Petaluma Adobe to Become Backdrop for Theatrical Production

When was the last time you visited the Petaluma Adobe?

If you answered ‘never’ or ‘not in years,’ here’s your chance see the historic park in a new way and catch some theater under the stars.

The Sonoma/Petaluma State Historic Parks Association, in conjunction with the Sonoma Theater Alliance, is putting on their version of Shakespeare’s Two Gentlemen of Verona, a play about people in love and the foolish things they do.

Called Two Gentlemen of Sonoma, the production is a lively adaptation of William Shakespeare’s comedy restaged in pre-1840’s Northern California. Here Verona and Milan become Sonoma and Petaluma and General Vallejo, played by Petaluma resident Neal Fishman, and Captain John Sutter, played by David O’Connell, take the place of the Duke of Milan and Thurio.

“I think people will be surprised and delighted at this high quality production,” says Philip Sales, chairman of the Sonoma/Petaluma State Historic Parks Association board and former chief planner for Sonoma County Regional Parks.

The play is directed by Lucas McClure and features a cast of professional actors including Aidan O’Reilly, as well as veteran actors from Sonoma State, Solano College Theatre and Marin Shakespeare Festival.

This is Shakespeare’s only play with a dog so the cast includes Jasper, a roly-poly chihuahua, who just might steal the show.

Two Gentlemen of Sonoma kicks off August 11 and is a benefit for the park, which despite being saved from closure, needs some $200,000 worth of repairs, according to Sales. These include a new sewer system, new exhibits (which haven’t been changed in the past 40 years) and repairs to holes in the adobe made by nesting birds.

But beyond the improvements, the group is hoping to rekindle residents’ interest in the adobe.

“We want people to see that the adobe can function in many different ways,” Sales says.

Show times are Saturdays and Sundays from August 11 to August 26. The Petaluma Adobe is located at 3325 Adobe Road, Petaluma. Gates open at 6pm and show starts at 7pm. Bring a pre-show picnic or buy dinner from one of the food trucks. There will be a coffee wagon as well as guest wineries pouring. This is an outdoor production, so dress warmly.

Tickets are $22 available through the Sonoma Community Center Box Office either on line at sonomacommunitycenter.org or by calling 938-4626.