Candlelight Pavilion Brings Broadway Caliber Entertainment to Claremont

You don’t have to drive far for first-rate entertainment, with the Candlelight Pavilion right here in Claremont.

Now in its 27th year, the Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theater is run by the Bollinger family. Every year, a wide range of productions are brought to life, from musicals to one night only concerts, which have been bringing patrons back season after season.

“We could not continue any of this without you, our loyal patrons, and we extend our deepest gratitude to you all,” writes Ben D. Bollinger on the Candlelight Pavilion’s website. “We hold great pride in your smiles and satisfaction, which is why our family is proud to present a year of upbeat and lighthearted entertainment.”

The Candlelight Pavilion is currently presenting Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida through June 3, with The Music Man hitting the stage June 8 through July 22. I recently attended performances of Fiddler on the Roof and The Drowsy Chaperone, and was so impressed with what I saw.

From the time you enter the Candlelight Pavilion, you are treated with grace. Guests are warmly greeted and then ushered to their seats, which are either on the main floor (there are larger tables for eight, or smaller, front row tables for two), or in smaller booths. One day, I’d love to see a show from one of the private balconies, perched above the room.

Since it’s a dinner theater, the price of your meal is included in admission. That includes a salad and main entree, with diners choosing either slow roasted tri-tip, a fish dish, a chicken course, or a vegetarian option. The menu changes with each show, and appetizers, drinks, and dessert are available for additional costs.

The tri-tip is always juicy, and served however the patron wishes (I always go for medium rare). Add the main course with the accompanying sides, usually a starch and some vegetables, and you have a very satisfying meal. Be sure to save room for one of the delicious desserts, like Southern bread pudding or the apple and mascarpone strudel, which can easily be shared by two or three people.

As you eat, a wonderful guitarist plays from the stage. The servers are polite and efficient, making sure everything gets out in a timely manner so the show can start promptly. Before the curtain goes up, the lights dim and everyone settles in, ready for the action.

The Candlelight Pavilion puts on productions most people have heard of, so the familiarity before the show even starts is nice. The sound is clear, the lighting is always perfect, and because the actors are wearing small microphones, you can hear from wherever you are in the room. The sets are always well made and accurate as to what is being performed; the stage was moody, with muted colors for Fiddler, and much more vivid and vibrant during The Drowsy Chaperone. But the main attraction, of course, is the acting.

When people think of theater outside of major cities, they can be quite snobbish. If it’s not in Los Angeles, Chicago, or New York, it’s just not worth seeing. That could not be further from the truth at the Candlelight Pavilion. Each and every actor on stage during both productions that I saw this year were top notch. These actors aren’t just reciting lines; they’re dancing and singing and weaving their way through the audience. For Fiddler, several of the men in the company did the most amazing bottle dance that left the audience astonished, and clapping for several minutes. My friends and I still talk about that scene.

I can’t say enough good things about the Candlelight Pavilion. For the money you spend on a ticket, you not only receive a tasty dinner (or lunch, depending on the performance you attend), but also an excellent show. I remember seeing Fiddler on the Roof and The Sound of Music here when I was a child, and I was entranced back then. Now as an adult, I’m even more dazzled.

For information on tickets, visit the Candlelight Pavilion’s website.

FACTS ABOUT THE CANDLELIGHT PAVILION:

More than 175 professional shows have been produced at the venue.

There are 299 seats.

The Candlelight Pavilion was founded in 1985.

This rest of this year’s season will include Returning to Sin City, Miss Saigon, Anything Goes, and A Christmas to Remember.