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California Shakespeare Theater
Rating Details »
- Hours:
Mon-Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
51 reviews for California Shakespeare Theater
I had the wonderful opportunity to see CalShakes' most recent production of Romeo and Juliet with my fellow cast members of Encinal High's R & J. The actors were great, the scenery and amphitheater were beautiful and it was a flat out great place to see a show. I really need to see another show here and I'm glad that they have a free shuttle from the Orinda BART station or I wouldn't be able to watch shows there as I don't drive.
Definitely 5 stars. Anything less would be an insult.
Great place, we are really lucky to have this here in the Bay Area.
Bring your own food & wine and grab a spot at a picnic table, chat with friends, and enjoy the outdoors.
Watch the play of your choice, gaze at the stars during intermission, and take a quick walk back to the picnic table to grab dessert.
Life is good.
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I absolutely LOVE Cal Shakes. Ever since my husband introduced my to it on my first trip to the Bay Are a few years ago, I always impatiently await the summer and try to see all performances.
Great plays, classics, pretty good acting, and the atmosphere. It's a beautiful setting, calm grove and watching a Shakespeare play under the stars is a lovely experience. Bring a picnic, a nice bottle of wine and a blanket (it gets cold!) and enjoy! This season is off to a great start - Romeo and Juliet was amazing and Private Lives just hilarious. Can't wait to see the next one.
One small drawback - I kinda wish they had more Shakespeare's plays. It's Cal Shakes after all:)
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I loved the last play, A Midsummer's Night Dreams! The night was perfect, too! Not too cold or windy and it wasn't as long as Happy Days which had TWO intermissions! The play was very funny, very animated, a lot of musical in the play, too! Go watch this play, last playing is around middle of October (Oct. 11th or 16th)
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2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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8/20/2009
i still love the theater and coming here with great company, but the play last night, Happy Days was… Read more »
I came here on a Thursday night to see Romeo and Juliet. It's my first time here and I was surprised to find how beautiful the setting of this outdoor theater is. It reminds me of SF's Stern Grove but smaller.
There's a free shuttle that drives you from the Orinda BART station but you must get there at least 30 minutes before the show. Friend and I missed the shuttle so we had to take a taxi, which was a 5 minute ride for about $9.
The theater itself is nestled in the woods, it's a short walk from the parking lot to a trail into the trees. I can imagine bringing a date here and holding hands as we walk up to the theater as it looks quite romantic. The theater is designed in an intimate setting that seats about a 100 or so people, the stage is not big either but adequate for a good act. The play was wonderfully set against the perfect moonlight. The weather was chilly and the blankets they handed out were quite useful, what a nice gesture! Again another great place for a date (what better excuse to cuddle up).
Overall I loved this cute theater and will definitely come again.
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I've said it once, but I'll say it again... CalShakes is a hidden diamond of the bay area. I can't believe I've lived here for six years and only *just* started attending shows this year.
Romeo and Juliet (my favorite Shakespeare play) was flawless. I was amazed by the production value and the ambiance. The actors were stunning and I left the performance tingly all over - and no, it wasn't because my toes were cold.
Private Lives is HILARIOUS. Honestly, one of the funniest shows I've ever seen. And, learning from my first venture to the Bruns theater, I brought an extra layer and an extra blanket.
I can't wait for A Midsummer Night's Dream in September, and I'm already looking forward to next year's shows!
Bring a picnic, bring a blanket and bring a fun companion - this is the best date night ever. And make sure you get some hot chocolate from the cafe!
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Some things you should know about attending a production at the California Shakespeare Theatre:
* Unless its Monsoon September, wear a ski suit. If not, you will turn into a popsicle. Not a melty mushy popsicle, a hard as a rock, give your sister a bump with thump popsicle.
* Bring a bottle of wine and cups to drink while taking in the performance.
* Bring a bag of food to eat while taking in the performance.
* They have chairs now, no more Cold Stone slab Granite.
* There are bathrooms in two locations, (1) group of gender neutrals right outside of the theatre and (1) group up the walkway a bit that's gender specific.
* Give the Usher's some money so poor kids can love Shakespeare too.
