Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. We provide ASSIGNED SEATS in chairs pre-set for you. Do not bring your own into the seating area of the stage. There will be seating spaces provided for those in wheelchairs. Our new venue at Wente features OUTDOOR THEATER IN THE ROUND. The audience will be seated around a hexagonal stage which has long “boardwalks” that thrust out into the spaces between the audience creating an intimate “in the round” theatrical experience! The stage is set on the large lawn area directly to the east of the tasting room. When purchasing tickets, the seating plan is set up North/South appropriate. So the Blue section is indeed facing West. That means a few minutes of setting sun, but it’s also the section with the best natural acoustics, so many of our older patrons prefer it. Just bring a visor for the few minutes the sun sets behind the buildings.

Due to state laws, only alcohol bearing the label of the winery or sold under the license of the restaurant/bar can be consumed on the winery/restaurant property.

Wente has a large parking lot available for patrons. There are paved Handicapped-Placard spaces right in front of the entrance. There is a dirt parking area close to the entrance gate as well. Swirl has parking all around the square block that houses BlackSmith Square. The FREE parking structure is only one-half block away on RailRoad Street.

NO BABES-in-ARMS; no children under the age of 5 admitted.

As the mom of two kids (13 and 7) I am getting a lot of questions about the “appropriateness” of the shows this year. As a general guideline, the shows are “PG-13” this season. With that being said, I am a huge advocate for exposing kids to live theater and guiding discussion with them to help them process intense subject matter.
— Katie Marcel, Managing Director

Othello is a tragedy and deals heavily with the issue of race. Subject matter includes jealousy, betrayal, murder and ultimately suicide.

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] is a short (90 minute) comedy in which all of Shakespeare’s plays are abbreviated and performed by three actors. It is bawdy and includes some sexual innuendo and language in what I would consider to be a “PG-13” tone.  However the pace, physical comedy and humor will be very appealing to younger kids and much of the sexual innuendo will be over their heads.

The winery has a grassy picnic area for patrons to use, as well as a few tables. Wente food and wine will be available for purchase, no outside food and wine is allowed. Wente is donating the venue for this production.  If you want to picnic before the show, you can purchase food from Wente’s Gourmet Food Truck. No reservation required. Picnic area opens at 6:00 pm. Swirl will be offering tapas-style fare for the holiday show.

It’s “California Casual” for most of us.  Shirt and shoes required, but you don’t have to dress up. Livermore Shakespeare Festival is an outdoor event, so dress accordingly for the shifting temperatures. Toss a jacket and hat in the car, bring a sun visor. Blankets are available for rental if needed.