- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
American Players Theatre
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Performing Arts Arts & Entertainment Cinema Performing Arts, Cinema [Edit]
5950 Golf Course RdSpring Green, WI 53588
(608) 588-2361
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
19 reviews for American Players Theatre
19 reviews in English
-
Review from Janet K.
Madison, WI
12/2/2011
Seeing a play out in the middle of what feels like 'the wilderness', a truly unique experience. I fell in love with this theatre company and the feeling you get watching one of the performances. I have seen two Shakespeare productions here and both times it was fantastic. The players are great and will keep the scene going even through unprecedented rain storms! Support community theater and plan a trip out here! It's beautiful and magical!
-
Review from Beth R.
Chicago, IL
9/26/2010 1 photo
In August, I saw the APT production of "As You Like It" which I had seen one other time, in my high school theater, put on by my classmates. This was an upgrade in every way, and I say that in spite of not getting class credit for attending.
Parking was relatively easy. The climb up the rocky path to the theater in 3" wedge open-toed sandals, notsomuch. Ladies, plan accordingly. In fact, the overall dress code is relaxed enough to accommodate whatever sturdy footwear you prefer.
The seats were surprisingly comfortable, and appear to be some kind of padded vinyl. How are these outside year-round? I don't know, but I was relieved that they were actual seats and not benches or bleachers.
At the concessions stand, I enjoyed a hot cocoa with peppermint schnapps. I opted for a hot bevo partly to ward off the cold I anticipated, but which actually never arrived - I was comfortable the whole night. Still, the cocoa was a nice treat. Two schnapps up.
The gift shops have some cute knick-knacks ("Back the bard" buttons and "Measure for Measure" rulers) as well as ponchos and sweatshirts for inclement weather. There were also onesies ("Though she be but little, she is fierce"), jewelry, note cards and other related gifty items. It's a tasteful little addition to the theater.
There were two extra nice touches that show that the APT has carefully thought through the audience experience. The first is the row of water spigots and cups for grabbing a little agua on a hot night. The other is an area with cans of bug spray and a little space to spray it on.
The show itself was well done - re-set in the 1930s - and the acting was slightly uneven but Rosalind was consistently solid. We could hear pretty well in row J, and the only complaint I had was directed to the peanut gallery to our right. But the theater cannot screen for that kind of thing, I guess.
Overall, a sweet way to experience some midsummer night entertainment. -
Review from David E.
Madison, WI
6/14/2011
I do love this place. Nested away in the "woods", with the theatre up a hill. You drive into a large gravel parking lot. Then at the bottom of the hill is a large picnic area with tables and gas grills. You are welcome/encouraged to bring your own food/beverages in this area and picnic before the show. However, nothing is allowed to carry in up to the theatre area. There is also food available to order from local restaurants.
Once up to the theatre area, there are plenty of concessions including beer, wine, desserts, and a nice gift shop.
The venue is not too large, so that even a "cheap" seat, $46, is still okay.
I think others, like myself, probably go for the "experience" more so than the theatre. However, these actors are great, and very talented!! I realize not every show will knock you off your feet, but you will not be dissapointed.
A great place for a date, complete with a picnic.
David -
Review from David R.
9/4/2010
Sorry to disappoint, but I'm not going to rhapsodize about the romanticism of seeing Shakespeare "under the stars." At $52 per ticket, I would rather they impressed me with the performance, not the venue. I once saw The Merchant of Venice in a forested amphitheater at the University of California at Santa Cruz, and what I remember most is the woods and the cold, not the play. At APT, the venue happens to be outdoors, but the theater itself is more like a regular theater with the roof off. And that is all to the good, as it allows me to focus on the show.
They do several plays in repertory each season here; we came for As You Like It. While there is always room for supporting elements, my feelings on a given production of this play will always hinge upon the Rosalind. Hillary Clemens' performance made the play a success in my eyes; she brought a girlish enthusiasm--giddiness at times--that made for some remarkably cute moments, but also some endearing ones.
