Broadway Under the Stars

I’ve attended Broadway shows in San Francisco, New York, along with
many other places. I’ve attended shows in general all over the world… NOTHING beats being in nature. I’m not sure why there are negative comments about this being outdoors… It’s called Broadway under the STARS!
That’s like going to in and out burger and complaining that they have hamburgers. Ok, enough on that. The cast is amazing.
They are funny, creative and all have great voices! They are true professionals with resumes to prove it!
They have an amazing camp for kids. My child has attended for two years now. They are amazing with the kids. This year, kids from other states came just to attend the camp.
It’s worth every penny, the camp and the show. I always get VIP parking and seating, it’s worth it to me.
The program has also saved the park from closure. Every Sonoman (or whatever the word is, I’m a Napan) should sing this programs praises and at least attend one show per year, if anything, to help keep the park open!
Plus, you can bring your own picnic and picnic before the show!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!

An amazing time! A gorgeous location with food trucks and wineries pouring their wines. There’s beer too.
Tips: arrive at 5pm for best parking and bring a blanket to sit on for the pre-​show picnic. Then use same blanket for warmth later when it gets chilly in the 2^nd Act.

I won’t be going back.
I’ll start by saying that the young performers are talented. They bring a youthful joy to the performances.
That said…
I’ve been to three shows in two years. Why I won’t go again:
Some think the venue is lovely. Perhaps for a day hike it would be. But for a concert I don’t find it so. The parking lot is crowded (which is expected). The trails to the venue (yes, you have to do a bit of hiking) are dirty and dusty. Beware if anyone in the group is handicapped. There is a golf cart service for disabled folk.
And hot. Did I mention hot? The shows are in the summer, and the weather can still be sweat-​inducing when the show starts. Granted, it cools off by the time the show is over. And as the sun sinks in the western sky, for many minutes it’s blinding, shining directly into your eyes. Give me an air-​conditioned indoor venue any day.
Take a flashlight for hiking back to your car after the show. They did have strings of lights along the path directly out of the venue, but none for the hike up the hill and down again to the parking lot.
There’s a real hierarchy for seating. General admission folks have to wait in a line while VIP seating goes in first. (There are four levels of seating.) There is no slope to the venue, so all seats are on the same level. Lines of sight to the stage, then are not the greatest. Tall people in front of you can block views, too. ALL of the seats are uncomfortable. Folding chairs attached together in groups of three (or four?), so you can’t even move your individual seat forward or back. And the seats and rows are jammed together. VIP seats have cushions. We brought our own seat cushions (after our first attendance) but they didn’t help much.
Some limited pricey food is available. You can bring a picnic if you wish. But the few picnic tables there cost $ 50 to reserve. Really? We took a picnic dinner and our own folding chairs the first time we went, but it was too much hassle schlepping the coolers and bags and chairs up the hill and back down to the car. For subsequent performances, we ate first then just went to the show.
Tickets are overpriced, in my opinion. A single general admission ticket is $ 47 (the ticket is $ 40, but there are additional costs tacked on). Premium and VIP tickets are $ 69, $ 77, and $ 129. Premium simply lets you choose a reserved seat (closer to the stage). VIP gives you closer parking, wine, a wine glass, and access to the «VIP lounge» plus reserved seats.
I know that part of the money goes to Jack London Park, so I feel I helped support JLP in that way. And if you haven’t guessed, we were general admission people. Couldn’t afford the VIP tickets.
Bathrooms are porta potties, and there can is a line for them at intermission.
Anyway… The shows. As I said, the performers are talented, and the musicians are fine (live band). But the shows are so similar. Some singing, some dancing, some comic numbers. But, frankly, if you see one show, you seen ‘em all. (There is a «family» show ever season, but we avoided that.) Songs, of course, are from Broadway shows. But the shows we saw felt disjointed. No overarching theme to bring them together. Just a bunch of songs.
So, I think that’s it.
If you’re reading this to determine if you want to go or not, I say go once at least. Support Jack London Park. Enjoy the music. Keep in mind the other things I’ve mentioned. And who knows, maybe you’ll like it enough to go back.
Not I.

There are so many activities in the Wine Country these days, but if you miss this one you will be sorry! This theater company will delight every theater craving you have. The talent is exceptional, the creativity soars and the setting is extraordinary. OK enough superlatives, but it was our favorite evening experience during the entire trip! You have to see at least one event, we are definitely headed back for more.

Absolutely magical! The setting in the park is fabulous and the entertainers, staging and music choice is top notch. You can bring a picnic dinner or purchase wine and food outside the venue before the show. We plan to go again at least once each year.

Going up from the bay area to N. Calif on a business trip, and spent a night in Rohnert Park to break up the driving. While surfing the Internet I just happened to stumble upon this event, and it was the final night of the whole season. What a gem I found! It was a sold out event, and judging from the crowd I was probably one of the few «outsiders» or «tourists» amount the hundred of people. Most seem to know each other or at least a part of the Sonoma community. But everyone was friendly and hospitable. From parking attendants, check-​in staffs, to wine vendors, everyone was helpful and cheerful. In fact, although I had no idea at the time, if I’m not mistaken it was Amy Miller, the CEO of this company as well as a star performer, herself came to greet and welcome us during my check-​in. Like most of the people I arrived around 5 pm, spending the next 2+ hours at the picnic ground to enjoy the food, wine, and the beautiful surroundings. The wines they poured had quite a few varieties, and of high quality. Shortly before 7:30p people started to migrate to the theater area, which is a ruined winery without roof. There was somewhat of a line to get in, but the wait wasn’t bad. I paid extra for the Premium seating, so I didn’t even have to stand in line at all. The performance itself was of professional level. Most if not all the performers, like Amy, were/​are working professionals in various performing troupes. Being outdoor, the light and sound won’t be at the highest quality as in a Broadway theater. However, the tranquil environment, soft breeze, and above all the STARS, more than make up for it. Now that the season is over, I have to wait almost a whole year before they come back. I do hope to be able to attend again.

What a great summer night out. We caught the season Finale Gala show. It really is special. Not flawless or mind blowing in some big city way but just a wonderful combination of elements. The troupe is energetic, talented and well rehearsed. With legitimate credentials they carry a big load. The staging is minimal due to the limitations of the outside venue but the trade off is looking at a simply stunning panorama of history and nature with some lovely lighting, a live band and very good sound. You realize that performing at this level is not as easy as it looks. The cast runs the gamut and there are some stars but it all blends well together and while I would have omitted some of the more mushy marginal numbers, the send up of A.L. Webber was a riot. They drew from a variety of shows and there is plenty of choreography to make the numbers light up. The seats are all good even at the general admission level. Plenty of wine and food available with picnic tables just outside the venue. Go early and enjoy the surroundings. There are three sections of seats with the VIPs closest but you don’t need to go that route. All three sections are open seating to that ticket category. Only the second season they are becoming a welcomed addition to the wealth of entertainment options in Sonoma County.

There are no words to describe this experience. The best live entertainment in Sonoma County and it’s not even close. The setting is breathtaking and the performers are incredibly talented. Most importantly, they are a non-​profit and support Jack London State Park. We are so blessed to have them as a part of our community!