Summertime in San Francisco always means a whole lot of outdoor theater, whether it’s Shakespeare, musicals or agitprop satire.
Here’s a sampling of what’s playing in the parks and other al fresco venues around the Bay this summer. So pack your layers of clothing (nights can get frosty in many venues) and head out there. Most venues allow you to bring in snacks and drinks, but also sell their own. Also, check the venue website for special events, discussions and presentation and other attractions that might enhance you experience.
Actors Ensemble of Berkeley
Where: John Hinkel Park Amphitheatre, 41 Somerset Place, Berkeley
What’s playing: “Hamlet,” through July 22; “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged,” Aug. 18-Sept. 3
Tickets: Free; 510-649-5999, www.aeofberkeley.org
Details: Seating is on the ground on stone terraces, with thin cushions available. Hot dogs and other refreshments available at intermission.
California Shakespeare Theater
Where: Bruns Amphitheater, 100 California Shakespeare Theater Way (off HIghway 24), Orinda
What’s playing: “Quixote Nuevo,” through July 7; “Everybody,” July 18-Aug. 5; “The War of the Roses,” Aug. 22-Sept. 9; “black odyssey,” Sept. 25 through Oct. 7.
Tickets: $20-$92; 510-548-9666, www.calshakes.org
Details: Reserved chair seating and blankets to rent are available, as well as a good variety of food and drink.
Curtain Theatre
Where: Old Mill Park Amphitheatre, 375 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley
What’s playing: “Henry IV, Part 1,” Aug. 18-Sept. 9.
Tickets: Free; www.curtaintheatre.org
Details: Open seating on chairs and benches in a shaded redwood grove behind the Mill Valley Public Library. A smattering of refreshments is available for purchase.
Inferno Theatre
Where: John Hinkel Park Amphitheatre, 41 Somerset Place, Berkeley
What’s playing: “Pinocchio,” July 28-Aug. 12.
Tickets: Free; 510-825-0449, www.infernotheatre.org
Details: Seating is on the ground on stone terraces in a largely sunny amphitheater with some shade on the side.
Livermore Shakespeare Festival
Where: Wente Vineyards Estate Winery & Tasting Room, 5565 Tesla Road, Livermore
What’s playing: “The Importance of Being Earnest,” through July 15, “The Winter’s Tale,” July 12-29. (A review of “Earnest” is here)
Tickets: $25-$58; 925-443-2273, www.livermoreshakes.org
Details: Performances on a winery lawn with reserved chair seating; A Wente food truck sells picnic boxes and other refreshments, and play-with-dinner at Wente’s restaurant packages are available. Outside food is not allowed on the grounds but you can bring your own picnic to nearby Bruno Canziani Park.
Marin Shakespeare Company
Where: Forest Meadows Amphitheatre, Dominican University, 890 Belle Ave., San Rafael
What’s playing: “Hamlet,” through July 8; “Shakespeare’s Will,” through July 8; “Pericles,” July 12-Aug. 5.
Tickets: $10-$38; 415-499-4488, www.marinshakespeare.org
Details: Performances are in the evening in a pleasant, quiet amphitheater with seating on the ground. Basic refreshments and cushions are available.
Samuel Peaches’ Peripatetic Players
Where: Bay Area parks
What’s playing: “Shiver We Timbers!,” July 7-Aug. 12.
Tickets: Free; 510-542-9009, peripateticplayers.org.
Details: Billed as a family-friendly production; open seating on lawns, with blankets and low chairs welcome but not provided. Lots of audience participation.
San Francisco Mime Troupe
Where: Various Bay Area parks
What’s playing: Political satire “Seeing Red,” July 4-Sept. 9.
Tickets: Free; 415-285-1717, www.sfmt.org
Details: While kids might not get all the liberal political satire, Mime Troupe productions are lively and silly and “Seeing Red” could make a fun family day at a park; shows are open seating on lawns, with blankets and food welcome but not provided.
San Francisco Shakespeare Festival
Where: Parks in Pleasanton, Cupertino, Redwood City and San Francisco
What’s playing: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” through Sept. 23.
Tickets: Free; 415-558-0888, www.sfshakes.org
Details: Open seating on lawns, with blankets and low chairs welcome but not provided. Basic refreshments available for purchase.
Santa Cruz Shakespeare
Where: The Audrey Stanley Grove at DeLaveaga Park, 501 Upper Park Road, Santa Cruz
What’s playing: “Love’s Labour’s Lost,” July 10-Sept. 2, “Romeo and Juliet,” July 24-Sept. 1; “Venus in Fur,” Aug. 7-Sept. 2, “Men I’m Not Married To,” Aug. 22-29.
Tickets: $20-$56; 831-460-6399, www.santacruzshakespeare.org.
Details: Seating is a mix of reserved benches and chairs and general ground seating, with blankets and low chairs available for rent. Paid parking lot available. Details on what food and drink will be available for sale are TBA.
Shakespeare Napa Valley
Where: Parks in Yountville and Napa
What’s playing: “As You Like It,” Sept. 14-30.
Tickets: Free; www.shakespearenapavalley.org
Details: Seating is on the ground in Yountville’s Veterans Memorial Park and on chairs at the CIA at Copia in Napa.
Silicon Valley Shakespeare
Where: Sanborn County Park, 16055 Sanborn Road, Saratoga.
What’s playing: “The Hood of Sherwood” (world premiere), July 10-Aug. 31; “Much Ado About Nothing,” Aug. 3-Sept. 2.
Tickets: $25, free for 17 and under; 408-289-1901, www.svshakespeare.org
Details: General seating, folding chairs are provided. Basic concessions and paid parking lot available.
Sonoma Shakespeare Avalon Players
Where: Buena Vista Winery, 18000 Old Winery Road, Sonoma
What’s playing: “Two Gentlemen of Verona,” Aug. 8-19.
Tickets: $20-$35; www.sonomashakespeare.com
Details: Performed in a picturesque fountain courtyard at a historic winery.
Vallejo Shakespeare in the Park
Where: Parks in Vallejo, Crockett, Martinez and Oakland
What’s playing: “Measure for Measure,” July 28-Aug. 12.
Tickets: Free; www.vallejoshakespeare.org
Details: Open seating on the ground. Basic refreshments available for purchase.
Woodminster Summer Musicals
Where: Woodminster Amphitheater, Joaquin Miller Park, 3300 Joaquin Miller Road, Oakland
What’s playing: “Oklahoma!,” July 6-16; “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” Aug. 3-12; “In the Heights,” Aug. 31-Sept. 9.
Tickets: $32-$69; 510-531-9597, www.woodminster.com
Details: Reserved seating and refreshments available for purchase. Use paid parking lots or walk up a long stairway from street parking.
