SARATOGA SPRINGS – Every nook, every cranny of the Spa Little Theater was transformed and utilized on Saturday, March 23rd, as Home Made Theater (HMT,) Saratoga’s resident theater company, staged their annual spring benefit. A celebration of “Dancing Through The Decades” was the theme, and whether you preferred a Speakeasy vibe, 20s/30s dance hall, 50s sock hop at the malt shop (complete with authentic, hand-made root beer floats) or 60s/70s “Boogie Nights,” it was all there. Patrons got into the groove in costumes that ran the gamut from flapper to surfer and much, much in between…
The program involved many HMT characters from recent productions (Young Frankenstein, Drowsy Chaperone, Addams Family and Joseph…) reprising their roles to assist Director/Event Diva Dawn Oesch detail the storied history of HMT – approaching its 35th year! – and administer the live auction of items with destinations from Lake Placid to NYC, as well as Saratoga…
Up in the speakeasy, guys and dolls were enjoying the performance by the incomparable, side-splitting Camille West in full regalia…
On this night, dance was King – and Queen – as Tango Fusion’s Diane Lachtrupp and Johnny Martinez took it out several new doors.
This was a different, much more animated and immersive event than previous HMT Spring Benefits. Kudos to the organizers for utilizing the talents that have been key ingredients to Home Made Theater’s success for well over three decades now. A+ for effort, it says here – and while some things could be tweaked, I wouldn’t be disappointed if a year from now I walked in and saw much of the same thing. Enjoy the gallery.
GALLERY: Retro Rondevous – Photos by Cathy Duffy
For more information about Home Made Theater’s history and upcoming season, click HERE
Arthur Gonick
March 27, 2019
