing his talent as a writer as “one who knows what to give actors and how to sell an audience.” He proved he was not boasting when Lake George produced one of his 34 published plays in 2019. “Jerry Finnegan‘s Sister” was a huge hit for the company,
This year’s offering sounds as if it’s a variation on the same theme. “Jerry Finnegan’s Sister” dealt with a young man who, over decades, could not tell a girl he loved her. That is until she agrees to marry another man.
“First Night” takes place on New Year’s Eve, 1985. Danny Fleming is working at a video store feeling like a failure and a man who has lost his dreams. Unexpectedly, his old girlfriend walks into the store. Except the girl he loved, Meredith O’Connor, is now Sister Meredith-Louise.
Davidow, who is directing the work raves about the play calling it “sweet and charming.” Indeed, he feels especially fortunate with his cast. Because of COVID he cast over Zoom. He is amazed that choosing actors he never met in person turned out so well. “Individually each is a talented actor. But what is also important in “First Night” is the two actors must have chemistry. They clicked from the first rehearsal.”
He thinks having “First Night” set in the 80s is both nostalgic and a comfortable return to simpler times for an audience. It was a time when people wanted romance when going to the theater. No wonder it was an era when dinner theaters flourished.
If you enjoy those traits, “First Night” plays through October 8 at the Holiday Inn Resort in Lake George.
For evening performances Wednesdays-Saturday, doors open at 6 p.m., show starts at 7:30 p.m. Matinees are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Doors open at 11:30 a.m., show at 1 p.m.
For tickets, or group sales discounts call 518-668-5762. Ext 411, or go to lakegeorgedinnertheatre.org
Bob Goepfert is theater reviewer for the Troy Record.
The views expressed by commentators are solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the views of this station or its management.
