Outdoor theater is back in the Bay Area — here’s a roundup
Bay Area outdoor theater is (mostly) back this summer and as varied as ever, from Shakespeare in the park to musicals on the mountaintop.
There are new works ranging from the San Francisco Mime Troupe’s agitprop musical comedy to We Players’ site-specific show about a lighthouse keeper. There are circus acts, a madcap “Lord of the Rings” adaptation, and multiple same-sex versions of “Romeo and Juliet.”
The parks, wineries and amphitheaters will be full of enough al fresco entertainment for pretty much anyone to find something to strike their fancy.
Remember it is a good idea to check a venue’s latest health and safety protocols before attending a show. Also, take into consideration that some outdoor theaters can be downright nippy when the sun goes down; dress accordingly.
Actors Ensemble of Berkeley
Where: John Hinkel Park Amphitheatre, 41 Somerset Place, Berkeley
On stage: “Fortinbras,” comedy described as “what happens after ‘Hamlet,'” July 2-17.
Tickets: Free; www.aeofberkeley.org
The setup: Open ground amphitheater seating with small cushions available and food and drink available for purchase.
AlterTheater
Where: Bruns Amphitheater, 100 California Shakespeare Theater Way, off Highway 24, Orinda
On stage: “Pure Native,” new play by Vickie Ramirez; July 11-24
Tickets: Prices based on sliding scale; www.altertheater.org.
Setup: Amphitheater seating with refreshments available.
California Shakespeare Theater
Where: Bruns Amphitheater, 100 California Shakespeare Theater Way, off Highway 24, Orinda
On stage: “Romeo y Juliet,” bilingual adaptation by Karen Zacarías, May 25-June 19; “Lear,” modern translation of Shakespeare’s “King Lear” by Marcus Gardley, Sept. 7-Oct. 2.
Tickets: $30-$70; 510-548-9666, www.calshakes.org
Setup: Reserved chair seating with blankets available and a good variety of food and drink available for purchase.
Circus Bella
Where: Touring production will visit various Bay Area parks
On stage: “Flip * Flop * Fly *,” June 16-July 17 (additional performances may be added).
Tickets: Free; www.circusbella.org
Setup: Open lawn seating; picnic blankets or low folding chairs welcome but not provided.
Curtain Theatre
Where: Old Mill Park Amphitheatre, 375 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley
On stage: “Two Gentlemen of Verona,” Aug. 13-Sept. 5
Tickets: Free; www.curtaintheatre.org
Setup: Open seating on chairs and benches in a shaded redwood grove behind the Mill Valley Public Library; a smattering of refreshments available for purchase.
The Mountain Play
Where: Cushing Memorial Amphitheatre, Mount Tamalpais State Park, Mill Valley
On stage: “Hello, Dolly!,” May 22-June 11
Tickets: $25-$185; 415-383-1100, www.mountainplay.org
Setup: Performances in the early afternoon in a sunny historic amphitheater high up Mount Tamalpais with seating on the ground; a variety of refreshments are available for purchase; very limited parking, shuttle service available.
The Peripatetic Players
Where: Touring production visiting various Bay Area parks.
On stage: “A Lord of a Ring in a Suitcase: The Two-Part Trilogy (The Extendish Edition),” satire of “Lord of the Rings,” July 16-31.
Tickets: Free; www.peripateticplayers.org
Setup: Open seating on lawns, with blankets and food welcome but not provided.
Plethos Productions
On stage: “Once on This Island,” June 3-12 at Twining Vine Winery, 16851 Cull Canyon Road, Castro Valley; “Tiny Beautiful Things,” Sept. 16-25 at Heirloom East Bay, 9990 Crow Canyon Road, Castro Valley
Tickets: $15-$20; www.plethos.org
Setup: Open lawn picnic seating and row seating; refreshments available for purchase.
San Francisco Mime Troupe
Where: Touring production at various Bay Area parks
On stage: “Back to the Way Things Were,” political satire; July 2-Sept. 5.