* If your ski suit gives out, buy some delicious hot chocolate to warm your soul at the food stand.
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Theater Arts brings us all back to the roots, and has done so since civilized humans walked the streets. We saw a cute little play, broken up into 3 acts. Lovely sets, well put together actors however it sadly during our summery cold spell.
Never the less, I would suggest to dress warmly plus bring a blanket, unless the evening air proves to be 80 degrees.
The deli on site is quite nice, including the wine offered in their regular menu. We sat in the very back row, (the test of audible projection) and could quite convincingly say I heard approximately 97% of the play on that particular night. I was able to figure out what was the missing 3%.
Certainly, if you are up for something different than the usual movie, try Cal Shakes, its quite a nice experience.
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I absolutely adore this little gem in Orinda.
I saw Romeo and Juliet for my first time here and the setting blew me away. It is a lovely outdoor theater tucked away in the hills with trees surrounding the amphitheater. They have a full deli with great picnic food and you can purchase wine there as well. They have a patio with white Christmas lights that decorate the seating area. A little smoking area. Plenty of wooden picnic tables for people to drink and eat before the show starts. My girlfriend and I brought a bottle of red, cut up tea sandwiches, and a bag of M&Ms. We were giggly and so pleasantly enamored by our surroundings.
The most memorable part of my experience was the anticipation as we walked up to the picnic area. You can't see what it's like from the parking lot but the short walk up to it is so beautiful and dreamy. I went on a beautiful day, at sunset, so it's worthwhile to catch the evening shows and have a dinner there. Maybe I'm exaggerating, but I felt like I was on my way to some secret hide out in the hills.
Note: Don't worry about dressing nice (it's not pretentious). Bring LOTS of warm and cozy blankets with you. Or LOTS of wine. Most showings go till at least 11pm.
I'm in love with this theater.
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Quite the trip down memory lane, California Shakespeare Theatre is quite enticing. I got to go here from Yelp for Romeo and Juliet. The location is gorgeous, an open outdoor ampitheatre surrounded by the mountains. Warning, it does get freezing cold though, but they do provide blankets for a $2 donation.
I did not know what to expect and was pleasantly surprised. It was actually the whole play as I remember it from middle school. The set was nice, with great graffiti. One thing that caught me off guard was the modern costumes and motorcycles in the play. Romeo wore skinny jeans and a hoodie, and Juliet was wearing jeans and a tank top for most of the play. Really cool.
Acting was good, and they fit the entire play in under 3 hours, with a 15 minute break. Seating is designed so that it is almost impossible to have a bad seat.
The play ran late, almost 11 pm, but well worth it. It's a great intimate location, but very few bathrooms. Everyone rushes to them during the break. One break after an hour and a half while it's freezing cold may get to you. Parking can also be a pain. There is plenty a short walk away though.
Still, a great way to go see a play you have never seen before or relive a Shakespeare play you may have read back in school.
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Hooray, hooray! So close, so great, so beautiful!
Bring food, drinks, DEFINITELY bring blankets, and make ye merry.
Enjoy the show!
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I went to see Private Lives (four stars for it; five stars for the theatre). I wish I'd come here sooner! I mean, d-oh. It is so easy to get here by Bart - from 24th|Mission, it's under an hour door to door on a Sunday afternoon (thank you, shuttle driver!) The venue itself is beautiful, fully professional, modern, with lovely ushers (who helped me locate my friends), plus fine refreshments, civilized bathrooms and even a sculpture garden. Note, if you go to a matinee, be prepared to faint: it's hot in Orinda!
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If you're considering volunteering here...forget about it, unless you like being treated rudely by people with attitude! I just came from my scheduled and confirmed date to volunteer...I was 15 min. late. Yes, 15 min late. I introduced myself to someone (official I assume) in the House Management office. The response was, " And that is supposed to mean something to me?" He then directed me to a woman who made a point several times of telling me that I was late. "Usually I turn people away who are as late as you are. I have only one job left, that's if you want to do it." I said yes, what is it and she said most people don't like doing it and would only describe it to me if I was going to stay....several other exchanges like this and finally I said, yes, I guess I will leave. I mean how many times do they need to demean their volunteers? BTW I have volunteered for them off and on over the years, but I don't need to see their plays that much!!! And in the future, I won't!
