My first play, just a few weeks ago, was Avenue Q - a re-visioning of Sesame Street for adults. The…read moresinging and puppetry were great, staging used every nook and cranny of the venue to advantage, and audience was seated bistro style with tables for drinks from the full bar. Great evening!

I have been a season subscriber for several years now. I continue to be amazed at the range of…read moreplays. This year I've seen a musical where the songs actually supported the plot and all actors were outstanding. Another play had moments of humor and deep sadness as the two leads navigated the difference between their dreams and their reality. And, last night, I attended a play based on air guitar competition -- which surprised me with the depth each character developed in between outrageous air guitar performances. Try it out! The new season begins in September -- and The California Theater on 7th Street offers a variety of comedy, musical and dance band options throughout the week when the plays are dark. It's amazing!

Theater night. The Cinnabar Theater's production of The…read moreLast Five Years was an entertaining and intimate experience. We came in support of a friend in the show and enjoyed the small cozy theater's old charm. It provided the perfect backdrop for this emotionally charged musical. The talented 2 person cast did a fantastic -delivering powerful performances that left the audience captivated. The production showcased the complexities of relationships and the passage of time in a truly poignant way. Overall, it was a memorable and engaging theatrical experience. Note: tight parking lot. Come early to make sure you get a space.

What a gem! I'm sad it's taken me this long to see a show here. Our friend was the star for this…read morelast run and we just had to see her! The cast was small on this particular show, but everyone involved on site and in the production was superb! Well thought out play set; clever layers as a visual to the audience. Sweet overall presentation. We loved this experience; the parking is pretty tight if that matters to anyone; manageable but tight. They have a nice concession bar before the plays with Rocky Mountain local goodies, drinks, wine, coffee, etc. I hope we check out another play soon during their next season when it opens.

Excellent - lovely new renovations to the theatre. Great shows and talents - hardly a bad seat in…read morethe house. Well organized for check in showing vaccination cards etc. Highly recommended for any of their shows!

The SRJC Summer Repertory Theater is back and it is better than ever. Since the main auditorium is…read morestill under construction a temporary Pavilion has been built and it allows for terrific views of the performances. Its theater in the round so every seat is a great seat. The actors and actresses are all from leading Universities and Performing Arts Centers around the country and they have very high skill levels. The first of 3 Musicals was Bonnie and Clyde. We didn't how it would adapt to a Musical but don't worry, it was excellent. The lead roles of Bonnie and Clyde had really good singing voices as well as acting ability. We thoroughly enjoyed this first Musical. Coming up in the next few weeks are Mamma Mia and Pippin. Can't wait! Considering the quality of the performers the cost of the shows is an excellent value. Look for some of these kids in future shows on Broadway, they are that good!

Really fun experience to see Broadway performed outdoors and to experience the stage and…read moreperformance transform as the day gave way to the starry night sky. We found ourselves sitting next to small children who were having a small meltdown mid way through, but since it was outdoors, the sounds dispersed and we were still able to hear and enjoy the show. We've been twice. Both times it was a Broadway review. The first time was during the pandemic and we were all lined up watching from our cars like a drive in theater. It wasn't ideal, but it was greatly appreciated and shows how much they are dedicated to both their craft and to the community. They've also been incredibly supportive of health care workers who have so much during the pandemic. This year, we went to their "new" location in Sonoma. There is a VIP area with couches and such, but the non VIP area seemed more fun to me. There was a performance from a local dance school as well as different wineries and beverage you could chose from. There was a food truck or you could pack your own picnic and eat at the picnic tables there. Parking was a little confusing, but there were staff/volunteers that were really friendly and could point you in the right direction. We look forward to going again and seeing a full Broadway musical production.

A picnic, great wine and a live musical review out under the stars in a beautiful outdoor setting…read more What's not to like? Much of the cast has spent time on and/or off Broadway. The location at Jack London State Park is just lovely. The scenic back drop behind the performers as the sun sets is like getting two shows in one. So glad we have season tickets.

Sensational show last night as Broadway Under The Stars performed A Chorus Line in the ruins of…read moreJack London State Park. It was a great show and marked the first time that a Broadway Show was performed instead of a mixed number of show songs and dance. If you are thinking of attending, the venue at Jack London State Park is one of a kind. If you want to picnic before the show there are several excellent Food Trucks, Wine Tables and picnic tables to sit and enjoy. Don't forget to bring a warm jacket as it can get cols once the sun sets. There is really nothing I would change, it is a first class show in a beautiful historic setting.

