Woodminster musicals in full swing

Some things are happily predictable, like Woodminster's summer slate of Broadway musicals.  The 42nd season opened on Friday evening, with a live-kicking production of Seven Brides For Seven Brothers.

There are five more performances scheduled for Seven Brides, including one at 8:00 pm tonight.  They resume again next week, from Thursday through Sunday.

Other Woodminster shows this season include Seussical™ in August, followed by The Pirates of Penzance in September.

Ticket prices seem quite reasonable for musicals, ranging from $23-$38.  Each paying adult may bring a child aged 16 or younger.  For Seussical, two kids may attend free with each adult (except one free on Saturdays).

In the expert hands of Director Joel Schlader and Manager Harriet Schlader, Seven Brides is a crowd-pleasing performance.  That's not too surprising, since the Schladers have been running these musicals since the 1960s.  Their talent includes professionals as well as aspiring actors they nuture.

On Saturday afternoon, I decided to visit the theater again and soak in the atmosphere without the crowds.  As I approached the backstage door, Harriet was right there and thought I might be a mom picking up her practicing kid.  No, but I asked and she let me wander around anyway.

What impressed me most?  Everything seemed so organized:  hats stored by style; old costumes tightly packed; and current scenery all neatly lined up.  There's a shop (locked) and also a large room where the actors hang out with all their stuff.  All these things fit into a relatively tight space.

While there's a current show, rehearsals for the next show had started too.  On stage, some music played as an actress learned her dance moves along with her coach.  A few other folks were milling around in front and in back - and things seemed, well, calm.

Woodminster Cascades  (Photo by Producers Associates)

Woodminster was originally built as a memorial to California writers - fitting since Joaquin Miller was known as the Poet of the Sierras. 

During March 1941, this theater was dedicated the people of Oakland "to inspire and advance the noblest aims of mankind."  Well, that's a bit much.

However, I think you would be inspired by the scenic site within Joaquin Miller Park.  Before a show, it's worth walking around the open-air theater to discover a uniquely-architected landscape.

There's an intricate set of cascades, which emerges from the back of the theater.  The water flows like a stream bed, through mini-ponds leading to the formal pools below.  The rock work is incredible, including thin stacks that remind me of a Frank Lloyd Wright esthetic.

Trees and other flora are fully grown now, planted symmetrically along with double-stairways that even Adah Bakalinsky, the doyenne of San Francisco's steps, would have awarded with a 5+ rating if she ventured to Oakland.

So make sure to catch a show this summer.  This tradition will make you appreciate the Oakland Hills in spades, whether you are a big fan of musicals or not.