Woodminster Summer Musicals
Wins Readers’ Choice Award

Oakland Magazine Readers Vote Woodminster Best Theater Company in the City

June 17, 2008 - Oakland, CA -- Producers Associates, Inc. announces that the Woodminster Summer Musicals have won the Oakland Magazine Readers’ Choice Award for Best Theater Company in Oakland. The award, announced in their June issue, was determined by an online poll of local residents. In the theater category, Woodminster (best theater company in Oakland) shared the honor with Berkeley Repertory Theater (best theater company in the wider East Bay).

The Woodminster Summer Musicals are performed under the stars at Woodminster Amphitheater, an open-air performance facility in Joaquin Miller Park high in the Oakland Hills. The park's spectacular views and serene woodsy environment made it the perfect setting for the amphitheater, cascades, reflecting pool, and paths that were originally built as a WPA project in 1939-40. For many East Bay families, it is a long-standing summer tradition to enjoy a picnic in the park and then see a musical at Woodminster.

Summer 2008, the company’s 42nd season, opens July 11 with the classic “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” playing through July 20. The season continues with “Seussical” August 8-17, and “The Pirates of Penzance” September 5-14.

Tickets for Woodminster shows range from $23 to $38, with children and seniors receiving a $2 discount. Season tickets for all three shows are also available, and provide about a 15% discount over the single ticket prices. In addition, Woodminster’s "Kids Come Free" program allows children 16 and younger to attend for free with paying adults (limitations apply.) Also, groups of 25 and more can purchase blocks of seats for half price, providing an affordable outing or a delightful fundraiser for a church or service group, neighborhood association, or any other group. For information about tickets, check www.woodminster.com or call 510-531-9597.

Producers Associates, Inc. was founded in 1967 by James and Harriet Schlader to provide affordable live summer family entertainment in the East Bay, and to foster a love of live theatre. For the last 42 years, the organization, in partnership with the Oakland Park and Rec Department, has been producing summer musicals at Woodminster Amphitheater. Today the Woodminster Summer Musicals sell more tickets per year than any other resident performing arts group in the city. Over 27,000 ticket holders passed through the Woodminster gates for the 21 performances of the 2007 season, including 3,000 children who attended for free under the organization’s Kids Come Free program. For more information about the 2008 season or history of the organization, visit www.woodminster.com.

- end press release -

Background information here.

Above, the cover of the June issue of Oakland Magazine, announcing the award. To see the full story, visit the magazine's website, www.oaklandmagazine.com.

Below are photos taken during a performance of West Side Story in 2007. Photos by Bob Morris.