Brandi Clark, Megan Baumunk, Alison Guzman, and Danielle Coffin in A Coupla Bimbos Sittin' Around Talkin'Thursday marked the first time I'd attended a theatrical production at Scott Community College, let alone reviewed one. And it wasn't just one, but two SCC plays I caught that night: the short one-acts To Burn a Witch by James L. Bray and A Coupla Bimbos Sittin' Around Talkin' by Richard Vetere. The entire experience was absolutely delightful, charming for its lack of pretension, and oftentimes just flat-out fun, my amusement buoyed by a sense that the actors were thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Megan Baumunk, Patrick Joslyn, and Riley Hantz and Jake's WomenThe phrase "glorified high school" came to mind when I saw Jake's Women - the Neil Simon comedy that opened last week at Scott Community College - and that's not meant as an insult. Rather, it's a commentary on the limited space and resources the SCC theatre department has to work with, which are a mere step up from those available to local high-school drama departments. Performances are held in the auditorium of the Student Life Center on a proscenium stage fringed by red curtains and flanked by American flags on eagle-topped poles; a rudimentary sound system hangs overhead, beside a single row of lights. (I expected, at any moment, to see Sam the Eagle stride into a scene and deliver a political speech.) Admittedly, the visuals were a bit of a sleep-inducer, but director Steve Flanigin's casting choices kept me awake.

Jonathan Kasch in Haunted LivesScott Community College debuted its fall theatre offering(s) on Thursday, a pair of John Pielmeier one-acts under the blanket title Haunted Lives. And while I'd prefer this article not be read as a traditional review - because, for understandable reason, the production wasn't really in any kind of shape to be reviewed - I'll preface with perhaps the highest compliment I can give its participants: They made it through.