What could be more fun than having an evening picnic, followed by a Shakespeare Play? Lots of things. But seriously, Cal Shakes is really fun. I feel so cultured eating antipasto and sipping wine, listening to the dramaturge talk about The Bard or whoever wrote the play of the evening. I love it.
Cal Shakes does four shows a season: two Shakespeare and two not Shakespeare. I recommend seeing all of them.
Tip: Bring vegetarian fare for your picnic. There are some yellow jackets around, and they love the meat, but will not bother you too much if you have only veggies. Another tip is to put a piece of lunch meat at the end of the table for the jackets to munch on while you eat your food unmolested. It's pretty amazing and science-y to watch them eat meat. They fly around with the pieces. Very cool.
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My husband and I love having date nights at CalShakes! Why? The grounds, the sets/themes, and the actors are all amazing. The theater, nestled in the Orinda hills, opens 2 hours prior to the show so you can pack a picnic (and yes that means wine too!) and enjoy the lovely grounds dotted with sculptures (art changes yearly) . You can also buy food at the cafe if you don't wait to bring your own. After we unwind during our picnic we pay the extra $2-3 for the comfy blue chairs which is way more comfortable than the plastic green chairs in the very front rows and on the sides. One of the pluses of the theater is their amazing sets and themes (think Shakespeare set in the disco era). The acting is top notch and revivals ACT or Berkeley Rep, in fact you'll see many Cal Shakes' actors in performances at those other groups. Unlike the Berkeley Rep though, there is no snob factor here and you'll see plenty of families with children in tow. For those under 30, CalShakes offers super discounted tickets so get a subscription and see a few plays instead of movies over the summer. Oh, and for those not too hip on Shakespeare (though I think this theater group could change that), 2 out of the 4 season plays are other playwrights.
For those newbies, a word of advice: bring your winter jacket, a blanket, mittens, and a beanie, even in July or August...trust me. After the sun sets it gets very, very cold!
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I'm going to go this season as often as I can, I promise. I really do love this theater experience, but I find the performances really spotty. I went to see Romeo and Juliet, and admittedly it is one of my least favorite shakespeare plays, but I was really unimpressed by the production. Still, the great outdoors inspires a certain amount of awe every time I come, and I'm getting better at preparing for evening with my blanket and my wine and my cookies. Its a very nice night out!
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I recently saw Cal Shake's production of Chekhov's "Uncle Vanya" at the beautiful Burns theatre. The actors are talented and they have great amphitheater style seating so there isn't a bad view in the house. The high walls block most of the wind, and the audience has a gorgeous view of the rolling Orinda hillside before dusk sets in.
They're very talented, have a great snack bar and put on quite a show; however, they nickle and dime you to death. $3 for chair rentals, $2 for blanket rentals and $2 for coffee? There's really no need for that.
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Peet's Coffee and Tea. Peet's Coffee and Tea. Peet's Coffee and Tea.
So apparently Peet's Coffee and Tea is a huge sponsor for Cal Shakes. The cocoa before the show started, along with the hot tea during intermission really saved me last night. Marry me, Peet!
The night started off with taking the BART to the Orinda BART station. From there, there's a free shuttle that takes you straight to the Bruns Amphitheater (which begins running 90 minutes prior to curtain time). The same shuttle takes you back to the BART station when the show is over. Hell yes!
We saw Twelfth Night last night. Loved the stage set (think 70's retro, drug scene). Loved the cross-dressing. Loved the amazing actors (one of them I took an acting class from during college- What's up Danny Scheie!).
For those night-time performances, bring the essential warm items (i.e., warm coat, blankets, thermos, beanie, gloves, scarf, etc). Don't forget to BYOB. Do keep in mind how much you drink (with the combination of coffee, teas ($2), hot cocoa ($2) and booze). All of that eventually needs to flush out and being cold doesn't help the situation when you have to go peepee.
