Shakespeare In The Vines

During the harvest season I was able to stop by and check out a performance. What a wonderful experience, smaller intimate stage and setting, nestled in the Vinyard of a famous winery. Almost as good as it gets.

In high school English, you may remember the mandatory dosage of William Shakespeare you were force-​fed in good measure.
No American teenager makes it to graduation without it, and daily whining about this compulsory boredom is a rite of passage.
At this Shakespeare event among the vineyards of Temecula, we were assigned a community table with student David and his British grandmother.
David, an evolved, cultured, and sophisticated high school sophomore, was there by choice! He talked of outgrowing the cringeworthy «behind-​the-​ear wraparound fist-​bump» habit he had last year. He dissected Shakespearean tragicomedies for us while eagerly awaiting the start of the performance. His passion was infectious!
Was Shakespeare this meaningful to me when I was 16? I reached back and became lost in memories of my own «teenage wasteland».
Figuring out who you are and where you fit in this world; trying to get girls to notice you; defining oneself by category a la «The Breakfast Club»; excruciating occasions of the parents trying to be hip; the shear terror of showering in the company of other men; remembering that godforsaken locker combo!
And of course there was English class.
The performance this evening was The Twelfth Night. Like David, I’m into it. If you weren’t paying attention in school — it’s a story of lost, mistaken, and hidden identities… trying to be somebody you’re not just to love somebody they’re not. In the end, we all contain pieces of each other– yet each of us is magically unique.
Anthony Michael Hall sums it up in the final line of The Breakfast Club: «What we found out is that each one of us is a brain … and an athlete; a basket case … a princess … and a criminal.»
Or, as Shakespeare put it: «All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts.»
And as I observed: «From the 17^th century, through my own teenage years, to now, the more things change, the more they stay the same…»
#TheStoryOfDavid
#ParentsArentHip
#ObscureLockerCombo
#FearShoweringWithMen

All The World’s a Stage (the famous phrase from William Shakespeare) appears to be correct!
In Temecula wine country, there is a formal stage in an unexpected pastoral setting — where one may enjoy many of Shakespeare’s famous plays surrounded by the grape vines. These plays take place during the summer months and run for several weeks. We attended the «Twelfth Night».
The stage is set at Bailey’s Vineyard and Winery. This is also the site of Carol’s restaurant (if you wish to have a more formal dinner prior to a performance). Shakespeare in the Vines offers Royal Table seating in front of the stage and row seating further back on an elevated grassy knoll. Royal Table seats are what we chose at $ 30.00 per ticket which included an anniversary wine glass for the season.
The venue offers a seated picnic area to enjoy prior to a performance (there is an extra large chess set here for those who wish to play the game). You are also welcome to bring your own food to the Royal Table to enjoy! For beverages, Bailey’s sets up a lovely wine bar with various red and white wines available for purchase in addition to light snacks, such as peanuts, crackers and chocolate.
Attending a Shakespeare production is always entertaining for the language alone!
This most famous playwright had an incredible vocabulary (that many of us may never develop). However, these words are kept alive through his work in the theatre. Shakespeare is credited for introducing approximately 3000 words to the English language and his use of words was thought to be double that of the average person.
This summer was our first visit for Shakespeare in the Vines. We plan to purchase season tickets for next year… as it was… as we like it!
#AsYouLIkeIt
#RoyalTable
#ExtraLargeChessSet

Love Shakespeare in The Vines. We attended the performance Thursday, August 20, and thoroughly enjoyed it! Moved to this area recently and was so happy to not only have found a wonderful theater group, but so close to home! Very talented and creative actors, the direction and whole production is top notch! I gave it four stars instead of five for the following reason: The offering for food and beverage is well, limited. Wonderful Baily wines are served and that was great, but it would have been wonderful to have some food items available, perhaps a local restaurant for catering some pasta plates, salads or bbq? I really think that would be a welcome addition to the venue… just a suggestion. I would have loved to have seen all of the seats not only filled, but brimming over with guests for this wonderful venue! Can’t wait for the next show, we are definitely fans!!!