Overall, I felt that the production lacked a coherent dramatic thrust. The idea is supposed to be that these banished characters are suffering broken relationships, with both people and place. APT sets the play during the 1930s, ostensibly to lend an air of the downtrodden, to widen the thematic gulf between the Haves of the court and the Have Nots of the Arden Forest exiles. But I just didn't perceive any sense of despair from these characters, and dressing up Orlando in a Tom Joad costume did nothing to shore up that lack. But it was a clever idea. Less clever was the sudden, incongruous dance number in Act IV.
Maybe it was the acting and not the direction. I liked some of the cast, a few were lackluster, two were standouts (Rosalind and Jacques), and the Touchstone was an insufferable ham. A few of his scenes--one in particular in which he rapidly yuks through over a dozen anachronistic voice impersonations--launched me jarringly out of the play. Maybe it's my own bias, but anything that breaks the fourth wall severely detracts from my enjoyment.
All that being said, I did like the play; it's one of Shakespeare's best comedies, after all, and the Rosalind was charming. And yes, the outdoor setting was a bonus. The facility is very professional; they have pretty good concessions and a couple of engaging gift shops. And free bug spray--because you can't COMPLETELY forget that you're watching Shakespeare under the stars in the Wisconsin woods. -
Review from Sara J.
8/26/2011
I haven't visited here in a while, but boy do I miss it! Great theater outdoors, what more could a theater lover ask for? They have a few cute little souvenir shops as well as a place to buy snacks and drinks, overpriced of course but you can bring a picnic lunch with you to enjoy on the grounds before you go inside. They always hire the best actors WI has to offer and all the performances I have seen have been spectacular. So, pack up a picnic, some sun screen, a few tickets and have a fun day out!
-
Review from To and Jo S.
Madison, WI
11/14/2010
We love APT. My appreciation for Shakespeare has been so enhanced by some of the interpretations done by this magnificent group. My favorite was Taming of the Shrew with influence from the surrealist Magritte. Wonderful.
Went to two shows this year. Tempest was terrific. Excellent cast. Amazing.
Anyway, the picnic area is very nice. Propane grills provided with lighters and trash receptacles. Large picnic benches. Great place to kick back and have an early bbq before going to the show. Later shows bring a coat, blanket and especially a hat.
Concessions are a bit pricey. Hot choc is 3 bucks but add a shot of schnapps and it goes to 7. Maybe bring along a thermos for those chilly outdoor nights. -
Review from Colleen D.
Chicago, IL
8/23/2010
A lovely place for a getaway weekend. There are two theaters -- Up the Hill which is (yes) a good walk up a hill. The theater is outside, no roof, no cover. Bring your bug spray and maybe a sweater. The Touchstone Theatre is the new indoor space that I did not have the opportunity to see.
My friends that went to a matinee at the Up The Hill Theater had a bit of a problem with sitting in the direct sun. Experienced theater-goers went for seats in the back row which was shaded. A word to the wise...
One really nice amenity at APT is a very large picnic area complete with tables and charcoal and gas grills! Plan to come early and have a meal before indulging in the arts.
We stayed at the House on the Rock Resort. They have a complimentary shuttle from the hotel to APT and back which was very nice. -
Review from Kelly R.
Middleton, WI
9/2/2008
Everyone needs to go to at least one show at APT. It's such a great experience. Set back in the beautiful hills of Spring Green awaits a charming outdoor theatre. A short walk up the hill(after a nice picnic, if you choose) and you'll be entertained by APT's wonderful cast of actors, whether you choose to see a Shakespeare piece, or something a bit more contemporary.
I've never had a bad experience here. It's always entertaining, and a great way to spend a nice evening. I like to go early summer, or at the height of fall, to avoid sweltering heat...and mosquitoes! -
Review from Nicholas M.
San Francisco, CA
5/25/2005 1 photo
This is a magical place.
Set in the unglaciated region of Wisconsin, nestled in a thick green sea of oak, brich and poplar, APT is my favorite summer Shakespeare venue.
http://www.playinthewo... -
Review from Jennifer A.
Chicago, IL
9/12/2011
Wow! What a unique experience!
-
Review from Sarah B.
Chicago, IL
10/11/2006
One of the best theaters to see a play in the Midwest, and oftentimes better than many Chicago theaters. The troupe sticks with classics, for the most part, concentrating on Shakespeare (usually 3 of the Bard's plays each summer), but also in the repertoire: Shaw, Moliere, Ibsen, etc.