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The absolute most beautiful location to see a play. And a quality play at that. Cal Shakes puts on top notch productions of Shakespeare (and more er, modern playwrights). They produce four main stage shows a season with the season running through the summer and into the fall. The final production of the season, King Lear, is up right now and I can't wait to see it. I hear there is a lot of fake blood and choreographed fighting involved. I am a huge fan of both of those things as I am very violent. I'm rarely disappointed after a show here and that's saying a lot because I see pretty much everything they put on. That is because I am highly cultured and worldly and shit and don't you want to date me? No? Moving on.
Cal Shakes is also a good place to bring dates because women go ape shit for this kind of thing. I can't tell you how many dudes in this theater are going to get laid after the show. But I'm guessing it's about two. Which brings me to my next point, it's an older crowd. Which I dig because let's face it, they are smarter and better than us. In every area except getting laid. Actually, they are probably smarter and better at that than me but this isn't my blog. OR IS IT?! Point is, I'm all about bringing the youthful joie de vivre to Cal Shakes in return for some magical, boozy, under the stars Shakespearean action. The other point is, I'm very alone in this world.
Some notes on preparing for your outing. Bring snacks and wine...they have a woodsy yet not dirty picnic area outside the amphitheater and it's fully encouraged (by me) to consume your weight in Chablis and Newman's O's before the show. If you plan to do this, please invite me. If you see a matinee, be prepared for warm/hot weather (GET NAKED!) and if you see an evening show, bring winter gear. And I mean camping gear. For camping on a polar ice cap in the middle of a snow storm on top of K2 because holy crap, it's fucking freezing.
I am dead on the inside. It's been a long winter.
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Seriously? You believe that Cal Shakes is a cover for a murder for hire organization? Really??
Man, I WISH we were that badass. But we're actually just a bunch of theater dorks putting on plays. And if we had the income of a major criminal conspiracy, we'd probably be able to, you know, afford to buy post-its for the office.
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It's kind of like the Mountain Play, only the productions are much higher quality, and the stage is closer to the parking lot. Also, you're there at night, so instead of heat exhaustion you're freezing, and there's lots of mosquitoes. But it is perhaps the most enjoyable night out of the city to be had. That is, for cultured people. If taking in a sweet production of As You Like It doesn't sound like a good time to you, this isn't going to work out with you and me.
The productions are top-quality and their annual fundraising gala is the place to see and be seen, hobnob with the glitterati, and watch rich people in their native habitat. Like a safari, almost. Anyway, give Cal Shakes money, because their productions, costuming, casting and acting are fantastic, and they're a local cultural institution. And lord knows you could use some culture, you ignorant asshole.
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While I do my best to steer clear of WalMarts, http://Amazon.com and other blights on commercial diversity, I do have to say that I am a fan of one-stop-shopping.
Cal Shakes is my one-stop, full service Shakespeare emporium.
Cal Shakes at the Bruns has entertained me for a long time now. I'm not sure how many seasons I've sat on either dripping June or balmy September evenings and been passively delighted by the ingenious staging and sonorous interpretations of this very fine local troupe. It's been quite a few, though...enough for me to have a special Bruns jacket with scarf and hat in one pocket and corkscrew in the other ready in the closet, always set to go.
But Cal Shakes is more than just a place to see good theater. It has provided a great service to my family. My daughter is a bit of a D.Q. (doesn't stand for Dairy Queen), so a behavior expert recommended finding a place where she could channel her expressive flair other than family gatherings and her classroom. Cal Shakes has provided - she attended their summer camp this year and while I was a bit surprised that her group would be interpreting and performing King Lear (she's 8!), the artistic learning group knew what they were doing. My daughter loved King Lear and channeled so much energy into portraying the evil Regan, our dining table became much quieter.
Could there be more? Why yes - I have found in them an opportunity to exercise my own artistic appetites. Cal Shakes offers adult learners amazing opportunities to study Shakespearean acting technique with their own associate artists as instructors. For the very reasonable price of $250 for 8 weeks I get to bask in the knowledge of the delightful Peter Callendar (you have to hear his voice to believe it) and even exercise my own D.Q. sensibilities. And it's right in my backyard - the CalShakes rehearsal space is right near Ashby and the East Shore freeway and couldn't be easier to get too.
