Good meals, lighthearted theatre makes Lake George Dinner Theatre summer season enjoyable

At some locations, just like the Lake George Dinner Theatre, the enjoyment you get is larger than the sum of its components.

Operating out of the Holiday Inn in Lake George, the group is now in its 58th season. Clearly, they know what their viewers desires they usually give it to them. What regulars need is an efficient meal and lighthearted leisure that comes at a good value. This yr, with the simplistic “Two Guys On Ice” they as soon as extra fill that expectation.

The meals decisions are hen, pork, salmon and a vegetarian pasta. At my desk of seven solely the pasta went untried. All discovered their particular person meal, that began with a salad and ended with chocolate layer cake, past passable. My Chicken Francaise was a thick hen breast with a flavorful sauce . However, it’s a leap to name it Francaise. My two companions loved their bone-in pork chops. The facet dishes had been tasty, however the presentation was pure artwork; nearly hesitated to eat it.

As for the two-hour present? “Two Guys on Ice” is troublesome to outline. Probably simply saying it’s about two middle-age guys hanging out in a heated fishing hut on a lake in Wisconsin speaking about fishing, the Green Bay Packers and their issues with ladies describes what to anticipate.

I’ll add that the primary two dialogue gadgets clarify the third. Lloyd is having hassle along with his spouse as a result of he’d quite spend their marriage ceremony anniversary with the blokes at a Packer sport than together with her. On the opposite hand, the one manner Marvin goes to get a date with Bonnie, the checkout lady on the grocery store, is to attain a few tickets to a Packers’ sport.

If I’m providing a spoiler to the present, then beware. This is as deep because it will get. If you suppose I’m exaggerating, a really humorous sudden second has Ernie, the Moocher doing a kick dance whereas taking part in “ What’s Mine is Yours” on an accordion.

Oh yeah, that is additionally a musical. Most songs are merely tunes that substitute dialogue. Others, like the beautiful “Everything is New” exhibits Trevor Bunce as Lloyd to have a terrific singing voice. Meanwhile, “De King” provides Tom Staggs, who brings woeful comedian density to Marvin, a chance to do an amazing tackle Elvis. Throughout the efficiency Musical director and choreographer John Benware does a stable, unobtrusive job accompanying them on piano.

Playwright James Kaplan doesn’t a lot know what to do with the Mooch. However, director Jarel Davidow makes use of Dayle Vander Sande’s profitable character to get laughs with an viewers participation quiz present, that has all questions based mostly on Wisconsin tradition – or lack there of.

“Two Guys on Ice” is an wanting to please pet canine kind present that does something and every thing to please its viewers. All three performers are members of Actors’ Equity and do a wonderful job getting laughs from materials that always tries too arduous to be humorous.

The Lake George Dinner Theatre isn’t about an ideal eating expertise or unforgettable theater. For one factor, on the greater than truthful costs they ask, they couldn’t afford it. Instead, Lake George Dinner ought to be taken as an expertise. It’s a spot to go, calm down, unwind, put your style for stylish humor on maintain and put apart any cravings for dramatic subplots.

PS. For the primary time, I attended one of many three weekly matinees as an alternative of a night efficiency. 

It’s a good way to spend a wet or searing-hot day for a number of hours of nice diversion.

”Two Guys on Ice” performs till August 30. Evening exhibits start at 8pm, seating begins at 6:30 pm. Matinees on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday begin at 1 pm. Seating begins at 11:30 am. For tickets and knowledge go to lakegeorgedinnertheatre.org

Bob Goepfert is theater reviewer for the Troy Record.

The views expressed by commentators are solely these of the authors. They don’t essentially replicate the views of this station or its administration.