The actors and other theater professionals (think lighting, costumes, etc) have worked all over the country, and sometimes out of it. They work no matter if there is rain, sun, wind, cold, bugs, humidity, and only stop in cases of severe downpours and lightning.
APT is near the Wisconsin River and Tower Hill State Park. Also nearby is the House on the Rock Resort (formerly The Springs) with golf course and spa facilities. -
Review from Mio S.
Madison, WI
9/28/2008
I saw A Midsummer Night's Dream this weekend. The production was great, but I was more mesmerized by the gorgeous outdoor setting. The theater is located at the top of a hill. The place is kept very clean and neat.
The play itself was a nice modern interpretation of the Shakespeare classic. The costumes were beautiful. The lighting was spectacular - it really captured the essence of "dream." Attending the play was such nice way to spend an evening. If you like play, or even if you're not that into it, APT is highly recommended. -
Review from Marissa B.
Chicago, IL
7/11/2011
What a neat place! A well-organized crew had cars filing into the parking lot without a problem as everyone arrived for the show. There were picnic tables aplenty within a few minutes walk from the car, allowing us to enjoy a picnic dinner and return coolers to the car before the show (this is where the bugs were the worst, so bring your own spray for this part!). A five minute walk further up the hill led to the theater area where everyone was given the lovely (and much appreciated) opportunity to spray down with theater-hosted bug spray. A quickly moving concession line offered a decent selection of beer, wine, sodas, ice cream, and other snacks that you could bring into the show. I will be the first to admit that I am not fluent in the queen's ol' English so I may have missed some of the storyline, but I enjoyed the show ("The Critic") nonetheless. Overall, a different and enjoyable experience within about an hour of Madison.
-
Review from Fei X.
Sun Prairie, WI
4/29/2010
We come here year after year for the best entertainment in the woods. Walking up the hill to the theater is like stepping into the imagination.
-
Review from Tonya C.
9/9/2008
I was given a chance to see "Ah, Wilderness" here last weekend, and am still enthralled by the experience. The acting and presentation were top-notch... and the ambiance... heavenly. Of course, this may have been somewhat influenced by the absolutely amazing perfect-Fall-day weather we were blessed with, making a walk in the woods de rigeur. The plans for the new indoor theatre are well underway, the concessions are out of the ordinary (think gourmet, organic), and somehow the space ends up reminding the visitor of an up-scale scout camp (as oxymoronic as that description is!). I will absolutely be returning any chance I get.
-
Review from John V.
Hanover Park, IL
We've made it an official tradition to see one play every summer at APT. We have yet to see any shakespeare, but the other comedies that we've seen have been great (Misalliance, Widower's Houses, Hay Fever). This summer, we took the "Inside Out" tour and thoroughly enjoyed it. We got a peek at the newly opened Touchstone (indoor) theater and all the costume and props storage as well as backstage. It was a good combo with an afternoon show.
-
Review from dan l.
Brooklyn, NY
10/12/2009
This place was great. Saw the last show of '09, Comedy of Errors. Theater was really nice, comfortable seating, not a bad seat in the house. Not sure if we were allowed to but brought in our own wine and snacks....my only advice is if you're going, go early and enjoy the picnic area. They have gas grills there already. Tickets were slightly pricey but was worth it. I would definitely go back.
-
Review from gfiddy f.
Chicago, IL
3/1/2010
Kudos to humankind for Shakespeare, and kudos to nature for Wisconsin.
-
Review from Anne C.
Milwaukee, WI
7/16/2010
I guess everyone gives APT five stars for a reason. This theatre is an experience. A magical one at that. It is lowkey, but delivers nearly every time. I grew up seeing Shakespeare here and boy was i spoiled. The outdoor Theatre Up The Hill is made for the big classics. Whether rainy or blisteringly hot, do not skip the opportunity to see a show here. The new Touchstone is a brilliant addition. In true APT style, there is nothing flashy about it. But it provides a wonderful new arena to utilize and celebrate the incredible talents this theatre attracts. Come early enough for a picnic.