Sometimes you just have to relish the coolness of living in the EB.
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Amazing - I have been here for many a CalShakes performance, and not only were the productions fantastic, but the venue is among the most beautiful I have ever seen.
I may be partial to the Bay Area, but biases aside, I really don't think it's very common to find an outdoor theatre nestled within beautiful hills.
One tip, no matter how hot that day was in the Bay Area, even if it was 100 zillion billion degrees, BRING BLANKETS or sleeping bags with you. It ALWAYS gets cold here at night. And no, a sweatshirt will not suffice, trust me. Candy, hot drinks, and various munchies are also highly recommended. Great place for a date if you're into theatre and/or snuggling up. :)
5 glorious, melodramatic stars!
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I love christmas tree lights. Not the multi-colored, big bulbed ones that swept the 80's or icicle lights, the more recent technoligical innovation, but the good ol' fashioned strings of little warm white lights. Especially when they're outdoors.
Bruns Amphitheater, home of Cal Shakes, is an outdoor amphitheater nestled amongst the trees of the Orinda Hills. Yes, it's Orinda - that's the other side of the tunnel - but the amphitheater is perfect. After all, the tree-lined paths and walkways to the theater are strung with Christmas lights! There's a great snack shack too and an area with tables and chairs (and christmas lights) for people to gather before and after the shows. Plus, you can being your own beer, wine, and picnic as well.
Just saw Restoration Comedy there this weekend - and I highly recommend it. The basic plot stems around a quad-plus-rangle of love. The characters were hilarious, the costumes were so much fun, and the black and white set was a work of art all on its own.
So the crowd is a little older - their youth discount tickets have an age limit of 30, but I'm not complaining, and if you're willing to put away with the pretense, you could have some fun.
On a side note, if you're looking to come across all sensitive-like to the ladies, where else can you go to the theater in a romantic outdoor setting and snuggle under a blanket?
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Cal Shakes is AMAZING. The shows are critically acclaimed, the grounds are sublime and the staff is pretty great too ;)
Hi Brigid and Elissa!!!!!!
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One of the best Shakespeare casts in the BA. Everyone gave total epic performances. Will always go back.
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I feel lighter, brighter, and happier whenever I step off the free shuttle that takes me from Orinda BART to the will call window at the amphitheatre. I'm proud to say that I'm a Young and Cheap subscriber (4 tix for $40!) -- which means that Cal Shakes probably loses money on ticket holders like me, but they've gained a fan, one who'll probably be subscribing and donating once she turns 30 and can afford to send in a little check. Their stuff is addictive.
I've seen a number of plays here -- Othello, All's Well That Ends Well, The Merry Wives of Windsor, and Restoration Comedy are the ones I remember off the top of my head. All have been excellent, all have been understood easily enough given that my lit classes in high school diverged from the norm and didn't teach much Shakespeare. I love the lighting, the beautiful & unique stage props and backdrops, even the owls hooting and the cows mooing in the hills.
I can't say enough good things about Cal Shakes -- though I probably should note that I bring my own food, since the picnic-style food that they serve here is just okay. Hawaiian BBQ is my picnic food of choice for the summer nights. Bring layers & blankets too -- it can get chilly (though when I saw Restoration Comedy last week, I sat in a tank top the whole time.... what freaky weather we're having!)
PS - Ok, since I know that Debbie Y. will read this - note that this is *outdoor theatre* -- Deb came w/ me to a performance, and while she was properly attired, another friend came thinking that we were going to the Theatre -- so dress in your jeans and fleece and sneakers. I've never had problems w/ mosquitos here - just ants, really - but bring bug spray if you must.
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OK, I admit it, I'm a Berkeley snob who prides herself on venturing only rarely over the hill or through the tunnel to "the other side"...so after Cal Shakes' move from its original location at John Hinkel park in Berkeley I didn't bother to go to see it for years. Shame on me. Just over the hill from Berkeley, set in an outdoor ampitheatre with the splendid backdrop of the East Bay Hills, are some very fine productions...we're still talking about the human/puppet dual cast of Comedy of Errors and we were floored by the exuberant dual shows of Nicholas Nickelby, parts One and Two last season. Can't wait for the next season!