On the day we were to go to this outside event, California was having 102-105 degree heat warnings…read more California government said to stay inside and avoid the sun. With that said, we called five or six times to the box office to see if the play was canceled since California weather station was saying not to go out. We could not reach anyone but left messages each time we called. The next morning a very nice woman called and said they did get the messages but were too busy the night before to respond. We told her about the weather alerts/warnings and she said they did not cancel the production. I guess lots of people didn't go and also left messages. I asked if they could let us use our tickets ($76 x 2) at some other date and she said no, "the show must go on." I asked her if they expected the entertainers to put on the show in such heat and she said yes. I asked her if the expected patrons, many elderly, to walk two blocks from parking, wait in line for their will call tickets, and then sit in the sun for two hours in 105 degree heat. She said "the show must go on." They would not let us use our tickets at a late date. It seems to me if the State of California is issuing heat warnings and advisories, telling people to stay in, that this venue would have at least let patrons reschedule for a later show. I did not expect to lose $160 to inconsiderate and dangerous policies of this group. My friends go every year, love it, which is why they bought the tickets again this year. We do understand the conflict of refunding tickets but we did not ask for that. We asked for tickets for seats that were wherever open at a later date. They denied this simple request. What a shame.

We couldn't have asked for a better instructor than Karen! We hired her to choreograph our first…read moredance for our wedding and couldn't have been more impressed with the dance she came up with for us. She was extremely patient and took all the time we needed to go over our dance step by step no matter how many times it took. Her expertise and passion for dancing really showed in each practice. She was the first dance studio we called and we're thankful we went with our first choice! We would highly recommend her for any need or want pertaining to dance.

I googled dance studios in the Sonoma area and California Ballroom was the most affordable at…read more$65/session. My husband and I needed help choreographing our first dance. Emily McAuliffe was great! Both me and my husband had zero ballroom training and Emily introduced the foxtrot to us in a way that was stress-free and fun. Even my uncooperative husband enjoyed the sessions! Emily taught us the swing at the second lesson and the ending (the drop!) at the third and last one. Our wedding guests enjoyed our performance! We're so grateful to Emily and we are thinking of coming back for group lessons.

Attended the showing of Late Night Shorts during the film fest this past weekend, taking place at…read morethe beautiful Mystic Theatre in Petaluma. An awesome collection of short films from around the world, in which attendees could vote for their faves, followed by Q&A with some of the creators and actors at the end. Too many good ones, but my faves were How Did I Get Here by Kate Hamilton (where we could hear her thoughts and decision making while on a date) and Disectoid (a comedy/thriller inspired by Hitchcock). An enjoyable event at an amazing venue, and lots to appreciate about the impressive work of artists and filmmakers from near and far.

an ambitious and successful labor of love; a musical theatrical production that tells the story,…read morejoys and sorrows, of Morningstar Ranch ,the open-land commune of the rise and fall late 60s and early 70s founded by musicologist and folk performer Lou Gottlieb of the Limeliters. this is community theater at its best,performed by a cast with considerable musical and dramatic talent "in the round" in an intimate theater seating 125, across from Sonoma State University. on opening night, May3,the audience included many former communards and friends of west Sonoma County's Morningstar Ranch and its sister community, Wheeler's Ranch,and the attendees were not disappointed by their portrayal. one stage tale about hippies that is neither condescending nor prone to fall into easy cliche, playwright Nick Alva(who is also the composer and arranger of several of the catchiest tunes in the score) has learned his history well,and captured the zeitgeist of the times in a way that will appeal to audiences of many ages. alternately moving and hilarious, capturing the tensions between spiritual seeking and hedonism,play and desperation. well worth the $14to $16 admission to this two-act delight. I'm planning to go back and bring my 13 year old,though we are cautioned that "some material may not be suitable for younger children"because it addresses such themes as sexuality (though there is no nudity or overt sexual conduct on stage) ,"fecal samples" and use of marijuana psychedelic drugs. (shocking -hippies really did THAT??? naw...) ironically, the playwright's own three adorable children,and several other equally sweet kids, s, are part of a "youth ensemble" that joins in a joyous Maypole dance and song. you will want to join them too! the Divine Mother, standing scarcely over five feet tall in a simple green gown, has a simply divine voice in her solos, and I came home singing the "Hey,Lou Gottlieb!" song. great cast,including the talented musicians' ensenble, great story well-told, great direction. enjoy,and heed the cautionary parts of the tale.