Temecula's Shakespeare in the Vines

It is a warm summer evening in Temecula, California, and you might be wondering just what there is to do for fun…after all, it’s finally Friday! Or, perhaps you need a fresh new idea for a fun dating experience, one that will really impress. Maybe you are simply tired of the same old "dinner and a movie" routine that a typical Friday night might offer.

If you answered yes to any of the above questions then keep reading.

Temecula, California is known for its beautiful wine country. The breathtaking Temecula valley is within an hour’s drive from San Diego, Orange County, or the Palm Springs area, making it a local scenic get-away, and perfect for an evening under the stars. With over 30 different wineries to choose from, the Frangipani Estate Winery offers something just a little bit different from all the rest. The Frangipani Winery is the home to a local Shakespeare theater group called, Shakespeare in the Vines.

The non-prophet theater group, Shakespeare in the Vines was the brainchild of Sheila Havens Ryle, who established the group in 2006 after visiting the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Now five seasons strong, Shakespeare in the Vines performs three plays a season under the stars. I was lucky enough to attend all three of their productions this year which included, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Macbeth.

Now, some of you might be thinking…Shakespeare, really?  My answer to you is…YES absolutely!  Truthfully, I must confess, that in the past Shakespeare has frightened me.  I felt intimidated by the writing style of the old Bard, Shakespeare, somewhat unsure if I would actually understand what the plays were all about.  Believe me when I say, I was pleasantly surprised.  While I find Shakespeare’s comedies actually funny, the tragedies like Macbeth are moving and thought provoking.  I guess that is why Shakespeare is considered a classic, because the subject matter is timeless. 

Let me tell you how to do up the experience right… At the theater location itself, the Frangipani Estate Winery, the stage is set on a hill overlooking the entire Temecula Valley.  The plays usually start around dusk, which is 7:00 or so, but arrive early so that you can watch the amazing sunsets that happen every night there.  I would plan on being there at about 6:00… but the cool thing about getting there early is that the seating for the production includes several tables and chairs. 

Yes, you guessed it; you can bring a picnic dinner and eat it in the fresh air of the vineyard itself.  Although the tables have cloths on them already, I have seen people bring candles and flowers to add ambiance to the occasion, or maybe simply impress their date!  (Believe me, it works!)

The Frangipani Winery sells wine during the production but that is it, so if you would like to enhance your experience by bringing bread and cheese feel free to do so.  I don’t drink, so when I go I always bring Mexican food from one of the local Mexican restaurants… I guess it is just a tradition for me now!

If you are wondering what to wear to such an event, rest at ease, you can wear just about anything your heart desires. I like the California casual attire, but remember to bring a sweater, blanket, or someone to keep you warm; sometimes it gets chilly after the sun goes down.

As far as the actual production itself goes, the Shakespeare in the Vines Company does an outstanding job of bringing Shakespeare to life. I have come to love characters like Puck and Bottom from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, to shudder at the thought of Macbeth and his dastardly deeds, and chuckle at the antics of trying to combine all of Shakespeare’s plays into a one night show. I have seen the tragedy that happens because of jealousy in the lives of those during the time of Othello, and the comedy that occurs when twins get mistaken for each other in The Comedy of Errors. I think I am beginning to catch the Shakespeare frenzy, don’t you?

The tickets for the show run about $20 each, with a discount for seniors at $15 each. For the entertainment, the atmosphere, and the culture it is a real steal!

Schedule an evening of Shakespeare at the Frangipani Estate Winery, put on by the local theater company, Shakespeare in the Vines, for next season. 

It will be an evening to remember, in fact, you might find that you want to see ALL three productions of the season.  It just might surprise you how much you will actually enjoy Shakespeare!

So break free from the same place, same thing, routine and take a walk outside the box… step into the vineyard!