Oh, and another huge plus - bring a picnic to enjoy before or after the show, or rely upon the high quality box meals, Peet's Coffee and other goodies at their caf. Sip your libation while enjoy fine acting under the stars...life in California can be very, very good...
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Being an artist myself, I have always enjoyed and had an appreciation for the theater. Some may say I have led a privileged life, but at a very early age my grandmother introduced me to the arts so now I'm into everything from the opera, to Broadway plays to Shakespeare.
I received complimentary tickets to view The Merry Wives of Windsor and couldn't resist not going. I even skipped school for it! I had never heard of this particular play and really had no idea of what to expect. But its Shakespeare so I knew there would be drama so I was ok with that. :-)
Once I got my tickets from the box office, I had to walk up a short pathway through a wooded area to get to the outdoor theater. Immediately I feel in love because I love outdoor theaters and I love being surrounded by nature. From there, I entered the theater and found my seat in the nick of time. The show started immediately.
I was pleasantly surprised when the first character came out. They were life sized puppets and very fun! The show was good and had I known it was going to be so fun I would have brought my 6 year old sister.
In reading the theaters information about upcoming events, I noticed they are putting on a lot of good shows. This is a good place to go for dates or with friends when your looking to enjoy the arts in a very relaxed environment...
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A beautiful outdoor setting with a free shuttle ride from BART--you have no excuse to not venture beyond the hills...
The show that we saw was fantastic, and there was a pre-show lecture given in a eucalyptus clearing that was filled with picnickers with wine and goodies. (If you can't get your act together beforehand, they sell food that looks pretty good.) It gets super super cold, and the blankets that we brought weren't enough, but no fear--they stock two large bins full of blankets that theatre-goer can use freely during the show.
Don't get distracted by the bats...
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Cal-Shakes rocks the house. They've got world class artists, a fabulous ( and have i mentioned extremely attractive?) production and artistic team, and there are almost always deals for cheap cheap cheap tickets (such as the under thirty $15 ticket).
They've got amazing special events such as "The Big Shin-dig" which feature drinks, DJ's and snakes-i mean snacks, food, not snakes...
There couldn't be a better place to bring cheese, bread, and a bottle or two of wine. Dress warmly, sitting outside gets cold...
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If you are under 30 they almost always have tickets left in the side sections for $15 each.
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/13/2008
I've enjoyed every play I've seen here. Even the ones that I didn't really understand had something… Read more »
Just saw the Merry Wives of Windsor here with a bunch of yelpers. The experience is really quite unique. First you take the BART to Orinda, and wait for the white van/shuttle to come pick you up to the theater. The theater is outdoors, in a beautifully forested area, with great fresh air, with the scent of eucalyptus all around you. Wonderfully shaded, this is a great place to be on a hot summer evening.
When you walk in through the MAIN entrance (by the stage) and it's a chilly night, make sure to pick up a blanket from the big box in front! You may just need it....
The Merry Wives was done partially with puppets and with some amazingly imaginative and funny costumes. The costumes basically become caricatures of the characters, to help you understand who they are very quickly. It makes the play very accessible to those that have not studied Shakespeare at depth.
This was a very fun, and funny play to begin with, and they made it even more funny with creative touches of their own.
Great performance. My only complaint is that they really needed to turn up the volume for the actors' microphones. I could barely hear what they were saying early on, since we sat in the very back...hahaha. that's what you get for free tickets I suppose.
Great imaginative show. Beautiful environment. Thoughtful service. The shuttle even took elderly folks up the hill from the parking lot.
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We went to Man and Superman, Saturday evening and as usual had a great time. I have also seen productions of Richard III and Alls Well that Ends Well, they have all been excellent. Now I could quibble with a choice an actor might make or an interpretation of the director, but I like being able to have the chance to be challenged. It is a great venue and the lectures about the plays 45 minutes before the show are very worthwhile.
So pack up a picnic, bring some warm clothes, and perhaps a blanket and have a great time.
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I have a love/hate relationship with Cal Shakes.
