Door County plays host to a healthy number of theaters, companies, troupes, and live performance venues.  Here are a few county mainstays:

The Peninsula Players are “America’s oldest resident summer theater” and they offer a truly unique experience. The professional production and talented cast are showcased in a beautiful setting. Open from June through October, check ahead to reserve tickets for a show during your vacation. The theater is situated on 16 acres of woods and gardens.  Before the curtain call, enjoy the Beer Garden picnic area and get a beer or a glass of wine from Luna Bar. Didn’t bring your own picnic?  The Canteen is serving up artisanal cheese, hot coffee, cold sodas, and snacks alongside the souvenirs. The fun doesn’t end at Intermission; head back out to the Beer Garden for their famous nightly bonfire!

The Door County Auditorium in Fish Creek is open year-round, and hosts both national and local entertainment. The Main Stage series features concerts and theatrical productions. Don’t miss the 62nd Symphony Season of the Peninsula Music Festival throughout August. In September and October, come back for the American Folklore Theatre’s Fall Season. The Fireside Coffeehouse Series offers an intimate, unique concert experience. Door County Auditorium has a lot more to offer, including a free lecture series, The Link Gallery exhibit space, and more recently, free movies. Be sure to find out what is waiting for you at the DCA!

If you missed  the American Folklore Theatre shows at the DCA and Ephraim’s Village Hall, catch their Summer Season in Peninsula State Park amphitheater. This open-air amphitheater is an incredible backdrop for these hilarious shows. AFT is a professional troupe that puts on original, musical comedies. All Summer shows are appropriate for all ages and they run about 90 minutes long.  It’s okay if you didn’t plan ahead; half of the tickets to any summer show are on sale at the box office, one hour before the show. You may bring snacks in with you, or you can purchase them at the Concession Booth. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in or around the amphitheater. Seats are wooden benches, so you may want to bring a comfy pillow.  Either way, the show will have you laughing in no time!

If hilarious isn’t what you are looking for tonight, consider something from the concert series at the Birch Creek Music Performance Center.  Birch Creek is a summer music school by day and home to a wonderful concert series at night, where gifted students and their performer/educators play together.  The season spans four separate sessions that focus on symphony, percussion and steelpan, and big band jazz. Catch a concert in the 100-year-old, renovated Dutton Concert Barn at the school, or at one of their engagements throughout Door County. Talented musicians and a beautiful setting ensure a wonderful evening.