Last night we ventured down to Albany to the Park Playhouse in Washington Park to celebrate my mother's birthday. The Park Playhouse is a fully outdoor theater that puts on very well known productions each spring & summer. Patrons can choose whether or not they would like to purchase tickets...yes, free admission is possible for those who choose to bring their own chairs and sit up in the ampitheater section...which are still great seats. We were in the paid seating, right up front with really great seats.
This year's production is West Side Story. The cast did a fine job and the show brought back memories of watching the movie version back as a kid. The sound system could use a major upgrade as there was much feedback at times and also a lot of crackling through the speakers.
What amazed me, however, was that the production was fairly intricate for a 'free' show. The bulk of the costs are covered by an endowment as well as corporate donations...and for a small part ticket sales. There is also a funny little song that is put on during the intermission asking patrons for donations...and most people did give something.
I am not a big 'arts' guy, but last night was fun and we are already wondering what show will be put on next year. Which is another neat little twist on this place...fans can cast their votes online for what show they would like to see put on next summer. I voted for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels...we'll just have to wait and see what everyone else wants to see...