I currently have a subscription. I skipped subscriptions over the last five years, as baseball and work interfered a lot, but I'm trying again. But even when I didn't subscribe, I often went. I love Shakespeare. In fact, I just plain love live theatre.
I love the fact that you wear jeans. It's outdoors, so be comfortable. And many have written about the extreme weather conditions. I go for Sunday matinees so I can split the difference: it's neither too hot nor too cold. Still, I bring a jacket so I can layer.
I don't often like the choices the directors make. I hated the Merchant of Venice last season. Bad, bad choices (especially for a matinee). I didn't at all care for the Nicholas Nickleby plays, but the cast was excellent. The cast is always excellent; there's no argument there.
I don't care for the food much, either, although I'll usually get something. Get there early just so you can get parking. And be prepared to walk up a steep incline to get to the mesa. And if you ride in the van with the elderly 'cause you can't take the climb, be prepared for a lot of nasty smirks.
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Actually it's the California Shakespeare Theater....
Ok, so I'm biased because I work here, but this is one of the best places in the Bay Area to go for,
a. Good Theater in the great outdoors
b. Fantastic views
c. a picnic and a bottle of wine
Such a good place to take a date. Right outside of Berkeley and really easy to get to off of BART (take the Cal Shakes shuttle from Orinda BART station) Listen to the Coyotes howl during Iago's plotting, hawks diving overhead. This is truly a unique experience, and never fails to entertain. Extra points for the $10 tickets to those under 30 for the Big Shindigs, free beer, cocktails and food before and after the show. If you've never been you have to check it out.
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I loves me some Shakespeare, and outdoors is even better! Bring my own booze? Yes, please!
I was tempted to give Cal Shakes 5 stars, but I've been giving a lot of those lately, so...
What I love is the casualness of it. It's like a baseball game, but in iambic pentameter. Some groups of people have fancy picnic spreads -- big strawberries dipped in chocolate, champagne, the works. What I don't like quite so much is the drive there and back from San Francisco. But hey, it beats the heck out of driving to Ashland, OR.
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While i'm not the play-going type, i still had a blast here. They apparently like Peet's Coffee and TEA! alot -- While i like peets as much as the next guy, they take it to a whole new level. There is a nice snack bar and lots of tables if you want to pack a picnic before you head over. Had a great time.
Planning to head back soon!
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Cal Shakes puts on classical plays in their intimate, outdoor amphitheater nestled beautifully in the Berkeley Hills, just on the other side of the Caldecott Tunnel. I went to their production of The Merchant of Venice last week and really enjoyed it. I highly recommend their future productions.
In brief: the dialog was classical but with modern direction, costumes, and staging. The director did some really cool things with projectors and video cameras (reminiscent of Reality TV). And of course, the Bard is always bawdy.
And they have free blankets to ward off the Northen California night's chill. How sweet is that?
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Do not go to a matinee performance. Do go to a night show! Go to several!
In fact, go to an 8 o'clock show rather than a 7:30 show, because the later the better (it's an outdoor theater, silly. Don't you want to witness the play with the full effect of lighting?)
Wear and bring layers. It gets unpredictably and sometimes boneshatteringly cold and windy. But seeing the productions are worth it! Just be prepared.
My great dismay with Cal Shakes has to do with their hot chocolate. When it gets cold, all you want is to sip a nice thick hot creamy comforting hot chocolate... so of course every intermission I rush to the cafe there and order one. And of course every time I am deeply dismayed and faintly disgusted at their warm water mixed with hot chocolate mix. Disappointing!
Another disappointing fact about Cal Shakes is that they almost always cast their actors far older than their characters, particularly the female parts. It's not that their actors aren't up to snuff, it's just that their snuff is getting a bit unbelievable, romantic interest-wise.
But Cal Shakes is great. I recommend bringing a picnic or buying some food there at the cafe and having dinner outside at one of the many picnic tables before the show. A fine evening out... doors.
If you are attending a show with a disabled or elderly person coming to the show, the people working at the bottom of the hill will let you drive up to the top and drop off your guest, then let you drive back down and park.
Oh, and alcohol is allowed in the theater. But that's not the sole reason why I enjoy coming to productions at this respectable company.
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