I love wine and I love theater… and I love love LOVE this marriage of the two.
Given the fact that they are now celebrating their 10^th anniversary, I’m shocked that I hadn’t heard of this sooner! I noticed a friend check in on Unilocal and had a «Stop the presses, what’s this?!» type of moment and very soon after found myself purchasing tickets for my mother and I to one of the last shows in their Romeo and Juliet run… and wow am I glad I did. We both loved it.
The production was great. Such a talented group of actors. The energy on stage was infectious and the direction and interpretation was both entertaining and powerfully moving. We laughed and we cried… all while sipping our wine at our table. The set is simple but charming, and the energetic actors definitely made the most of it… the fact that it is situated next the the vines of the Baily vineyard brings even more character into it.
I did splurge for the «Royal Front Row Table» seating (hey, I was treating mom for her birthday) and I highly recommend it… We were up close and personal with the actors… I could feel the wind from the swords zipping through the air! You are also able to bring a picnic dinner to enjoy before the show, and Baily sells wines by the glass or bottle to imbibe before and during. Mom and I split a bottle of their «M&M» (Merlot and Malbec blend) and it was very enjoyable. The tables seat 10, and (unless you have a party of 8 or more where you can reserve a table), your placement at a table is first-​come-​first-​serve. I believe it is the same for the regular seating behind.
This was a great experience and I am already conferring with the friends to try and arrange enough of us to come and reserve a table for their upcoming Twelfth Night run later this month.
This is a great community event, and I hope it continues in its success.

Great actors! Not cheesy at all. Amber Boetger is incredibly talented as Juliet!
Beware, it is outside and there are no space heaters. It gets very cold so bring jackets and blankets.

Shakespeare in the Vines is an outdoor live performing arts theater set quite literally amongst the vineyards at Baily Winery in Temecula.
Every season there are several different plays with different cast, crew and director. Casting calls usually take place in or around May.
The artistic director and producers are talented actors, musicians and stage artists. I have had the pleasure of working as a stage manager and assistant stage crew with this fantastic company. My husband has performed in several of their productions, therefore we have been on both sides of the stage and can attest that this is a qualityed experience you won’t want to miss.
The outdoor setting lends itself to an ethereal feel. Even during summer months, Temecula Wine country is cool and breezy so I would recommend always bring a jacket, wrap or even blanket. They will also have a supply of blankets on hand but I’d still recommend bringing your own just in case they run out.
Prepare to indulge in some of the best wines in Temecula as you may purchase wine by the glass or the bottle while enjoying your performance. Bailys has my favorite selection of wines in all the wine country.
You may purchase seats in a traditional graded rows, seats are first come first serve general admission or for a slightly higher price you may purchase VIP seats at a round table front row ground level. Either way the seating, sound and lighting make it so that there really isn’t a bad seat in the house.
Keep in mind it is an outside venue, dress to impress but be sensible as there is uneven ground, gravel or dirt in small areas. It’s overall very well set up for all forms of attire.
Be prepared to laugh, cry, smile, chuckle, gasp at the fabulous antics and heart wrenching drama by these seasoned professionals! If you haven’t been to a production of SITV, you should not miss it, you’ll probably become a season regular like other attendees. Pull up a chair, pour the vino and wrap yourself up in some great acting!
See you in the vines. Tickets may be purchased on their website or at the door. I’d recommend purchasing in advance as they sell out quickly! You may also check out their Facebook page.

When you come to Temecula, one of the first things that comes to mind is Wine Country. You may or may not have heard of the performing arts scene in town, however Shakespeare in the Vines is a theatrical company based here in the Valley that brings the marriage of wine and classical theatre together amongst the beautiful backdrops of acclaimed local vineyards.
A yearly tradition now in its tenth year, theatrical classics are provided by local actors and artists. Though the majority of productions are Shakespearean, I’ve previously had the pleasure of enjoying a Jane Austen work (Pride & Prejudice).
Plays are usually held at Baily Vineyard & Winery and ticket options include front row tables with commemorative wine glasses. While currently patrons may bring their own food, drinks (water, soda, Baily wine) are available for purchase so you can enjoy a meal during performances. Bring a jacket for the evenings as it does get chilly outside.
I love SITV for what it is: fostering the appreciation and practice of the arts through the youth and community – the opportunity to enjoy a glass of vino or two is a bonus.
The season has just begun and plays will run all summer long with the likes of Julius Caesar, Romeo & Juliet, and Twelfth Night. Check it out, it’s a unique experience and highlight of this area!