The Schenectady Light Opera Company is performing Hello Dolly for the conclusion of its 80th season.
Director Suzanne Rayome, a Scotia resident, said the audience should expect to see a very bright and colorful show, with lots of dancing, elaborate sets and costumes and a talented cast.
`From the start, we had a great turnout for auditions, which is an indication that we really have incredible talent in the Capital Region,` Rayome said.
Because `Hello Dolly` is intended for a large stage and SLOC’s stage is relatively small, the entire theater is used to create more space.
`We’ve got people coming from everywhere,` Rayome said. `You have people sweating right next to you, which is an interesting experience.`
The 1890s setting requires elaborate costumes with incredible details, which the company’s costume designer, Connie Rauhauser, made by hand.
The set design is also quite detailed. Set designers Peter and Madeline Codella created a front extension to the stage with stairs to the floor, which gives the actors more room.
The Schenectady Light Opera Company has been around for 80 years, something that is unusual for community theater groups. The company’s longevity and organization is what attracted Rayome to its stage.
Rayome has been involved with community theater for 35 years, but this is her first SLOC production. Rayome and her husband have done a lot of work with the Glove Theater in Gloversville.
`We are really tickled to be here, so close to home,` she said.
Jean Foster, who plays Dolly, returned to SLOC after nearly 20 years away from the stage because of Rayome.
`This is what we really enjoy doing, but the biggest draw for me was the director,` Foster said.
Foster, from Burnt Hills, said her biggest challenge in playing Dolly is that the character is larger than life.
`Sometimes it’s hard to play that role. I’m still working to do that. I am still cautious, and Dolly isn’t,` Foster said.
The vocal range is also different. Foster is used to singing soprano and Dolly has a deep alto voice.
Ken Zarnoch from Scotia plays the male lead, Horace Vandegelder. Zarnoch has been with the theater company for 20 years. In that time he has worn many hats, including acting, doing technical work and set design and being on the board of directors.
He said he likes playing Vandegelder because he is a crusty, grumpy, hard as nails, half-a-millionaire snob.
`It’s fun to play a role like that,` he said.
`You do so well with it,` Rayome joked.
Nearly everyone involved in the production is a volunteer. Foster said it is nice to come to rehearsals from her full-time job, and have everything organized and ready to go.
Cast members have been rehearsing about 12 hours a week since February, but Rayome has been planning for this production for a year.
`Everyone here does this for fun. It is their hobby and you want that experience to be rewarding` Rayome said.
For Foster, her experience has been a positive one, which includes her husband and her 12-year-old son Colin, who’s in the ensemble.
Colin Foster said it’s great to be performing with his family for this show.
`It’s in my blood,` he said.
All ages are welcome to perform with SLOC, including young children and 70-year-old grandparents. Often families perform together, and many people have met their significant others while performing with the company.
`That’s what’s so amazing about community theater,` Jean Foster said, `People can come in for the first time, and it’s so much fun to watch them go through the process from the beginning.`
`It’s all about having fun. The show is a good representation of American musical theater. It’s not controversial, and I guarantee you’ll come out of here whistling,` Zarnoch said.
SLOC is located at 826 State St. in Schenectady. `Hello Dolly` runs from May 4 to 13. Performances are Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children under 13 and $10 for student rush with identification. For ticket reservations call 383-9350 or visit www.sloctheater.com.“