Tickets: Free; 415-285-1717, www.sfmt.org
Setup: Open seating on lawns, with blankets and food welcome but not provided.
San Francisco Shakespeare Festival
Where: Touring production coming to parks in Parks in Cupertino, Redwood City and San Francisco.
On stage: “Much Ado About Nothing,” July 23-Sept. 11
Tickets: Free; 415-558-0888, www.sfshakes.org
Setup: Open seating on lawns, with blankets and low chairs welcome but not provided; basic refreshments available for purchase.
Santa Cruz Shakespeare
Where: The Grove at DeLaveaga Park, 501 Upper Park Road, Santa Cruz
On stage: “The Formula,” world premiere, inspired by “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” July 15-Aug. 28; “Twelfth Night,” July 15-Aug. 28; “The Tempest,” July 28-Aug. 27 “Enslaver’s Isle,” Aug. 17 and 23.
Tickets: $24-$64; 831-460-6399, www.santacruzshakespeare.org
Setup: Seating is a mix of reserved benches and chairs and general ground seating, with blankets and low chairs available for rental. Paid parking lot available.
Silicon Valley Shakespeare
Where: Willow Street Park, 1320 Willow St., San Jose, and Sanborn County Park, 16055 Sanborn Road, Saratoga
On stage: “Romeo and Juliet,” June 3-19 at Willow Street Park; “Measure for Measure,” July 29-Sept. 2 at Sanborn Park; “Sense and Sensibility,” Aug. 5-Sept. 4 at Willow Street Park.
Tickets: Willow Street Park shows free; Sanborn Park shows $20-$50, free for 17 and under with paid adult; 408-289-1901, www.svshakespeare.org.
Setup: General seating, on the ground in San Jose and in folding chairs in Saratoga; basic concessions available.
Sonoma Shakespeare Avalon Players
Where: Buena Vista Winery, 18000 Old Winery Road, Sonoma
On stage: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Aug. 3-14
Tickets: $20-$35; www.sonomashakespeare.com
Setup: Performed in a picturesque fountain courtyard at a historic winery.
SPARC Theater
Where: Darcie Kent Vineyards, 7000 Tesla Road, Livermore
On stage: “The 39 Steps,” June 23-July 10, “Life Is a Cabernet”(musical revue), June 26-July 31, “The Comedy of Errors,” July 15-Aug. 7
Tickets: $18-$56; 925-443-2273, www.sparctheater.org
Setup: Formerly Livermore Valley Shakespeare Festival; performances on a winery lawn with reserved chair seating and refreshments available.
Transcendence Theatre Company
Where: Jack London State Historic Park, 2400 Jack London Road, Glen Ellen
On stage: “Let’s Dance” (Broadway-themed musical revue), June 17-July 3; “Hooray for Hollywood” (musical revue); July 29-Aug. 14; “The Gala” (music revue), Sept, 9-18.
Tickets: $25-$165; 877-424-1414, transcendencetheatre.org
Setup: Reserved chair seating; refreshments available for purchase, and picnics from home welcome.
Vallejo Shakespeare in the Park
Where: Parks in Vallejo, Benicia, Martinez and Oakland
On stage: “Much Ado About Nothing,” July 30-Aug
Tickets: Free; www.vallejoshakespeare.org
Setup: Open seating on the ground; basic refreshments available for purchase.
We Players
Where: Alameda Point, 950 West Mall Square, Alameda
On stage: “The Keeper,” comedy-drama about a solitary lighthouse keeper; May 27-June 26
Tickets: $20-$60; www.weplayers.org
Setup: Open seating; layered clothing recommended.
Woodminster Summer Musicals
Where: Woodminster Amphitheater, Joaquin Miller Park, 3300 Joaquin Miller Road, Oakland
On stage: “Something Rotten,” June 10-19, “Man of La Mancha,” July 8-17, “On Your Feet!,” Aug. 5-14.
Tickets: $35-$77; 510-531-9597, www.woodminster.com
Setup: Reserved seating and refreshments available for purchase; use paid parking lots or walk up a long stairway from street parking.